'OTHERHOOD
What's Otherhood about?
The number of people who will never have children is growing – and they're pushing back against the narrative that if they don't, their lives will be somehow 'less than'.
OTHERHOOD's essays are by writers who've felt on the outside looking in, who've lived unexpected lives and who've given the finger to social expectations. Some chose to be childfree, some didn't get to choose and some – through bereavement or blended family dynamics – ask themselves: Am I a mother or am I other?
These 35 hilarious, heartbreaking and thought-provoking essays (and one comic) cover topics including religion, blended families, bereavement, Te Ao Māori, queerness, the foster care system, disability, infertility, domestic violence, abortion, freedom from social expectations – and of course, the joys of being a big DINK (Double Income No Kids).
Thought-provoking, moving and often hilarious, OTHERHOOD opens a more inclusive conversation about what makes a fulfilling life.
"Otherhood is a vibrant antithesis to the assumption that only biological motherhood can fulfil a life and a testament to the various connections that shape our lives."
"In their introduction, the editors explain that their aim when putting together the anthology was to be able to contribute to a 'more inclusive conversation'. And they’ve succeeded."
OTHERHOOD
is a bestseller!
We made it to number four on the Indie Bookseller's Bestsellers List, number seven on the NZ bestseller's list, and more!
Otherhood is available from select NZ bookstores and online on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more for international readers. Please request a copy from the bookstore if it's out of stock – this helps to drive demand. Thank you!
'Other' events
Past events
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Editors Kathryn and Lil were chatting all things OTHERHOOD at the Queenstown Writer's Festival on November 2, 2024.
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Our editor Kathryn and our contributors Iona, Lily and Henrietta had a moving chat at the Nelson Arts Festival on 25 October 2024.
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OTHERHOOD was at WORD Writers Festival Christchurch in September, and had the biggest signing line of the festival!
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We had book showers in three cities: Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin during May 2024. What a wonderful whirlwind!
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Did you catch OTHERHOOD at the Auckland Writers' Festival in May?
Media
Interviews & write-ups
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Lil O'Brien on the AM TV show, watch here
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Nine to Noon RNZ interview with all three editors, listen here
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Lil & Kathryn on Grey Areas podcast with Petra Bagust, listen on Spotify
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Lil on the Kiwi Yarns podcast with Brodie Kane, listen on Spotify
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'What makes a fulfilling life' about Otherhood, on Capsule, read here
Reviews
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Review on Kete Books, read here
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Review on the Aotearoa New Zealand Review of Books website, read here
Essay excerpts
Introducing our contributors
Alie Benge
Amie Taua
Andi C. Buchanan
Anna Borrie
Carolijn Guytonbeck
Donelle McKinley
Feby Idrus
Gabrielle Amodeo
Ghazaleh Gol
Golriz Ghahraman
Grainne Patterson
Hazel Phillips
Helen Rickerby
Henrietta Bollinger
Hinemoana Baker
Iona Winter
Jackie Clarke
Janie Smith
Jazial Crossley
Kathryn van Beek
Kate Camp
Kerry Sunderland
Lil O'Brien
Lily Duval
Linda Collins
Linda Rooney
Lori Leigh
Lucy O'Connor
Melanie Newfield
Michaela Tempany
Nicola Brown
Paula Morris
Raina Ng
Sam Orchard
Shaneel Lal
Steff Green
About the editors
