#BookReview: The Women Writers’ Handbook ed. Ann Sandham @aurorametrobook

 

 

 

A revised edition of the publisher’s inaugural publication in 1990, which won the Pandora Award from Women-in-Publishing.

Inspirational in its original format, this new edition features poems, stories, essays and interviews with over 30 women writers, both emerging authors and luminaries of contemporary literature such as: A.S. Byatt, Saskia Calliste, April De Angelis, Kit de Waal, Carol Ann Duffy, Sian Evans, Philippa Gregory, Mary Hamer, Jackie Kay, Shuchi Kothari, Bryony Lavery, Annee Lawrence, Roseanne Liang, Suchen Christine Lim, Jackie McCarrick, Laura Miles, Raman Mundair, Magda Oldziejewska, Kaite O’Reilly, Jacqueline Pepall, Gabi Reigh, Djamila Ribeiro, Fiona Rintoul, Jasvinder Sanghera, Anne Sebba, Kalista Sy, Debbie Taylor, Madeleine Thien, Claire Tomalin, Ida Vitale, Sarah Waters and the great-niece of Virginia Woolf -Emma Woolf.

Together with the original writing workshops plus black and white illustrations. Guest editor Ann Sandham has compiled the new collection to celebrate Aurora Metro’s 30th anniversary as an independent publisher.

20% of profits will to go to the Virginia Woolf statue campaign in the UK.

See more at: https://www.aurorametro.org/virginia-woolf-statue

To donate to the project go here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charityweb/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=VirginiaWoolfStatue

 

 

 

This is an interesting book comprised of poems, questions and answers, essays, interviews with authors and even writer’s workshop ideas. It definitely highlights the inequalities female writers face that unfortunately still exist today.

It’s easy to forget that female authors were marginalised by the publication industry more than they are today. Yes, some female authors were popular such as: Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Margaret Atwood, the Brontës and Agatha Christie to name but a few but it’s taken successful female authors to allow women writers to be more widely published.

Despite this, the book remains largely positive and has useful tips for aspiring female writers. I can see this being a book I may potentially come back to when I finally decide to take the plunge and have a go at writing a novel.

I was hoping the book would have included more tips for aspiring writers than essays, but it still made for enjoyable reading. It’s an informative read with practical advice from both new and experienced writers that will be useful for new and current writers alike.

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Happy reading,