ANTHOLOGIES
Here & Now: Girls Write Now 2024 Anthology
In partnership with Dutton Books, Dottir Press, and Amazon Literary Partnership, Girls Write Now is thrilled to announce our newest publication, Here & Now: Girls Write Now 2024 Anthology. Available from Books Are Magic, McNally Jackson, and Amazon, the anthology is a multi-genre showcase from our 25th year of mentoring and training the next generation of young voices.

Do not read this book, unless you want to know what real humans are thinking. Taking poetic license to express things in ways that make AI fear it will be replaced by humans, the stories in these pages reflect the here and now: a collective urgency as the pandemic recedes, the world overheats, wars overwhelm, and the national discourse is conducted in a language far from love. In these pieces, cooking unites families, supermarkets become places of connection and adventure, neighbors evolve into mermaids as the sea levels rise, and every month nails are trimmed to cut down memory. The smallest gifts in life become impossible blessings of gratitude. There is a sense of battle with the norms and an understanding that things are not right, but they will be. This anthology is evidence of a future worth fighting for in which the long tradition of building community through the written word is upheld during the highs, lows, and everything in between.
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 Here & Now
Stories from Inside Here & Now
Simple Recipe for Ten Minute Ginger Tea
frame family in doorway, huddled on charcoal couch, ad break muted in favor of bad jokes, laughter gentle–wait for the punchline to pour gush of warmth into mugs, clink spoon to make sonorous honey hum to mellow ginger buzz
Speaking on Finding Joy in the Mourning
In this episode, you’ll hear a lovely conversation between mentee Allison Sengkhounmany, a high schooler from New York, and mentor Davia Schendel, a musician and performer.
I Am Mother Nature
Earth is often referred to as Mother Earth. I wanted to explore this idea: how "Mother" Earth would sound speaking to humankind about the atrocities inflicted on her. The use of repetitions appealed to me.
dear mother
A speaker reflects on their treatment of their mother.
Dear You
Dear You By Julia Mercado Dear You, You are the one who never washed your hair, wore the same sweater
Speaking on Brushing Up on Your Comedy (Literally)
In this episode, you’ll hear Mentor Tracy Morin, a magazine writer and editor, talk with Mentee Ava Fung, a high schooler from New York City, about her humorous non-fiction piece, “Toothache.”
See It When You Believe It
In this piece, I explore how a change in our mindset can influence our experience of reality.
Technopocalypse
This poem was inspired by the March 9 workshop "Think Like an Elite Athlete." It explores the game Technopocalypse and its attempt to rid our addiction to technology.
Exile of the Innocent
When I look at this piece, I see someone who is maturing and moving forward with their life, but first, they have to let go of something holding them back. I can also envision a parent letting go.
A MONTH IN REVIEW: ABROAD IN COPENHAGEN
Excerpts from a travel blog about studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Praise for Here & Now
From the Literary Community
Anecdotes from Inside
Mentees & Mentors share their experience working together
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.