Airmail: Taking Women of Letters to the World

Women of Letters

by Michaela McGuire (Editor), Marieke Hardy (Editor)

Women of Letters have conquered the world with their passion for correspondence. Taking their literary salons on a global tour, they've collected an astounding and sweeping array of contributions from some of the world's brightest talents.

From Ubud, award-winning author Lionel Shriver writes with unexpected nostalgia about her days as an unknown novelist.

Musician Moby pays tribute from Los Angeles to his favourite David Bowie song, even while acknowledging the frustration of feeling like he'll never live up to it.

Writer, actor and Rookie Magazine founder Tavi Gevinson sends a dispatch from Chicago about the importance of getting stuff done instead of waiting for inspiration to hit.

And much-loved and bestselling novelist Monica McInerney posts a note from Dublin about how sometimes the things that don't happen to us can affect us as strongly as the things that do.

Containing two years of missives from live events held in Indonesia, the USA, the UK and Ireland, Airmail is the first international anthology in the Women of Letters series.

All royalties for this book will go to Edgar's Mission animal rescue shelter.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Essays, Short Stories, Anthologies

464 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2015

About the author

Michaela McGuire's first book, Apply Within: Stories of Career Sabotage, was published in 2009. She writes a weekly blog for The Monthly called Twirling Towards Freedom, and her Penguin Special A Story of Grief was published in 2013.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this anthology of interesting letters from interesting, talented people. Over 70 contributors, writers, poets, actors, musicians, comedians discussing just as many diverse topics. Following on the successful 'Women of Letters' based in Australia this edition features letters from events held all over the world (US, Europe, Asia) with international contributors writing letters on a range of topics.

It took me a while to read this book because the letters cannot be devoured in one hungry gulp. They need to be savoured gradually and dipped into a few at a time. Some are humorous and all are thoughtful and resonate long after reading. Some shared their childhood recollections or early career struggles and inspirations and some talked about how we can build a better world. There were letters about regrets and missed chances, relationships and lost love, a pet kangaroo called Willy, a childhood correspondence with Herge and even a letter to pumice. Many were intimate and personal and all shared a passion for life with all it's highs and lows.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-copy of the book to read and review

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Women of Letters and these anthologies are one of the highlights of my reading year.

There are so many beautiful, moving, funny, insightful letters in this edition that I couldn't even begin to choose my favourites.

Wonderful.

[Sophie]

In honesty, I only read the letters in this I wanted to but they were brilliant.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concept of this book.
An amazing writing tool, I've long experienced and believed in the magic of letters.

I haven't read them all yet and I may only read some but I will definitely take on the inspiration and write some of my own!
A wonderfully powerful medium bursting with possibilities.

[KONATE Cheickna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trouve bien