Barnett's 'taboo-busting' book on periods to HQ

HQ has acquired a "fierce and funny" feminist manifesto by broadcaster Emma Barnett, which confronts the taboo topic of women's periods.

Entitled Period., Barnett's book aims to remove the stigma and myths continuing to surround the female body. It has been pitched as "bold, unapologetic and a crusade to ignite conversation" as well as "a book for every woman and man".

HQ editor Charlotte Mursell acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) to Period. by Emma Barnett from Robert Caskie at Caskie Mushens Ltd in association with Anita Land Ltd.

Mursell predicted the "taboo-busting" title will get everyone talking. "Emma’s fearless, feminist and revolutionary book shatters the lingering silence around periods once and for all. Time’s up on shame, on revulsion, on dashing to the toilet with a tampon hidden up your sleeve. Myth-debunking and taboo-busting, this is going to be the book that everyone is talking about. Period," she said. "We’re delighted that HQ will be publishing Emma’s clever, funny and powerful call-to-arms."

In the title, Barnett will question what is driving people's squeamishness around the topic and probe harm it might be doing to women. In contrast she said her book is intended as "a joyful and irreverent rallying cry" celebrating periods.

Barnett said: "Pretty much every woman bleeds. Periods are perfectly natural occurrences – albeit often bloody painful ones. (See what I did there?) And yet, somehow they remain one of the final societal taboos. But why? What's really driving women's and men's collective horror and squeamishness? Who started the war on periods? And by keeping periods as shameful, secret happenings, what unexamined harm is being done to women and crucially, what jokes are we missing out on? Honourable discharge anyone?

"I aim for Period. to be a joyful and irreverent rallying cry, filled with untold stories and insights, so that all women and men can locate their period pride. Period."

HQ will publish Period. in summer 2019 in hardback, e-book and audiobook.