Born Still is a very special kind of memoir. It is, as Janet informs us in the opening pages, a political memoir – in which “the personal” – specifically, Janet’s life -- has been rendered so political, by virtue of its disruptive place in institutional systems of power and governance, as to have implications for the law and social practice -- in particular, in relation to home birth and independent midwifery.

How did we move so far from love that a mother’s grief became the vehicle with which to punish her? Losing a baby during childbirth is one of the most heartbreaking things imaginable. But to then be accused of causing that death is nothing short of soul-destroying. Here is the introduction to Janet Fraser’s new book Born Still: A Memoir of Grief

Spinifex Press co-founder Susan Hawthorne wrote an article for Artshub discussing some of the effects the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak are causing small and independent publishers.

We remember Laurene Kelly.

Laurene Kelly wrote a trilogy of young adult novels which dealt with deadly violence against women and the way violence ricochets throughout the family and the community. Her novels are I Started Crying Monday (1999), The Crowded Beach (2001) and Still Waving (2005). 

Susan Hawthorne introduces In Defence of Separatism and why it was important to release the book now.

Joanna Murray-Smith, playwright, talks about Sue Ingleton's new book: Making Trouble (Tongued with Fire).