Welcome 📚
What is this about?
Welcome, reader!
The idea behind this newsletter/blog/project is to help you think about equality for all women through the lens of under-known/overlooked literary fiction, literature by lesbian women, and feminist theory.
What type of literature? 📚
I write long-form essays on feminist theory. The ideas I write about are through the lens of intersectionality and inclusion. The theories and writers I draw from are often radical, but I try to offer them up in ways that are connected to the current zeitgeist, and also in plainer, more objective language. Second wave feminism was too often myopic and not inclusive; third wave feminism too often focuses on individual and private, in-fighting, rather than addressing addressing or fighting back against systemic oppression. I attempt to address these inadequacies, and draw a bridge between time and space (through intersections).
The other idea behind unknown literary canon is to share and preserve lesbian literature and history, and compile the most complete, inclusive list of literary fiction and history by lesbian women authors1.
Philosophical Underpinnings 📚
The reviews I share with you go beyond the book. They include brief biographies and deeper analysis, and account for historical context. Most of the reviews/essays include philosophical and/or social commentary. I don’t shy away from difficult subjects such as racism (a frequent topic) or the frequency of sexual assault. If we’re going to combat these, we have to be willing to speak about them, bring them out of the shadows, so to speak.
The internet/social media era discourage nuance and complexity, and the essays and reviews you’ll read here are an attempt to bring them back into our wider discourse. Civil discourse that is thoughtful, evidence-based, and reasoned if you disagree with my opinion(s) is welcome.
Posting style and frequency 📚
I share several reviews and/or essays per week. Each is about four-to-twenty minute read time. I usually write them relatively fast: in one sitting and I do not edit prior to publication, and I’m typo-prone. I occasionally branch out into favorite artists, such as Romaine Brooks, other intellectual pursuits, or tie literature to my life and learnings. I drink a lot of very good tea, mostly aged puerh, and I’ll sometimes include photos my tea and teaware as well as book photos. If you’re curious about a book or tea, feel free to message me.
Paid v Free Subscriptions
unknown literary canon is a reader-supported newsletter dedicated to preserving and archiving lesser known literary works, and especially, lesbian literature, poetry, art, and history. if you would like to support this project, please like, share, comment, and if you have the means, consider becoming a paid subscriber.
I have not yet paywalled posts or “content”. However, in the future, I likely will paywall a selection and offer paid subscribers some additional options.
Stay up-to-date
Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox.
I include bisexual women authors, eg, Djuna Barnes and Violette Leduc, who have significant relationships with women and/or identify strongly as women-who-love-women in my definition of “lesbian author”. As well, there is a dearth of non-Western lesbian women literature being written and/or published. I’ve written more about how I selected what is lesbian and what is literature HERE.
