Feminist Book Fortnight returns under new direction, with Leyser and Benjamin

Matilda Leyser and Marina Benjamin will be participating in the 2023 Feminist Book Fortnight (FBF), an annual bookseller-led celebration of feminist and radical books led by independent bookshops across the UK.

The festival is returning this year from 15th until 28th May, under new direction from the new Richmond Hill indie bookshop Books on the Rise.

The bookshop is taking forward the FBF promotion, which was formerly curated by Jane Anger of Five Leaves Books, inspired by the feminist book fairs of the 1980s. Anger has handed the baton on to writer and bookseller Bushra Mustafa-Dunne, who aims to "both honour the grassroots legacy of the fortnight and infuse it with intersectionality – something that is integral to the success of the feminist movement".

FBF is being "reinvigorated" with a new wave of writers and activists, influenced by #MeToo and #TimesUp movements. Set to take place over two weeks, the aim of the events is to encourage open discussions regarding "the plurality of feminism".

Over the years, events have been held with names like Maya Angelou, Carol Ann Duffy, Nawal el Saadawi, Margaret Atwood, Deborah Levy and others. FBF additionally wants to champion the explosion in new feminist publishing, as work by the likes of Lola Olufemi, Sarah Ahmed, Laura Bates, Mary Beard and Rebecca Solnit has entered the mainstream and populated bestseller lists.

On 17th May, Leyser will discuss her new book, No Season But The Summer (Scribe UK), detailing "the inspiration behind her myth infused novel", and staying for a book signing. Following that, on 21st May, Benjamin will discuss her book, A Little Give (Scribe UK), which explores the housework women do and the roles they inhabit.