Shattering Glass

A Nasty Woman Press Anthology

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 16 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 15 Oct 2020

Talking about this book? Use #NastyWomanPress #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

Shattering Glass is the first in a series of remarkable anthologies published by Nasty Woman Press, a unique non-profit publisher founded to help fund other organizations threatened by the rise of autocracy and the ongoing war against civil and human rights in the United States. A scintillating mixture of top-flight fiction from bestselling authors in multiple genres, fascinating articles, and thought-provoking essays, conversations and interviews, Shattering Glass takes as its theme the empowerment of women, with all profits from the book donated to Planned Parenthood.

Nasty Woman Press is a 501(c)(4) non-profit publisher pledged to fight fascism, racism, misogyny, anti-Semitism, homophobia, Islamophobia, transphobia, and bigotry while promoting human rights and civil rights in the United States and around the globe. 

As writers, readers, editors, artists, librarians, designers, publishing professionals and creative, principled human beings, we cherish the planet and our fragile environment, support science and education, and value health and social services. We believe in taking care of each other. We believe in a better, kinder, world.

Contributors to SHATTERING GLASS include legendary political figures and award-winning, critically acclaimed and bestselling authors.   

Maria Alexander
Sandi Ault 
Eric Beetner 
Cara Black 
Rhys Bowen 
Senator Barbara Boxer 
Dana Cameron 
Joe Clifford 
Angel Luis Colon 
Joshua Corin 
Allison A. Davis 
Hallie Ephron 
Danny Gardner 
Alison Gaylin 
Heather Graham 
Rachel Howzell Hall 
Charlaine Harris 
Libby Fischer Hellman 
Toni L.P. Kelner 
Ellen Kirschman 
Bette Golden Lamb 
Anne Lamott 
James L'Etoile 
Jess Lourey 
Seanan McGuire 
Catriona McPherson 
Valerie Plame 
Travis Richardson 
Kaira Rouda 
S.J. Rozan 
Clea Simon 
Alexandra Sokoloff 
Josh Stallings 
Kelli Stanley 
Wendy Corsi Staub 
Robin Stuart 
Kate Thornton 
Jacqueline Winspear 


Shattering Glass is the first in a series of remarkable anthologies published by Nasty Woman Press, a unique non-profit publisher founded to help fund other organizations threatened by the rise of...


Marketing Plan

Pre-publication PR campaign

Extensive and targeted online marketing

Direct campaign to independent bookstores

Direct campaign to libraries

Author events 

Press coverage


Pre-publication PR campaign

Extensive and targeted online marketing

Direct campaign to independent bookstores

Direct campaign to libraries

Author events 

Press coverage



Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781734387902
PRICE

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB)
Send to Kindle (EPUB)

Average rating from 11 members


Featured Reviews

SHATTERING GLASS ed. by Heather Graham
SHATTERING GLASS is a powerful collection of stories and essays, sending a message of strength with insightful warnings, righteous anger, empowerment, justified actions and hope, even some laughter.
Oppression can create violent resistance and glass shards can be painful.
This generous collection has much to savor and ponder and share. I wanted to point to favorites, but there are so many . . . perhaps start with “The New Girl” and “Birthright” add “The Elephant in the Room” and then so many more to sustain the spirit. Persist!

Was this review helpful?

I have this Seanan McGuire problem; she’s my favourite author, so of course I need to read everything she’s ever written. This is both a blessing (she’s so prolific!) and curse (she’s so prolific!).

So many of her short stories make their way into anthologies, so I wind up committing to read anthology after anthology when all I wanted to do was read some Seanan. Oftentimes I find the majority of the other stories in these anthologies disappointing. Thankfully this wasn’t the case here.

This anthology, with a theme of female empowerment, contains both fiction and non-fiction. While there were a few contributions where I felt like I could almost hear the author thinking, ‘Okay, so I know the point I want to make but how do I get from here to there?’, overall I was surprised by how much I found to love. The contributions that either resonated with me the most or that I absolutely loved are marked with 💜.

