About Girls Write Now
News & Press
Girls Write Now has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Teen Vogue, The Today Show, Book Riot, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and many more.
Girls Write Now Mentee Ariel Zhang Wins Lena Dunham’s Famesick Writing Contest!
Announcing Grand Prize Winner of Girls Write Now's Mental Health-Focused Writing Contest in Partnership with Lena Dunham and Random House.
Kirkus Reviews Praises Girls Write Now’s Forthcoming Anthology, Metamorphosis
Kirkus Reviews Describes Metamorphosis: Girls Write Now 2026 Anthology as Sincere Engagement and Effort.
Mentees Envision Their Future at NBCUniversal’s Career Inspiration Camp
As a student coming from California coming to this camp was a great way to get exposure in the media
New York City Poetry Festival Features Girls Write Now Poets & Performers
Join four mentees for an afternoon of poetry on identity, resistance, and coming of age. Girls Write Now takes the Youth Stage at The New York City Poetry Festival on Sunday, July 19 at 2 PM. The 15th Annual Festival takes place at Nolan Park on Governors Island—this will be the second time our mentees grace the Poetry Festival stage. Registration is free—all you need is the $2.75 ferry fare. We look forward to seeing you there!
Girls Write Now with Melinda French Gates as She Launches her New Book
Girls Write Now was invited to hear Melinda French Gates speak at the New York City Center about her new release, The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward. The book is published through Moment of Lift and Flatiron Books, an imprint of Girls Write Now partner Macmillan Publishers. Girls Write Now is also a three-time grantee of Melinda Gates' Upswing Fund for Adolescent Mental Health.
Mentee Lydia Bach Makes Waves with Recent Publication, Today Show Appearance & Frazzled Lit Shout-Out
Congratulations to mentee Lydia Bach, whose list of accomplishments has been growing exponentially this year, including a publication, a feature on the Today Show, and inclusion on a short story longlist!
Rupi Kaur Shouts Out Girls Write Now on The Kelly Clarkson Show for International Day of the Girl
Poet and Girls Write Now Honoree Alum Rupi Kaur gave Girls Write Now a shout out on the Kelly Clarkson Show in honor of International Day of the Girl.
Latest News
Latest News
2025 Pride Month Book Recommendations from Girls Write Now
We asked Girls Write Now mentors, mentees, and staff members to share some of their favorite books featuring LGBTQ+ topics and narratives. The result is a beautiful list representing the many shades of gender and sexuality present in our community and beyond. From sapphic romances to poetry about queer bodies, there's something for every kind of reader in our list.
Girls Write Now Honors the Life of Simera Ladson
On Friday, June 06, 2025, Girls Write Now mentee alum Simera Ladson tragically passed away at the age of 23. In the words of her friend, Chantel, “[Simera] was a Girls Write Now pioneer throughout high school and was loved by the community and her mentor. She was an amazing writer whose impact reached beyond the page. She absolutely loved this community.”
Publisher’s Weekly Announces Upcoming Publication of Girls Write Now Mentor Hanna R. Neier’s Debut Novel
The middle grade book is written in letters between 12-year-old Ellie and her school-assigned pen pal, Daniel.
What We’re Reading: Under the Neon Lights
In this sparkling and heartfelt debut YA novel in verse by Girls Write Now mentor alum and Friday Night Salon teaching artist Arriel Vinson, a young Black girl discovers first love, self-worth, and the power of a good skate.
A Musical Collaboration with Girls Write Now & Berklee Students
In collaboration with Ellen Francese and her students at the Berklee College of Music, we are proud to present five songs based on poems by Girls Write Now mentees.
What We’re Reading: Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls
Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir by Tessa Hulls has won the Pulitzer Prize! Feeding Ghosts traces the reverberations of Chinese history across
LitNYS LitNews: May 2025
LitNews NYS, June Letter: Leading in a Liminal Season Statewide Convening Sept 14-16 + Individual Giving Session June 18
Girls Write Now Mentor Launches CHISMOSA Zine
Girls Write Now Mentor Celeste Alyssa Gomez has launched CHISMOSA alongside fellow LA-based Latina poet Sofía Aguilar.
Mentor Joanna Szeto Publishes Story in 101 Words
Short fiction leads to big mentoring moments for Joanna Szeto and Kayla Martinez.
What We’re Reading: The Ambition Trap by Amina AlTai
In The Ambition Trap, leadership coach Amina AlTai, who has blurbed the forthcoming Hope Lives In Our Words: Girls Write Now 2025 Anthology, shows you how to break the cycle of overwork.
