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AnneAkantusPress's avatar

Hello! I just found you because of my interest in forgotten female writers. I am a literary translator (six books by Deborah Levy among others) and I have just started a micro-press, Akantus Press, in Norway which will publish forgotten works of fiction (both Norwegian and in translation) by women. The first book is to be published in early May - lots to do atm!My inspiration in this venture is Virago Press and Persephobe Books in the UK. Looking forward to getting to know both you and Substack in general. All the best, Anne

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sona Osman's avatar

Absolutely fascinating and inspiring to read. I have done a similar thing although living in a fisherman house in Brittany

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Loralee Clark's avatar

hello--wondering if my latest. (first) post would be something that might resonate with you/your audience. Feel free to check it out: "How to Choose Yourself as a Creative", Loralee Clark

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Martha Bilski's avatar

Hello From Long Beach NY. I am a poet, painter, maker of textile things. I have published a few poems here and there, but mostly have been filling journals fron the 70's till now. Retired from tech support. Shortly after my beloved daughter died last year of cancer, I stopped writing, and only recently have I picked up a pen and paper. I wish to write a memoir. As the surviving child of a schizophrenic painter and a narcisist professor I have a few things to write about. And I kept notes.

I found this substack in a newsletter from Jennifer Louden, who is a wonderful writing coach.

I started to read the comments and found myself subscribing to a few and then I had to stop. The rabbit hole is long and winding and there are things to be done and more things to be done.

I subscribed to Loved then Let Go, By Heidi Strietzer, who connects ecology and theology, which intrigues me. I studied philosophy in college. So I pushed the button. Another Stack I subscribed to is Cambridge Ladies DIning Society, by Ann Kennedy Smith, I think because I liked the name for reasons which would make no sense to anyone here. I look forward to spending some time there. And Last but not least I subscribed to The Austen Connection. One day I will write about my own connection to that, as obscure as it may be. I once made made a quilt inspired by the coverlet Jane made with her sister, which hangs at Chawton Cottage.

Audacious women - Cassidy Hutchinson, Enough. Michelle Obama, Becoming.

Audacious women writers? Anne Sexton, Ann Frank, Sylvia Plath, Adriemme Rich, Patty Smith, and so many bazillion more.

I have often thought about packing up and going somewhere to write. Alas, I am an armchair dreamer.

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Sacha Cohen's avatar

I just adore what you are writing about and it aligns so much with me and my dreams. Happy to be part of your community! Did you settle in France?

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Gursharn Rait's avatar

Ok. Done. You're substack title and story captured me. It gives me inspiration, hope and heart. I love the honesty and simplicity in your words, that makes me feel seen. Look forward to reading more, being inspired and supporting you. Thank you

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elfchen - diary of a fairy's avatar

This is amazing, I just landed on substack and I can feel communities thriving out of everywhere. Your post especially reminded me of my newest most fruitful friendship with a fellow creative, I will name her R. She is an Argentinian-American woman who lives in Mexico and is finding herself again after her husbands death and I have felt so much love and nurturing from her. That kind of nurtured feeling I get from your post too. Thank you!

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Laura Skov's avatar

Love this and so much of your story resonates with me. I left the U.S. for Sweden in 2019, fried from overwork. Now I am chilled out and my life is how I want to be. Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

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Anne Boyd's avatar

How wonderful, Laura, that you’ve found your new life. Still looking for mine. :)

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June Girvin's avatar

Oh! Menière's. I've not been diagnosed with that but I do have regular labrynthitis....less so now I'm retired. Those stress-related auto-immune things are just so awful. I've only just discovered your Substack - I love it. It's now on my 'when I can afford to pay subscribe' list!

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Anne Boyd's avatar

So great to have you here, June! Thanks! And I'm feeling much better after retiring from my stressful job as well!

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Cheryl Sadowski's avatar

I’m excited by this new direction, Anne. I’ve rearranged my life (not without some challenge) to give myself more time for various writerly and creative pursuits. But it has been a rather lonely pursuit at times. Connecting with a community of like-minded women via your platform and guidance sounds like just the tonic!

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Anne Boyd's avatar

That’s great to hear, Cheryl! I think it’s something we could all use! I’m so glad to have you here.

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Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

This is great, Anne. Really clear and focussed, and a great introduction to what you are writing about - and what different levels of your work subscribers will get. Love your setting out of themes, eg: 'How do women navigate what their cultures expect of them as women with the writers they want to be?' This seems very relevant to me today, thinking of the struggles Amy Levy had even as a well educated, successful woman writer in Victorian times... today doesn't feel so different, in many ways.

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Anne Boyd's avatar

Exactly! That is what I realized. I was seeing women writers today struggling with the same things women in the 19th century were. I think it’s because they were forgotten (re: suppressed), so later women thought there had been only a few, if any, before them.

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