On the Power of “Nasty Women” by Valerie Plame

“Am I a “nasty woman”? Damn right I am, and proud of it. That means my voice and my actions are being heard, causing change, and displacing those who are so determined to try to push us back to a time when we had no power, no place, no voice.”

The New Girl by Alexandra Sokoloff 💜

“Why doesn’t somebody do something about them?”

Welcome to the Sisterhood by Ellen Kirschman 💜

““Edwin is a legacy,” he said. “Take what you need from him, leave the rest behind and move on.””

Birthright by James L’Etoile

“Entitlement and privilege seemed to form a protective shield around the gathering of older white men.”

Conversation with Cara Black and Hallie Ephron by Cara Black and Hallie Ephron

“There was a story I wanted to tell, was passionate about - women and what they do to survive and what comes back to haunt them.”

Thoughts and Prayers by Joe Clifford

“That was also part of the problem - a preventable tragedy.”

Lifetime Appointment by Josh Stallings

“America was lost one degree at a time.”

Look at the Water, How it Sparkles by Seanan McGuire 💜

“If I told you that you could make everything good for this family forever, if you’d just agree to take a little walk one day, what would you say?”

Interview with Anne Lamott by Jacqueline Winspear

“I want people to know that we are all pretty much the same inside. We all know from loneliness and despair and the fear that we are frauds, and when I share my details of those very human experiences, it gives people a lift, that they are not uniquely screwed up and doomed.”

Down, Girl by Rachel Howzell Hall

“You can stay with me if you’d like.”

A Little Off the Top by Angel Luis Colón

“It was a strange game of chess but nobody else knew the rules.”

Living Alone by Eric Beetner 💜

“I can handle myself.”

Signs by Jess Lourey 💜

“Whenever things get really bad in my life - really bad - I receive a sign that lets me know I’m not alone.”

The Elephant in the Room by Wendy Corsi Staub 💜

““No tengas miedo. Estará bien.”
Don’t be afraid. It’ll be okay …”

A Test for Juniper Green by Danny Gardner

“I said, I’ll take care of it.”

No Body by Clea Simon

“Better to have no body, then, if this is what it brought.”

Suspended in Time by Kaira Rouda

“We believe that we ARE the people, just like you are the people, who must stand up, all of us, and do our part. Because this is what democracy looks like.”

Hysterical by Kelli Stanley

“I saw something. Something out there.”

Sneak Preview of Tiger Daughter by S.J. Rozan

“She was ready to take on anyone.”

Dangerous Deductions by Maria Alexander

“And then something bad happens.”

Conversation with Jacqueline Winspear and Rhys Bowen - Rhys Bowen and Jacqueline Winspear

“It showed them they were capable of so much more than they believed.”

Raven and the Cave Girl: An AKA Jayne Story by Dana Cameron

““You came here to kill me,” she said.”

Nasty by Toni L.P. Kelner

“Nobody made me take on the role of official black sheep in the family, but sometimes I wonder if things might have been different if I’d had a different name.”

Mother Church by Joshua Corin 💜

“The spirit of a thing never wavers.”

My Favourite Nasty Woman by Charlaine Harris

“not afraid to speak her mind and take action … and be prepared for the consequences. These are character traits I find admirable.”

Women on Fire by Jacqueline Winspear

“If the outcome affects us, then we’ve got skin in the game.”

The War Never Ends by Kate Thornton 💜

“But nightmares you have at night are a lot different from the ones you have during the day.”

The Lesson by Allison A. Davis

“The stuff they took, you can’t replace, you can’t fix.”

Harpy by Catriona McPherson

“Maybe someone sent me. To play you out.”

What Would Grace Hopper Do? Making Art in Interesting Times by Robin C. Stuart

“Creation is where we find our solace and our power.”

Wild Womb by Sandi Ault 💜

““Never mind,” she said. “I’m a dead woman anyway.””

An Insurrection by Bette Golden Lamb

“We were never free. Never free to choose. Our destiny was to reproduce. That was The Directive.”

