A Mumsnet thread about a book about a Mumsnet thread “Under the Duvet of Darkness” written by the women of Mumsnet

[Boiledbeetle]

For once we can do a thread about a new book where all the writers are actually on this very board!

Some of you know what I have been up to recently, when I can tear myself away from posting twaddle, gifs and sweary words in bigly letters on here, but for the rest of you…

Over Christmas and New Year after the passing of the GRR (Scotland) Bill a thread was started by TerfranosaurusVagina on the Mumsnet FWR board with a poem about Nicola Sturgeon. Eventually on that thread (and a couple of other threads) over 80 poems were written.

Ramblingnamechanger suggested we do something with them to raise funds to help the women of Scotland and whilst Dodecaheidyin was tempted to write to Poetry Please on Radio 4, and ask them to do an extended special for Hogmanay about our poems, in the end it was decided to make the thread into a book.

After much procrastination by me “Under the Duvet of Darkness: Poems written by angry women for angry women because WOMEN WON’T WHEESHT” went live on Amazon on 31st March

https://amzn.eu/d/98aEnJy

If searching on the site you need to:

Select BOOKS as the department and UNDER THE DUVET OF DARKNESS in the search box.

Currently it doesn’t show up in the main all departments search (I don’t know why or if it will, it takes a while for everything to work properly according to Amazon).

Theres also a QR code below which should take you right there (hopefully the attached works)

MONEY FROM SALES:

In honour of Magdalen Berns, who co-founded the Scottish campaign group For Women Scotland, 100% of the profit from the sale of this book will be donated to For Women Scotland.*

*Please note that whilst the profit will be donated to For Women Scotland they are not involved, nor are they responsible in any way for the themes, contents or publication of this book.

“It’s not hate to defend your rights, and it’s not hate to speak the truth.”

Magdalen Berns (1983 – 2019)

I know mine have arrived! Just not in the same country so have to wait till next month. Delayed gratification!

My Amazon tracking suggests products related to my order are a cat scratching post and cleaning cloths. Not sure how they’re related? The old lonely cat lady stereotype? Preferred the wine carrier suggestion. Anyway it’s out for delivery so not long to wait

@Ramblingnamechanger It will be worth the wait! Honest!

@Somanyquestionstoaskaboutthis That's the sort of stuff they usually show me!. No wine carriers though! I'm obviously doing Amazon wrong!I

I've just been writing a poem to stick on Twitter (horrid place) to drum up reviews! And to go in the bonus e book chapter! All poems welcome (which if you've read some of mine you'll know I truly do mean that!)

UTDOD: https://amzn.eu/d/et9OGfi

A copy definitely needs sent to Glasgow Women's Library. As a record of an important period in women's history.

I shall look into that.

I got followed by Magi Gibson on Twitter yesterday. I fear that may be because we've just published a version of what she's currently putting together!

I'm tempted to send a copy to the national poetry library. It fulfils the criteria for a self published book

"The Acquisitions Panel meet regularly to consider submissions. For your book to be considered, please send in a copy of one book at a time, including a return address. The librarians will consider it and respond to you. The panel is constituted by a number of staff, so your publication will be considered by more than one librarian.

The panel are particularly looking for poetry collections that demonstrate that the poems have been published/performed before publication and we recommend that you include an 'acknowledgements page' in your book to demonstrate this".

I mean what's not to love about a book of poems that are written in a very specific window of time and history! That was published on a thread on a forum prior to the book!

I've just had a look, it fits their criteria as well.

Gets pad and pen

Any other suggestions people? I still have £100 on Amazon gift cards to spend!

Scottish Poetry Library. I think there's a national women's library somewhere down south, although unfortunately like Glasgow's it's been captured by genderism and there were, iirc, worries that important records of feminist history were going to be 'lost' because they didn't fit the prevailing narrative.

That in itself should give everyone a chill. When historians start heavy handed curation like that, we're in trouble.

https://womenslibrary.org.uk/explore-the-library-and-archive/reading-ideas/book-reviews/recommend-a-book/

I wondered why my review hadn't been published - hadn't clicked Submit. Oops . Done now.

I've got some of those book exchange boxes near me. I might buy a few more copies and put them in the boxes.

Have you sent one to the British Library and the Bodlean @Boiledbeetle libraries of record ... I don't see why not!

And maybe one as a thank you to JKR via her agent. I am not sure the fingertip feminist would have fallen without her.

Actually thats a lovely thought. I wish I could get my hands on a copy but everything has to go through my husband, this is the sort of book he would burn. I bet there will be a few others similar to me. (No, im not begging. One day I'm sure I will see one in the wild and then it will be MINE).

Thanks @ArabellaScott Looks like I have some researching and book buying to do at some point!

@ScrambledSmegs thank you very muchly. The more the merrier!

@DialSquare well I'm not going to try to dissuade you of that wonderful idea!

@ChristinaXYZ I shall add them to my list of places to investigate! Even if we do end up on the losing side of this (WE WON'T) women in the future need to know we didn't all want this!

I'd be burning his entire wardrobe down to his socks and pants if he touched one page of one book of mine!

And honestly then if get rid of the husband!

If it's meant to be one will find its way into your hands!

I'm the mean time If you PM me a throwaway email address I have a pdf version. It's not the same as having the actual book in your hand! But until you do it's better than nothing!

Thank you but I think this will be the gift to myself once I'm free (and able to keep your "baby" safe). I'm still in the planning stages but it will happen one day. MN has truly opened my eyes.

I love seeing your screenshots of how many are sold. Power to the Beetle!

More power to you, Pixiedust1234. Sending you love and strength.

@Pixiedust1234 well if you ever change your mind my PMs are always on!

I'm glad you are making plans. But stay safe whilst you do.

The total hasn't moved all day. But then as my sister said last night when i was asking her if she was working today "You do know it's Easter don't you?"

Erm.....

pixie

I know. To the day when you are free range my friend. To the day…

To be free is a wonderful thing to be. And you can always be free in your heart and mind. He doesn’t get to stay there without your say so.

Sending hope 🌻

Wishing you strength Pixie to get away as soon as you can. I'd happily get a book to you but understand the issues it could cause.

Wishing you the best, Pixie.

💐

After an insanely busy week, I have - and a copy of under the duvet....

Thank you wonderful Boiledbeetle & everyone for contributing. xx

Amazon just delivered mine, so I'm shamelessly bumping...!

I sincerely hope it's not Under the Duvet. That is a marion keyes book as I belatedly discovered about two days before publishing!

Pleaser tell me it also has 'of Darkness' on the end! 😁

I hope you and
@CompleteGinasaur are enjoying reading them!

Bit late, but I've just now ordered my copy! Eek