Her View Friday
Yellow Arrow Publishing supports women-identifying writers from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger. Women’s voices have historically been underrepresented in literature, and we aim to elevate those voices and stories through our programs, publications, and support.
Part of our mission in supporting and uplifting women writers is to promote the Yellow Arrow community’s individual accomplishments. We’d like to further expand that support and promotion outside of our Yellow Arrow publications. Twice a month, we’d like to give a shout out to those within the Yellow Arrow community who recently published:
single-author publications
single pieces in journals, anthologies, etc., as well as prizes/awards, book reviews, and podcasts/interviews
You can support our authors by reading this blog and their work, sharing their news, and commenting below or on the blog. Congratulations to all the included authors. We are so proud of you!
Every writer has a story to tell and every story is worth telling.
Author: Melanie Hyo-In Han
Born in Korea and raised in East Africa, Melanie Hyo-In Han is a poet, translator, and PhD candidate in creative writing. She holds an MFA in poetry and translation and is the author of My Dear Yeast and three chapbooks, as well as the translator of several collections of Spanish poetry. Melanie has received awards and fellowships from Sundress Academy for the Arts, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Kees Eijrond Foundation, and elsewhere. Currently, she is the Coeditor-in-Chief of Flora Fiction and Two Languages Prize Editor at Gasher Press. Learn more at melaniehan.com.
Where are you from: Korea/East Africa
Tell us about your main writing space in three words: sunlit, airy, quiet
Tell us about your publication: My newest poetry chapbook, Passing Notes in Secret, was published in August 2025 by boats against the current. It’s a collection of poems that examines South Korea’s colonial history alongside themes of identity and belonging within the Korean diaspora. By moving between continents and languages, I reflect on how history shapes personal narratives and collective memory, as well as the ways culture is carried, adapted, and preserved through generations.
Why this book? Why now? How did it happen? I started writing this collection in order to connect with my Korean family’s past after reading Min Jin Lee’s novel, Pachinko. While reading the book, I realized just how little I actually knew about Korean history, so I decided to interview my grandparents and ask them about what it was like to live through the Japanese occupation of Korea, as well as through the Korean War. Talking to them encouraged me to start writing about their lives and my own stories of having grown up as a member of the Korean diaspora. What had started as a casual conversation with my grandparents turned into research about Korean history and led me to the writing of the poems in this chapbook.
What advice do you have for new writers? Someone with a book that needs a home? Don’t be afraid to send your work out. Your voice is valuable, your work is important, and your story belongs in the world.
What else are you working on/doing that you’d like to share? I’ve had the privilege of partaking in several writing residencies this past year (I’m currently at one in Costa Rica!) and have absolutely loved having the dedicated time and space to reflect, read, and write. I’d really encourage every writer to go on a writing residency and see what a change in scenery and pacing can do to fuel creativity and one’s sense of possibility!
Yellow Arrow (past and present) board, staff, interns, authors, residents, and instructors alike! Got a publication coming out? Let us help celebrate for you in Her View Friday.
Single-author publications: here.
Single pieces as well as prizes/awards, book reviews, and podcasts/interviews: here.
Please read the instructions on each form carefully; we look forward to congratulating you!
*****
Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women-identifying writers through publication and access to the literary arts. You can support us as we BLAZE a path for women-identifying creatives this year by purchasing one of our publications or a workshop from the Yellow Arrow bookstore, for yourself or as a gift, joining our newsletter, following us on Facebook or Instagram, or subscribing to our YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated via PayPal (staff@yellowarrowpublishing.com), Venmo (@yellowarrowpublishing), or US mail (PO Box 65185, Baltimore, Maryland 21209). More than anything, messages of support through any one of our channels are greatly appreciated.