Essay Collection book Reviews

Reading collections of opinions and manifestos seemed to be something I only did in for GCSE English until the last few years. If there is a slant towards feminist works here, I make no apology; it took 37 years for my inner feminist to make herself known so I don’t feel it’s fair to ask her to sit quietly while the men do all the talking 😉

The Women Writers’ Handbook

When I first heard about the Women Writers’ Handbook and 20% of the sales going towards the Virginia Woolf statue fund, my inner feminist began loudly insisting I read it (my inner author grumbled about the commotion but I managed to soothe her with a cuppa and a biscuit).

The handbook is a fascinating collection of insights into top women writers’ inspiration, motivation and aspiration. It also includes short stories and poems, as well as interviews.

I was in awe of Jasvinder Sanghera as I read her interview; fascinated by the glimpse into the world of book translation shared by Gabi Reigh; empowered by the words of Raman Mundair who showed me that creativity doesn’t have to stop when you have children; and moved by Jaki McCarrick’s short story about helping someone to die.

This collection challenged my thinking in many ways and I think I’ll continue to dip in and out of it in future. Let’s raise a glass to the women writers who have gone before us, the women writers of the present, and the women writers who have a writing voice just waiting to be shared.