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: Annie Marhefka
Annie Marhefka is the executive director at Yellow Arrow Publishing; she has a BA in creative writing from Washington College, an MBA, and is an MFA candidate at the University of Baltimore. When Annie is not writing, she is usually trying to find her way back to the water.
Where are you from: Baltimore, Maryland
Tell us about your main writing space in three words: cozy, cluttered, warm.
Tell us about your publication: Strangers We Know By Heart is a collection of hybrid love letters to strangers and was the winner of the 2025 Garden Party Collective chapbook contest. It is available for preorder now at gardenpartycollective.bigcartel.com/product/strangers-we-know-by-heart-by-annie-marhefka!
Why this book? Why now? How did it happen? Years ago, a stranger sent my mother a letter that was the most impactful demonstration of empathy I have ever experienced, and that act of bravery has stuck with me since that time. I started writing these love letters to strangers a few years ago and found it was both moving and comforting as a writing practice, imagining myself in someone else’s shoes and addressing them through my writing. I started sharing them at some point—a letter to my hairstylist, my child’s teacher, my favorite bartender. I realized that even though we aren’t living in an isolated time anymore, a lot of people still feel isolated, or misunderstood. I’ve always gravitated toward writing about human connection, but writing directly to someone you don’t know or hardly know is sometimes scary. But in every interaction between two strangers, there is a possibility for connection. That has been my hope for these pieces.
What advice do you have for new writers? Someone with a book that needs a home? My advice is to connect with other creatives! Writing does not need to be an act of isolation—it can be an act of community building, too. My work has grown so much stronger because of the talented folks I get to work with at Yellow Arrow and those that I’ve met at Baltimore literary events.
What else are you working on/doing that you’d like to share? I spent most of my career working as a human resources executive, so I’m currently combining my passions working on a collection of nonfiction essays that are written in various HR forms (employment policies, FAQs, job descriptions, etc.). It’s been really fun to play with the structure!
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!
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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.