Virago scoops Blackie and Wynne's Wise Women in 'fiercely fought' five-way auction

Virago has scooped Wise Women: Myths and Folklore in Celebration of Older Women by Sharon Blackie and Angharad Wynne in a “fiercely fought” five-way auction.  

Sarah Savitt, publisher, acquired world all-language rights from Jane Graham-Maw at the Graham Maw Christie Agency. It will publish in hardback in October 2024 with black and white line illustrations. 

Wise Women is described as a collection of stories, ballads and nursery rhymes from European myth and folklore which feature older women at their centre. 

The publisher said: “Blackie and Wynne have put many years of research into this new gathering of storm-haired witches, ungainly giantesses, sequin-strewn fairy godmothers, misunderstood sorceresses, thick-waisted goddesses, hairy-chinned hags, and craggy crones. Each story is newly told by Blackie and Wynne, and there is also accompanying commentary to each tale offering background to the characters and stories, highlighting important themes and imagery, and reflecting on what it teaches us about how we might live well, meaningfully, and authentically in the second half of life.” 

Blackie said: “Virago books were pivotal, when I was a young woman, in showing me how I might dream myself into being. And so I’m thrilled to be working with Virago to be publish Wise Woman, four decades later. I was truly taken by Sarah’s understanding of what we were trying to accomplish with the book, and the wider Virago team’s vision for it. I’m delighted too to be working on this volume with Angharad, who brings a fresh storytelling voice to stories which we hope will be told, as well as read.” 

Wynne added: “As we renegotiate our relationship with aging, and reclaim the potency and power of elderhood once more, it feels imperative that we awaken and reclaim the overlooked and often denigrated older female archetypes of our mythic and folkloric traditions, and breathe new life into these old tales. I can think of no better companions on this particular quest than Dr Sharon Blackie with her wealth of knowledge and understanding of the mythic, and Sarah and the brilliant team at Virago, who have tirelessly championed women’s voices and stories for 50 years.’ 

Savitt said Wise Women "demonstrates and celebrates the full range of older women characters in European myth and folklore, who in these stories heal, test, advise, wield power and inspire". She added: "Sharon and Angharad’s retellings of the stories are beautiful and irresistible, full of dashing foxes, wild hair, curses and wishes. It’s for everyone interested in myth and folklore, as well as offering a fresh angle for current conversations around menopause and ageing. We hope it will be a perfect Halloween or Christmas gift next autumn.”