EDITORIAL

Holding out for a heroine

ARE the good old days of women’s publishing over? Does it matter? As one of the few remaining independent feminist publishers, the Women’s Press, fights to secure investment (see News for an update), it’s time to ask whether such enterprises have become outmoded.

A general theme in this issue is support. Danuta Kean looks at whether mainstream publishing is taking care of women’s interests and asks whether we still need the support of the feminist presses. Sarah Bower discovers whether those who come to writing later in life are nourished by the industry. And what about some self-support? Writing coach Bekki Hill tells how we can purge ourselves of the negative voices that seek to scupper our goals, while Editor Debbie Taylor offers advice on how to accentuate the positive voices and give ourselves a boost. But when we really need bolstering, says writing therapist Gillie Bolton, it’s time to turn to our best buddy – writing.

Melanie Ashby
Deputy Editor