ANTHOLOGIES
Girls Write Now Unmuted: The 2021 Anthology
Girls Write Now is thrilled to be in partnership again this year with Dutton, who produced this anthology. A special thanks to the team at Dutton—Christine Ball,Maya Ziv, and Lexy Cassola, and to Feminist Press and Jamia Wilson, who produced the ebook. Thank you as well to Amazon Literary Partnership for their continued support, which directly funds the production of our anthologies.

In the 2021 Girls Write Now Anthology, our mentees give voice to fear and silence, demand justice, and hold nothing back. To be unmuted right now requires a new brand of bravery, and these writers show how it’s done. Using stories, poems, essays, fiction, drama, interviews and more, they report on a global pandemic, a climate crisis and the movement for racial equality. They also invite us on their personal journeys through the labyrinth of young adulthood: feeling the rich soil of a neighborhood garden beneath their fingers; traveling through time in search of their parents; inhaling the charged air where young love is brewing. In a world pushed to the precipice of change, in a society that values the tried and true over the dynamic and new, the Girls Write Now class of 2021 is breaking the chains and showing what it means to speak loud, clear and true—to be unmuted.
Foreword by
Introduction by
Read What's Inside
Browse our collection of stories from inside the book. Complete with notes from the author and anecdotes from our mentees and mentors.
Stories from Inside "Unmuted" Coming Soon!
Stories from Inside "Unmuted" Coming Soon!
“Hope, to me, is the audacity that we can do more than just survive…” Carmin Wong’s Life@ GWN
Carmin lives and breathes poetry. Her unwavering commitment to both the art form and her community is truly inspiring. She recognizes the strengths and talents of young people, empowering them to speak, write, and see themselves as active participants in the ongoing literary conversation. Carmin reminds emerging poets that poetry is not only a powerful tool for self-expression but also a catalyst for radical change.
Speaking On Campus Activism
Featured Guests: Kathryn Destin, Anna Lapera, Amira Pierce, and Maya For our third and final part in our series on
Speaking On Environmental Justice
Featured Guests: Robyn Lam, Rosalie Turner, and Jordan Gass-Poore In part two of our three part series on writing as
Arcade of Life
An ode to southern Germany and my cousin, Marlene.
Cycle of Seasons
A collection of poems that showcases our collaborative efforts as a pair. The collection delves into themes of growth, nature, and self reflection.
When a Garden Cries, a Perfect Garden is Stained
When a Garden Cries, a Perfect Garden is Stained By Arisleny Benitez-Linarez & Samantha Isales Hernandez We were sitting on
RECIPE RECOLLECTIONS
Two takes on scattered memories about food, growing up, and their loved ones, as they find their place in recollections of the past.
Morning Stories
A poem that traces my memory through color.
Birthday Anxiety
I turned 25 on February 6, and I felt like I didn’t have much to show for it, but I realized I was letting my anxiety get the best of me.
The Odd One Out
The beauty of cultures lies within the intricate differences they hold. But when comparing them, one can't help but notice the way humans interact with each other, even if it's not in the best light.
Praise for Here & Now
From the Literary Community
Intersectional Voices in Editorial Print Committee
Every year, the Intersectional Voices in Editorial (IV Edit) Print Committee brings their talents to the task of editing, producing, and promoting this fresh collection of writing from today’s emerging voices. The committee is made up of mentors, mentees, and other volunteers who are passionate about diversifying the publishing landscape.