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Ellis's avatar

Wonderful post!

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Janet Hulstrand's avatar

@SuzanneVickberg I am really interested in your story. I too couldn't accept that the end of my marriage had to destroy our family. My husband and I have managed to create a similar (though not identical) more or less happy ending to our story. Thank you for telling your story, I'm sure it will inspire others to find creative ways to have a better-than-typical outcome when a marriage fails.

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Janet Hulstrand's avatar

Hi Anne, Thanks so much for this generous invitation for us to share our work! My memoir, A Long Way From Iowa: From the Heartland to the Heart of France is a three-generation story of a love of reading, writing, and travel passed from my grandmother, to my mother, to me. Kind of a coming-of-middle-age story featuring belated recognition of how much I owed both of these women--and the story of my own faltering (but ultimately successful) steps into a writing life. Thanks for giving all of us audacious women the chance to share our stories, and learn about each other's as well! https://janethulstrand.com/advance-praise-for-a-long-way-from-iowa/

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Thank you for sharing, Janet. I love that your story is about rediscovering what the women who went before you contributed to your own life! Sounds amazing!

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Elaine Pigeon's avatar

Such an impressive group of new books, many of which I'd love to read. Congrats to all, and thank you Anne for presenting the work of these audacious women writers. It's all so inspiring!

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Gina N. Brown's avatar

Hello. Wow, so many intriguing books to check into! TY.

In May 2024, I released my second novel, The Sugar Bowl Feud. Here's a brief summary:

Four siblings inherit their mom's house full of stuff. And they all want the same item. What could possibly go wrong? Set in small-town Nova Scotia and told with compassion, frankness and humor, the novel explores the overwhelming grip of grief through the eyes of each sibling as they do their best to cope with daily life.

FYI, I self-published it because I'm 65 and didn't want to spend five years pitching agents and publishers only to receive a lukewarm "no thanks." Time's a wastin' LOL. If you would like more details, https://www.novaheartmedia.com/

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Janet Hulstrand's avatar

It does sound wonderful, Gina! And what a great way to frame it, through that emotional rollercoaster ride of emptying a house full of memories AND stuff! (PS Couldn't agree with you more about waiting around for agents and publishers. At a certain age, who has time for that?!)

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Sounds wonderful, Gina! And I love that you didn’t wait around for anyone’s permission or approval! So inspiring!

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Sarah Frison's avatar

Does it count if we had a book come out late last year? If so, hi, I published a book late last year called 'The Festive Belgian Bakery - Holiday Edition' 🥳🎄. Otherwise I do have a recipe bundle coming out in the Fall but that will be digital-only because it's going to be a part of an upcoming printed cookbook.

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Yes! Thank you, Sarah. Sounds delicious!

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Anne Walsh's avatar

I have a book coming out in October called "Hate Excel? How to love the software that can transform your confidence and career" which is aimed at people (particularly women) who hate Excel and allow that hatred and fear hold them back in their career. It uses the structure of a detective story. The list of books here looks fascinating. Thank you

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Interesting, Anne! Sounds like a very creative approach. (And I’m one of those women, so I should check it out!)

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Anne Walsh's avatar

Many women hate Excel and that fear it holds them back in their career. I have met so many of them in my career as a freelance trainer. I really believe that if people could lean into it, it could open many opportunities for growth.

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Alecia Stevens's avatar

What a beautiful and thoughtful gift! To the writers and to us! Thank you, Anne! My fall reading list just expanded!

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Sarah Savage's avatar

I agree, this is such a great idea. So many of the books you listed are intriguing, and I now have a book coming from Waterstone's in the UK. ❣️

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Hello Anne,

Thank you so for this generous posting.

What a great selection of diverse authors. I have a long history with shamans-very intrigued by all the titles especially The Shamans wife and The World She Edited.

All sound amazing.

I’m glad you will continue this.

The idea of at least having one review listed is also good.

Abigail Thomas reviewed my book

Edge of Grace, fierce awakenings to love.

I don’t have it in front of me, but it goes something like this, “you can’t possibly stop reading…”

Thank you again !!! 🌹

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Anne Boyd's avatar

How wonderful to have that endorsement from Abigail Thomas! Congrats!!

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Thank you so much. I’m honored

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Quinn Columba Boyko| LadyQuinn's avatar

Thank you for these amazing reads!

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Ann Richardson's avatar

Thanks so much for all this information. My book,The Granny Who Stands on her Head: Reflections on growing older, does what it says in the sub-title! https://getbook.at/Stands-on-Head. It is also the name of my Substack, which came later. I have also written a book based on interviews with nearly 30 grandmothers from all over the world, called Celebrating Grandmothers https://mybook.to/grandmothers. I am now 82 and still writing.

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Wonderful! I love it! Thank you for sharing, Ann!

