The Jack Kilby Centre at Napier is alive tonight, at 21:03 on Friday, 6 October, not with the amplified voices of over-caffeinated freshers but with the buzz of inspiration. Returning from volunteering at the Women’s Fiction Festival 2023, two keen publishing students enthuse over project ideas.1 The Edinburgh Bookshop hosts the festival in conjunction with the Edinburgh Writers’ Forum. The students discuss the conversation they just witnessed between authors Sara Sheridan (The Fair Botanists)2 and Kim Sherwood (Testament).3 Shoulder-to-shoulder, 150 people packed into the Morningside United Church to hear some of Edinburgh’s most celebrated contemporary literary talents.  

Sheridan and Sherwood discussed their dedication to uncovering generations of lost female voices in literature. Sheridan talked of being inspired by author Rebecca Solnit’s project of renaming New York City subway stops after female historical figures from New York, reflecting women’s vastly unappreciated contribution to shaping the places and the world as we know it.4 Sheridan’s book, Where are the Women? reimagines a Scotland that celebrates its female legacy.5 Sherwood similarly researches forgotten female writers, excavating their memories from dusty archives and bringing their work and stories to light.

Fig. 1

Sheridan initiates a game of naming women writers overlooked by history. Susan Edmonstone Ferrier (1782 –1854) is one of these authors.6 Initially published anonymously, Ferrier’s books (e.g., Destiny)7 became immensely popular. 

Based on the quality of writing and location, many attributed the work to Sir Walter Scott (Waverley)8, but he denied writing them, claiming the author’s talent ‘surpassed his own’.9 Perhaps marking a degree of advancement in the industry today, endorsement quotes from a prominent current author would be invaluable in marketing a book. However, one may argue that if a woman must stand on the back of someone successful in the industry to gain equal market advantage, progress must still be made to advance diverse representation in publishing. Unfortunately, once Ferrier was named the author, her books dwindled in sales, losing their former popularity, and her legacy faded into obscurity.10

The act of commemorating women acknowledges lineage and empowers; it enables women to believe for themselves in the possibility of achievement. “Imagine”, Sheridan said, “if instead of getting off the train at Waverley Station, you get off the train at Destiny Station.”11

We are just starting our publishing journey, but one day, collectively, we hope to arrive at Destiny Station, symbolising a more just and equal world. Until then, one connection, one conversation, one action at a time. ‘If all of us in this room were to do one thing, that would make a difference.’12 Women deserve to see themselves in the world around them, in positions of power, monuments and history books. 

Events like the Women’s Fiction Festival are enormously important. Occasions like these advocate for and enhance awareness of underrepresented peoples so that they may reach minority demographics and celebrate their communities and achievements. Through awareness and continuous conversation, an industry steeped in tradition may be re-established with values that reflect an inclusive society.

Fig. 2: Lorna Modeen (back left), Catherine Hokin, Sally Hinchliffe, Jenny Brown and Flora Johnston (left to right)
Fig. 3: Noemi Szabo, Claire Daverley and Lorna Modeen (left to right)
Fig. 4: Lorna Modeen, EWFF audience and Flora Johnston (left to right)
Fig. 5: Lorna Modeen and Noemi Szabo Volunteering at EWFF 2023 (left to right)

Bibliography

Ferrier, S. and Johnson, R.B. 1894. ‘Destiny’, in The Novels of Susan Edmonstone Ferrier: In Six volumes. London: J.M. Dent. 

National Records of Scotland Web Team. 2013. National Records of Scotland. Available at: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-a-z/ferrier-susan (Accessed: 11 October 2023). 

Scott, W. 1877. Waverley. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black. 

Sheridan, S. 2021. Where Are The Women?: A Guide to an Imagined Scotland. Edinburgh: Historic Environment Scotland. 

Sheridan, S. 2022. The Fair Botanists. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 

Sherwood, K. 2019. Testament. London: Riverrun. 

Solnit, R., Jelly-Schapiro, J. and Roy, M. 2016. Nonstop Metropolis: a New York City Atlas. Oakland, CA: University of California Press. 

The Edinburgh Women’s Fiction Festival. 2023. Sara Sheridan & Kim Sherwood on The History of Women’s Fiction. Morningside United Church, Edinburgh. Friday 6 October.

Images Used 

Cover image: Fernandez, V. 5 January 2020. A Girl Standing Inside a Train in Milan, Lombardy, Italy. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-girl-standing-inside-a-train-15011558/ (Accessed: 11 October 2023).

Fig. 1. Event Advertisement for Sara Sheridan & Kim Sherwood on The History of Women’s Fiction. Available at: https://www.edwomensficfest.co.uk/event-details-registration/sara-sheridan-kim-sherwood-on-the-history-of-womens-fiction (Accessed: 11 October 2023).

Fig. 2. Pedroja, K. 6 October 2023. Festival image of Lorna Modeen, Catherine Hokin, Sally Hinchliffe, Jenny Brown and Flora Johnston (left to right).

Fig. 3. Pedroja, K. 7 October 2023. Festival image of Noemi Szabo, Claire Daverley and Lorna Modeen (left to right).

Fig. 4. Pedroja, K. 6 October 2023. Festival image of Lorna Modeen, EWFF audience and Flora Johnston (left to right).

Fig. 5. Fraser, E. 7 October 2023. Festival image of Lorna Modeen and Noemi Szabo (left to right).

References

  1. The Edinburgh Women’s Fiction Festival. 2023. Sara Sheridan & Kim Sherwood on The History of Women’s Fiction. Morningside United Church, Edinburgh. Friday 6 October. ↩︎
  2. Sheridan, S. 2022. The Fair Botanists. London: Hodder & Stoughton.  ↩︎
  3.  Sherwood, K. 2019. Testament. London: Riverrun.  ↩︎
  4. Solnit, R., Jelly-Schapiro, J. and Roy, M. 2016. Nonstop Metropolis: a New York City Atlas. Oakland, CA: University of California Press.  ↩︎
  5. Sheridan, S. 2021. Where Are The Women?: A Guide to an Imagined Scotland. Edinburgh: Historic Environment Scotland.  ↩︎
  6. National Records of Scotland Web Team. 2013. National Records of Scotland. Available at: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-a-z/ferrier-susan (Accessed: 11 October 2023).  ↩︎
  7. Ferrier, S. and Johnson, R.B. 1894. ‘Destiny’, in The Novels of Susan Edmonstone Ferrier: In Six volumes. London: J.M. Dent.  ↩︎
  8. Scott, W. 1877. Waverley. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black.  ↩︎
  9. Sheridan, S. 2021. Where Are The Women?: A Guide to an Imagined Scotland. Edinburgh: Historic Environment Scotland. p.10. ↩︎
  10. Sheridan, S. 2021. Where Are The Women?: A Guide to an Imagined Scotland. Edinburgh: Historic Environment Scotland. p.10. ↩︎
  11. The Edinburgh Women’s Fiction Festival. 2023. Sara Sheridan & Kim Sherwood on The History of Women’s Fiction. Morningside United Church, Edinburgh. Friday 6 October. ↩︎
  12. The Edinburgh Women’s Fiction Festival. 2023. Sara Sheridan & Kim Sherwood on The History of Women’s Fiction. Morningside United Church, Edinburgh. Friday 6 October. ↩︎