resistance

Isn’t it beautiful?!!

I seriously could not be happier and more proud of this cover. It perfectly expresses the powerful tone of the book. I get teary every time I read the flap copy:

“This book, this act of resistance, says our stories matter. Our lives matter. Our voices will not be silenced.”

In a collection that covers a wide breadth of topics, twenty-one YA authors share deeply personal thoughts and experiences about growing up female in America. These essays explore themes ranging from the intersection of race and gender to women and weight, from first sexual experiences to the devastation of rape culture, from the unique facets of being first- or second-generation American to the role of faith in our culture, and everything in between.

Ultimately, it’s a message of hope and empowerment from women who have built their lives around the idea that words matter. Voices matter. It’s time to use ours.

And do you see the names of all the incredible authors in the anthology?

Martha Brockenbrough, Jaye Robin Brown, Sona Charaipotra, Brandy Colbert, Somaiya Daud, Christine Day, Alexandra Duncan, I.W. Gregorio, Maurene Goo, Ellen Hopkins, Stephanie Kuehnert, Nina LaCour, Anna-Marie McLemore, Sandhya Menon, Hannah Moskowitz, Julie Murphy, Aisha Saeed, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Amber Smith, and Tracy Walker.

I am so excited for you read these amazing women’s stories….sometime in Summer 2018. I wish you could read the book right now, but alas, publishing moves SO SLOW.

(Until then, if you’re in the mood for a story about kick-ass girls joining together to fight rape culture, might I recommend pre-ordering my new YA novel, THE NOWHERE GIRLS, which releases October 10).

Amy

The day after the election, I found myself barely able to move. I was catatonic with fear, shock, heartbreak, hopelessness. This project was born in the place just outside those shadows, when I gathered my strength and became determined to channel those feelings into action and hope.

I believe in the power of narrative. I believe the personal is profoundly political. I believe in our stories.

Do you write? Do you want to do something to resist hate and ignorance? Do you want to offer hope and solidarity to young readers?

(And do you want to get published and paid for your work?)

This New Year, let’s all make the resolution to be the change we are looking for.

I can’t wait to read your story.

Love and solidarity,

Amy

[UPDATE (January 16): We have a title!

OUR STORIES, OUR VOICES: 20 YA Authors Get Real About Injustice, Empowerment, and Growing Up Female in America]

OUR STORIES, OUR VOICES Cover Reveal!

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS for non-fiction anthology about injustice and empowerment