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!
Speaking on Artful Mysteries
This week we have the pleasure of hearing a conversation between Mentee Alum Imani Okwuosa and Mentee Ijeoma Asonye as they dive into an excerpt from Ijeoma's forthcoming graphic novel, Allergy Girl.
Millennials vs Gen Z
Millennials vs Gen Z: the generational battle made famous by TikTok. But can we at least agree to fight the system together?
Speaking on More Than Poetic Teen Angst
Today’s episode features Mentees Chloe Lee(she/her) and Kayla Misa (she/they). You’ll learn about Kayla’s writing and creative process for her excerpts from one of her many poetry chapbooks. We hope you enjoy this insightful discussion about poetry, Asian identity, and embracing the silly parts of ourselves.
A Letter to My Grandparents
This letter was inspired by a prompt and written after I came back from visiting my grandparents in Japan last summer. It is a letter of eternal thanks and love.
A Necklace of Pearled Dreams
"A Necklace of Pearled Dreams" narrates the story of my grandmother's beautiful pearled necklace, a cherished family heirloom, and how its meaning transformed and developed through generations.
Deliberately Feathered
Winner of Passing Down Our Stories: A Writing Contest Hosted in Partnership Sweet July Deliberately Feathered By Kayla Misa Winner
Here We Are Again
Runner up in the Sweet July x Girls Write Now Contest: Passing Down Our Stories
Guide to Defrosting
A Writing Contest HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Sweet July Guide to Defrosting By Chelsea Zhu FINALIST Sunrise and I wake
Sweet Home
A Writing Contest HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Sweet July Sweet Home By Zaynab Ahmed FINALIST Midsummer, sweet july Home is a
Threads of Resilience: A Tale of Family Traditions
The poem intertwines the narratives of Palestine and Bengali heritage, celebrating resilience and solidarity. Through storytelling and shared struggles, it portrays the enduring legacy passed from generation to generation.
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.