Creative Writing
Laili’s essays are intimate reflections on her experiences with childhood homelessness, growing up in a mixed-race family, and leaving her abusive engagement. She was a finalist for the 2021 Crazyhorse Nonfiction Prize (now the swamp pink prize) before publishing her first essay, in 2022. Since then, she has been a Periplus Fellow, a finalist for The Anne C. Barnhill Prize for Creative Nonfiction, a Pushcart Prize nominee, and winner of the Porch Prize for Creative Nonfiction.
“Sunflower”
Winner of The 2024 Porch Prize for Creative Nonfiction
Published in the Spring 2024 issue of SWING
"A breathtakingly beautiful essay that captures the complexities of family relationships and the lasting impact of childhood experiences. "Sunflower" transports the reader into the author's world, exploring the confusion, longing, and resilience that characterize her family's struggles.
The recurring symbolism of the sunflowers serves as a powerful thread, tying together the different aspects of the story and representing the author's search for stability, peace, and comfort in the face of adversity. While deeply personal, "Sunflower" touches on universal themes that make the story relatable and meaningful to a wide range of readers, ultimately highlighting the author's growth and ability to find solace in the memories of her childhood."
–Matthew Vollmer
Judge, The Porch Prize, 2024
“Fossils”
Finalist for The 2023 Anne C. Barnhill Prize
Nominated for the 2023 Pushcart Prize.
Longridge Review Fall 2023 Issue
“Things that I wish my father had said”
2023 Periplus Call & Response Anthology
“Summation”
Hennepin Review August 2022 Issue