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Hello Ann,

This sounds amazing g and needed.

Yes to the grandmothers!

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Vanda Krefft's avatar

Hi Anne--What a great list, and how generous of you to assemble it and help other writers. Thank you!

EXPECT GREAT THINGS!, My social history of the Katharine Gibbs School and its impact on women's place in the workforce, will be published on March 4, 2025 by Algonquin Books and is available for pre-order on Amazon. Katharine Gibbs herself was pretty audacious! A middle-aged widow who'd never worked outside the home a day in her life, she started her school to teach young women how to gain powerful jobs and financial independence. The school became tremendously successful in mid-century America, turning out tens of thousands of graduates, many of whom forged exciting, adventurous careers.

https://www.amazon.com/Expect-Great-Things-Katharine-Revolutionized/dp/1643753177/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NU58J7RU23Y2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pSfwnK1fKtMomG7qkoI2ZA.kUAWNYnaMFUnMneV1xwOVcSb3LLk-e601y3nyhQa2HA&dib_tag=se&keywords=expect+great+things+krefft&qid=1720630604&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C126&sr=1-1-catcorr

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Hello Vanda! Thank you for sharing your upcoming book. Definitely about some audacious women!

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Melissa Amateis's avatar

Wow, so many wonderful books! Congratulations to all the authors!

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Nicole C. Livengood's avatar

I love this post! Thank you, Anne, for the work you put into it, and congratulations to all of the women whose work is showcased here.

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Laura La Sottile's avatar

Hi Anne, nice to hear from you. I hope you had a wonderful summer ☀️

These books look wonderful!

I too was newly published this March - My book is called TRASHEDIES, Funny Feminist Flash Fiction: https://www.austinmacauley.com/us/book/trashedies

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Congratulations, Laura! Thank you for sharing.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

An incredible roundup of interesting books! I'm going to have to get my hands on a copy of THE EDGE OF GRACE soon. Adding more of these to my stack of TBR. Audacious!

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Dear Jill, thank you

I hope you enjoy it!

The readers have found it compellingly

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Alexandra Cedrino's avatar

Dear Anne! What a wonderful thing you are doing! I’m going to publish the translation of my first historical novel "The Gallery at Potsdamer Platz" on Tuesday, September 3rd. (It can be pre-ordered!) It's my debut as an indie author and I'm very excited!

Pre-orders are especially important for indie authors because they don't have a publisher to promote their books!

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Wow--this looks incredible. (And what a cool cover!) Here is the link on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gallery-At-Potsdamer-Platz-ebook/dp/B0D3JCYG93

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Alexandra Cedrino's avatar

Thank you!! 🙏🏻🤩

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Suzanne Vickberg's avatar

I love this idea, Anne, thank you! It’s so cool to be able to read the works of people from this community. I love the diversity of interests and expertise, and yet I feel so many commonalities among the community members you attract. 💜

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Yes, it is great to get to know more of the women who have gravitated here--through their books. Wait until we start hearing about everyone's Substacks! There are a lot of talented, fascinating women here!

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Etta Madden's avatar

These titles all look so amazing (and so diverse!)—how much better off the world is with women’s voices and stories shared! Thank you for including Engaging Italy and for offering so many titles for us to consider reading. Congratulations, everyone!

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Yes a wonderful idea

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Anne Boyd's avatar

You are most welcome, Etta!

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Amy Reading's avatar

Thank you, Anne, for blurbing my book and introducing it to your readership! I'm thrilled to be in such impressive company. Katharine White was indeed an audacious woman, the only woman in the room for her entire 36-year career at The New Yorker, but she was also a creature of her time, and as a historian I find that mix so compelling. I've loved getting to know her and I can't wait for readers to discover her now that the book is out.

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

I look forward to reading both

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Anne Boyd's avatar

You are most welcome, Amy! It was such a pleasure to read. And I know well that tension you point to in the double nature of so many women of the past. Juggling their progressive and conservative sides can be a challenge.

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Kathleen Spaltro's avatar

Thank you, Anne! My biography, "Lionel Barrymore: Character and Endurance in Hollywood's Golden Years," just came out from University Press of Kentucky.

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Congratulations Kathleen

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Kathleen Spaltro's avatar

Thank you so much, Prajna. Best of luck with your own projects!

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Hi Kathleen, I truly appreciate your support. Thank you so much. Let’s do this.

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Anne Boyd's avatar

That is wonderful, Kathleen! Here is the link for those who want to check it out: https://www.kentuckypress.com/9781985900509/lionel-barrymore/

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Kathleen Spaltro's avatar

Many thanks, Anne. I am now revising "Ethel Barrymore" for the same press.

