ANTHOLOGIES
Taking Our Place in History: The Girls Write Now 2020 Anthology
Girls Write Now is thrilled to be in partnership with Dutton, who produced this year’s anthology. A special thanks to the team at Dutton—Christine Ball,Maya Ziv,Marya Pasciuto and Hannah Feeney, and to Feminist Press and Jamia Wilson, who produced the e-book. Thank you as well to Amazon Literary Partnership for their continued support and for recognizing Girls Write Now as a 2020 grant recipient, which directly funds the production of our anthologies.

The Girls Write Now 2020 class of mentees are using their voices for change in one of the most uncertain periods of modern history. This book invites you into their homes and families, their schools and neighborhoods, their hearts, hopes, and fears. Enter a world where clay creatures take on aluminum oppressors. Get thrown against an elevator wall in the midst of a horror story. Go backstage with a rock band, say goodbye to relatives as you start a new life, stand with an engineer solving a coding problem. Stare out from a coffin—or up at whales in the sky—and fall in love with the color of your skin. Experience tragedy in a mosque, feel the wounds of slavery, know the terror of glass shattering in a World War II village, and see how this next generation of leaders look to the past and write their present to create a better future.
Introduction by
With a Poem 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 "Taking Our Place in History" Coming Soon!
Stories from Inside "Taking Our Place in History" Coming Soon!
Time
As a young adult I have gotten to understand how precious time is and why I should progress as time goes on.
My Random Autobiography
I never write about myself, so with this piece I wanted to try that. It’s an introduction to who I am and explores who I am becoming.
Opening Up
This year, Carlene and I have made it a resolution to begin opening up. I'm passionate about these pieces because they show our struggle asking for help, and how just a little effort can go a long way.
The Infamous Catcall
This piece is a revolution. Living it and writing it changed me as a woman, and hopefully once you read it, you will be inspired to start your own revolution with me.
Nappy
This poem is me taking back the word "nappy" to make it beautiful.
Fighting Back Against My Culture by Reclaiming My Curls
Going natural has taught me a good lesson about loving myself, especially the parts of myself I cannot change.
A Time to Heal
Anything can happen when I am holding the pen.
Letter to Younger Me
Hello! How's your life in China? I hope you don't throw this letter away once you see it's in English…
Butterfly Wings
I have always been fascinated with butterflies: their ephemeral incandescence and natural metamorphosis astounds me. Across cultures and regions, butterflies are symbols of hope and change. In New York City, there are few butterflies of the sort captured by glossy magazines, but the many revolutions emblazoned across monochromatic newsprint serve in their stead.
Papi
Papi, I know —
Taking Our Places in History
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.