Daddy’s Girls by Libby Fischer Hellmann

“She expected to be believed.”

Interview with Senator Barbara Boxer by Kelli Stanley

“In short, I believe there is only one reason to run for public office: to make life better for people.”

Learning to Fly by Alison Gaylin

“There are some moments in life that are like doors cracking open. You stand there, peering at the sliver of light on the other side, and you make a choice. You open the door wide and risk burning your eyes. Or you close it gently and live in the calm, cool dark.”

The Cycle by Travis Richardson

“This blue synthetic case was the most consistent thing in her world.”

The Gift by Heather Graham

“But the really important things they gave us were free - those were the gifts that really mattered.
Love. Acceptance. Empathy. Respect. A strong work ethic. Patriotism.”

Content warnings include mention of abortion, alcoholism, body shaming, bullying, death by suicide, domestic violence, drug use, foster care, gun violence, homophobia, miscarriage, racism and sexual assault.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Nasty Woman Press for the opportunity to read this anthology.

Was this review helpful?

This is an amazing collection of empowering stories about women. Some are tragic, some are thought provoking and some are just down right entertaining but all are great and carry an important message, especially in our current political environment. This is definitely a must read.

Was this review helpful?

Shattering Glass is a powerful and empowering book of stories by incredible authors who will encourage you to discuss, debate, and reread.
With fiction and non-fiction shorts and tributes, Shattered Glass will make you think more about the world around you and inspire you to be a voice of positive change.

*I received this ARC through NetGalley and this is my unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

This is an amazing idea for a publishing company. This is the first anthology from Nast Woman Press, a registered 501(c)(4) Nonprofit to fund other nonprofits. This particular anthology proceeds go to Planned Parenthood. Buy it for that if for no other reason. Luckily there are so many other reasons. This book is chock full of discussions, tributes, Fiction and non. This is not one to be devoured. It’s something to savor, to keep and reread. I plan to buy a paper version to pass around, maybe a couple.

Was this review helpful?

Review of Advance Reader eBook

“Shattered Glass” is an anthology composed of short stories, interviews, conversations, and essays, all wrapped around the singular theme of empowering women. The fictional stories [some based on true situations] run the gamut from humor to sad and heart-breaking. Interspersed with the stories, readers will find intriguing interviews, discussions, and non-fiction essays; as a whole, the authors offer narratives filled with power, pathos, insight, and hope. Thirty-eight authors contributed to the anthology, creating a body of work that gives readers much to ponder.

An “About the Authors” section follows the stories, giving a brief précis of each contributor to this collection.

Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Nasty Woman Press has come out of the gate with an anthology worthy of their moniker. Shattering Glass is a collection of works celebrating female empowerment – this includes short stories, interviews, and non-fiction essays designed to both entertain and educate the reader. Proceeds from the anthology will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

There is a wealth of excellent material contained within and as with any anthology, each reader will discover their own favorites. To give just a taste of the variety included, I wanted to highlight a few of the works that particularly resonated with me. I hope that it will inspire you to pick up the collection and discover your own favorites.

“Welcome to the Sisterhood”
by Ellen Kirschman

In this story, which could just as well be a true-crime account, Edwina is a woman born into a life that wasn’t hers, doing everything she can to survive. But when even her best efforts are not enough to keep her safe, she sets out to get revenge – and in the process finds a new family. This is a story with so many layers that readers will find themselves returning to it over and over.

“Birthright”
by James L’Etoile

Lydia Ramirez finds herself in jail while pregnant. Because of her husband’s snitching, the La Mesa gang members in her cell block make life a living hell for her. When an opportunity to transfer to special facility for pregnant prisoners is offered to her, she sees a glimmer of hope – but some things are too good to be true. James L’Etoile once again shows his vast knowledge of the American prison system, offering a difficult story to read, but one that is also hopeful about the possibility of reform – for the system as well as for the prisoners.