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Lori Tucker-Sullivan's avatar

Thanks for this, Anne! My book, I Can’t Remember if I Cried: Rock Widows on Life, Live, and Legacy, was published in June. It profiles 14 widows of rock stars or musicians and what they taught me about grief as a fellow widow. Meeting and interviewing these women over the past six years was a life-changing experience and brought me full circle as I had forgone a career as a music writer to be a wife and mom. The stories are amazing and the lessons are powerful.

And now I also have a few books to add to my TBR stack as well. Thanks!

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Sounds fantastic. I love this idea Lori!

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Lori Tucker-Sullivan's avatar

Thanks, Prajna!

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Thank you for sharing your book, Lori! What a wonderful way to process your own life through the stories of the women you collected. It looks amazing. Here it is at Bookshop for those who are interested: https://bookshop.org/p/books/i-can-t-remember-if-i-cried-rock-widows-on-life-love-and-legacy-lori-tucker-sullivan/20597458?ean=9781493084142

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Lori Tucker-Sullivan's avatar

Thanks, Anne, for your lovely comment and for sharing the link (and for linking to Bookshop which supports indie bookstores!).

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Rona Maynard's avatar

What a wonderful thing to do for your talented community, Anne! Congratulations, all! I’m particularly excited about THE WORLD SHE EDITED, the ideal follow-up to the biography I’m reading now—Sara Franklin’s THE EDITOR, about Judith Jones.

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Amy Reading's avatar

These two books about women editors make a marvelous matching set. Katharine White first published John Updike's stories and poems in The New Yorker and he went on to publish many books with Judith Jones at Knopf--to take just one instance of how the books fit together. Katharine and Judith did not appear to have known each other. But Sara and I have become great friends through writing about them!

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Alicia M. Rodriguez's avatar

Thank you Anne for including my book in your list!

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Very happy to do so! :)

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Kirsty's avatar

Thank you for adding more books to my ever growing list of ones I want to read ;-) ! Some of these look amazing xx

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Wild Lion*esses Pride from Jay's avatar

Dear Anne, thank you so much for this inspiring roundup of books by and about women doing audacious things! I’m particularly excited to explore the memoirs and historical works you’ve highlighted.

Amy Reading’s The World She Edited sounds like a fascinating dive into the significant yet often overlooked contributions of women in literature. The way Katharine White nurtured so many influential writers is something I’m eager to learn more about.

Joanna Scutts’ Firebrands: 25 Pioneering Women Writers to Ignite Your Reading Life seems like a must-read for anyone interested in rebellious and groundbreaking women writers from history. I love the idea of discovering such a diverse range of voices.

Alicia M. Rodriguez’s The Shaman’s Wife intrigues me deeply. Memoirs of self-discovery and spiritual journeys often offer profound insights and personal transformation, and this one, with its cross-cultural elements, promises to be particularly compelling.

Thank you again for sharing these gems. I’m looking forward to diving into these books and supporting these incredible authors. If any other readers have recommendations or their own work to share, I’d love to hear about it!

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Mary Beth Spray's avatar

I have a memoir coming out in December and I would like to share it with you. It's entitled, "Imprint, a woman's journey from trauma to freedom", and coming out in December.

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Mary, Trauma to Freedom

An important story for sure

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

I’m following you to support your project

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Mary Beth Spray's avatar

Thank you, Prajna. xxoo

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Wild Lion*esses Pride from Jay's avatar

Mary Beth, thank you so much for offering to share your memoir. The title, “Imprint, a Woman’s Journey from Trauma to Freedom,” speaks directly to the path I am on as well. Though our stories differ, I deeply resonate with the themes of overcoming pain and reclaiming one’s own power and freedom. I would be honored to read your memoir when it comes out in December. I look forward to experiencing your journey and finding inspiration in your words. Thank you for your courage in sharing your story.

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Mary Beth Spray's avatar

Thank you Jay, for your comments and for your offer to read. I will let you know when the book is ready. I believe everything was sent to the printer this week. Isn't the feeling of freedom and power awesome? Especially after exiting the prison of pain... Let's keep in touch. <3

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Congratulations! Do you have a link you can share?

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Mary Beth Spray's avatar

Yes, Anne, here it is…www.marybethspray.com https://substack.com/@marybethspray

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Mary Beth Spray's avatar

I will send you something next week. Thanks for asking Anne.

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Anne Boyd's avatar

So am I! I’m glad you’ve found some new books to add to your list

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Claire Videau's avatar

This is a wonderful idea. All of these books look great, well done !!!

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Amy Brown's avatar

What a terrific initiative and I am so proud of our community; so many books here I want to read 😀and one day I hope to have one of my own to announce!

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

I bet you will Amy

Substack is good for inspiration

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Tara Penry's avatar

These all look wonderful! Hearty congratulations to all the writers!

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michelle titus's avatar

Thanks for offering this Anne.

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