Lena Dunham’s Famesick Essay Contest with Girls Write Now

Submission Form

Writing Prompt

So much of what we carry—anxiety, pressure, the fear of being seen as less than whoever we’re supposed to be—gets carried in silence. Talking about mental health is the first step to de-stigmatizing it. In 800 words or less, write an essay, story, poem, or in any genre, about a moment you stopped performing, named something you’d been told to keep quiet, or found relief in writing down what you couldn’t say out loud. Give us the real thing, not the polished version. Please note the June 1, 2026 contest deadline has now passed. Please stay tuned for Girls Write Now’s next writing contest!