“A Conversation with Cara Black and Hallie Ephron”

Before these two accomplished authors begin to talk about the writing craft and the particular of being women writing about women in the crime fiction genre, they spend a brief moment talking about female artists that inspire them and who they consider to be “nasty women.” Black chooses Camille Claudel, while Ephron goes with Artemisia Gentileschi. Of course, the craft discussion that follows is wonderful and enlightening, but it is this opening section that makes this interview a must read.

“Thoughts and Prayers”
by Joe Clifford

Joe Clifford tells the story of Nadine. As the story opens she is on the way to the funeral for her son, who was senselessly slaughtered in a school shooting. With a father who is an NRA member and a mother dealing with dementia, Nadine’s mind runs off the tracks on this melancholy drive. Little does she know that when a chance encounter at the funeral allows her to speak her mind publicly, she also plants the seed for another mourner to go vigilante. This is a powerful story that ends at just the perfect moment to elicit much discussion and debate.

“Down, Girl”
by Rachel Howzell Hall

Just give all the 2020 short story awards to Rachel Howzell Hall now; there is just no reason to even debate it. This story is simply that good. Every line of “Down, Girl” oozes with subversive rebellion; Hall uses cultural touchstones as monuments and long-standing stereotypes as ammunition. No one gets off scot free in this story centered around one crazy bitch, highlighting the many social flaws that exist, all while wrapping it in the most f*cked-up depiction of rapport and friendship the genre has seen in years. I literally started re-reading it the moment I finished it the first time.


“Signs”
by Jess Lourey

This is one of the non-fiction pieces in the collection and also proves to be one of the most powerful. Not a surprise for those that have heard Lourey’s recounting of her life journey via her excellent TEDx Talk. In an essay that could easily have been depressing, Jess Lourey finds a way to give everyone hope even when facing the darkest of paths. This is writing that is impossible to forget and that helps to heal – both the reader and the writer.

“The Elephant in the Room”
by Wendy Corsi Staub

This is a short story with a Latina heroine, Sofia Belinda, who refuses to allow society to force denial of her heritage. Too many people expect her to speak English and to be ashamed of her “meager” belongings and it gets to be exhausting. Sometimes enough is enough. Staub brings Sofia to life and endears her to the reader, leaving them cheering by the end of the story.

“Hysterical”
by Kelli Stanley

This story about a man’s encounter with his female seatmate during a brief flight is pure wish fulfillment. Kelli Stanley places enough clues to let readers know that the differences between what the man thinks is happening and what is actually happening is a wide gulf indeed. Especially important is the validation that “small incidents” are often a sign of much bigger problems. Prepare to cheer by the end.

“Raven and the Cave Girl”
by Dana Cameron

Dana Cameron returns with another in her series of “AKA Jayne” stories. Here Jayne finds herself needing to trust a nemesis in order to discover the truth. Fans of the TV show ALIAS will find much to love in this story that takes the tropes of those testosterone-heavy action novels and dares to place a female in the lead. This is one of the longer stories in the collection, but many readers will wish that it could have gone on forever. Pure escapist fun that states its message by simply being true to itself and pushing back against unfair restrictions.

“Nasty”
by Toni L. P. Kelner

Toni L. P. Kelner graces this collection with a gem of a story. As the black sheep of her family, Natasha, has always had to rally against the horrible nickname bestowed upon her by her sister. Being constantly called Nasty would give anyone a complex, but Tasha finds a way to overcome it. When a family tragedy brings her face-to-face with her sister again, Natasha realizes that it might be time to embrace the trauma of familial abandonment (not to mention that mean-spirited nickname) and fight back. Kelner knows how to pace a story and “Nasty” builds nicely to a final moment that is unforgettable.

“Harpy”
by Catriona McPherson

In this episodic story, Catriona McPherson manipulates the legend of the mythological harpy in the most creative of ways. This story features a harpist who visits nursing homes for a very specific reason. Like the sounds of a harp itself, McPherson’s writing here calms the reader, soothes the soul, and allows for gentle contemplation of life’s many challenges.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: