Celebrating the 2025 Anthology at McNally Jackson Books

Powerful readings, moving speeches & a night of community marked this year’s anthology launch party.

On Thursday, November 6, members of the Girls Write Now community came together to celebrate the release of Hope Lives In Our Words: Girls Write Now 2025 Anthology. The event was hosted at McNally Jackson – Seaport where a lineup of incredible mentees read the pieces that they published in this year’s collection. The night was kicked off by Kayah Hodge, a mentee who has been with us since 2022, as she discussed her role on the body that edits the anthology each year, the Intersectional Voices in Editorial – Print Committee. She was followed by mentees Camilla Spillmann, Keila Cruz, Lydia Bach, Mariam Faisal, Sophia Li, Madison Mailutha, and Nicole, who each read their pieces from the book.

There were many moving moments as mentors and peer mentees shared their work. While introducing her peer mentee, Nicole, Mentee Camron said that, while she was nervous at first to work with someone her age, they quickly became fast friends and incredible creative collaborators.

“We push each other to do things that terrify us, like speaking in public, and we take risks with our work,” Camron said. “I am very proud to say that I am her mentee. So, congratulations, Nicole, and she’ll be a New York Times bestseller one day soon!”

Some members of the community opted to share their work virtually. “The piece you are about to hear is trademark Lydia Bach, a name I am sure will one day grace the cover of a book jacket or two,” Mentor Hannah van Sickle said in a video that played to introduce her mentee. “Lydia, I am equally proud of and inspired by your passion for the craft. I am grateful our paths crossed at Girls Write Now, and I look forward to the next chapter.”

The night ended with lots of joy and chances to connect as mentors, mentees, committee members, staff, friends, and family all had the opportunity to talk and browse the bookshelves at McNally Jackson.

We are, as always, incredibly grateful to our partners who make our yearly anthology possible. Thank you to Dutton, the Amazon Literary Partnership, and Feminist Press for producing our book and e-book. This publication would also not be possible without the members of our Print Editorial Committee on Intersectional Voices whose tireless efforts ensured that the voices of our writers are heard.