'OTHERHOOD
What's Otherhood about?
In Aotearoa 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.
Join us at the launches
We'll be celebrating with three launch events:
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Wednesday 8 May, 6pm, Meow, Pōneke/Wellington – with support from Schrodinger's Books
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Thursday 9 May, 6pm, Pocket Bar - The Bank event space, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland – with support from The Women's Bookshop
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Wednesday 15 May, 5:30pm University Bookshop, Ōtepoti/Dunedin
'Other' events & media
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Lil O'Brien on the AM breakfast TV show, Three, Tuesday 7 May, 7:40am
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Nine to Noon RNZ interview with all three editors, Wednesday 8 May, 11:25am
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OTHERHOOD at the Auckland Writers Festival, 4pm, May 19. With all three editors, Paula Morris and Steff Green
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Unity Books Wellington lunchtime chat with Grainne Patterson and Alie Benge. Tuesday 21 May, 12pm
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
