Books for Women. It’s a Thing.

This week we’re chatting about being a woman in the world of publishing. Crystal’s post was really informative, breaking down lots of different statistics related to the topic. And while women are sadly underrepresented in literary awards, I’d like to take a moment to celebrate that women have their very own genre. Women’s Fiction.

Go women!

I’ve heard people say that women’s fiction are books written by women, but that’s actually a little something called “women’s writing.” With the term “women’s fiction,” I’m talking about books promoted to us gals. Women’s fiction are books centered on the life experiences of a woman, showing her journey.

I LIKED MY LIFE by 2016 Deb Abby Fabiaschi is a great example of women’s fiction.

And what’s cool about women’s fiction is that it’s an umbrella term, with other genres neatly situated under that umbrella, nice and cozy (and dry). For example, BECOMING BONNIE is historical fiction, as it’s set in the 1920s, but it’s also women’s fiction because my novel shows Bonnie’s journey from a wholesome church-going gal to the Bonnie that’s half of “Bonnie and Clyde.”

Then there are thrillers that are also women’s fiction, such as ALMOST MISSED YOU by Jessica Strawser:

And humor/satire from our very own SMALL ADMISSIONS by Amy Poeppel:

And contemporary, like Julie Pennell’s THE YOUNG WIVE’S CLUB:

I know I already mentioned contemporary, but I also really enjoyed THE WILD WOMAN’S GUIDE TO TRAVELING THE WORLD by Kristin Rockaway, which I’ve seen some folks classify as “travel women’s fiction.” So there’s that.

And yes, I’ve been pointing out some of my recently read books (that are really good, so I definitely recommend them), which happened to be by women authors, who are writing about women, for women. Go women!

Do you have a favorite women’s fiction book?

 

 

Author: Jenni L. Walsh

Jenni L. Walsh spent her early years ​chasing around cats, dogs, and chickens in Philadelphia's countryside, before dividing time between a soccer field and a classroom at Villanova University. She put her marketing degree to good use as an advertising copywriter, zip-code hopping with her husband to DC, NYC, NJ, and not surprisingly, back to Philly. There, Jenni's passion for words continued, adding author to her resume. She now balances her laptop with a kid on each hip, and a four-legged child at her feet. BECOMING BONNIE (Tor Forge/Macmillan, 5/9/2017) is her debut novel that tells the untold story of how church-going Bonnelyn Parker becomes half of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde duo during the 1920s. SIDE BY SIDE, telling Bonnie and Clyde's crime spree story, will be released in the summer of 2018. Please learn more about Jenni's books at jennilwalsh.com.

7 Replies to “Books for Women. It’s a Thing.”

  3. All of these sound great and I didn’t realize the genre could include suspense, so that’s good to know. I sometimes like my women’s fiction with some romance too. A favorite is “The Coincidence of Coconut Cake” by Amy Reichert. Her latest, “The Simplicity of Cider,” is on my reading list for summer.

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