Introduction

This took some doing. How on earth does one begin to choose a mere, magical twelve? Ultimately, I decided by creating three categories: stories that inspired me to write when I was much younger, and before I ever published, that lingered in my memory; next, contemporary stories that make me feel happy right now, ones that keep me writing. Then I snuck in a third category: new and upcoming writers, published by the University of Roehampton’s Fincham Press, where I am an editor. I think these five young women are fabulous now, and I think their writing is going to stay with you, and give you permission, and make you cry, and feel, and laugh in the future.