Naiad press
Encyclopedia
Naiad Press was one of the first publishing companies dedicated to lesbian literature
. At its closing it was the oldest and largest lesbian/feminist publisher in the world.
and Donna McBride in January 1973, along with Anyda Marchant
and Muriel Crawford. It was devoted exclusively to lesbian literature
. The company began both in Kansas City, Missouri
, home of Grier and McBride and Rehoboth Beach, DE, home of Marchant and Crawford. The business began with $2000, provided by the author of the Press's first work, The Latecomer by Sarah Aldridge
, the pen name of lawyer Anyda Marchant, and her partner Muriel Crawford.
In 1973, there were few bookstores which would carry such overtly lesbian materials, so Naiad Press relied heavily on mail order
in order to market and sell books. Naiad benefitted from its use of the 3800-member mailing list of The Ladder
, a prominent and recently defunct lesbian newsletter published by the Daughters of Bilitis
. "Naiad's commitment to the publication of lesbian material included the use of its profits from one book to produce the next".
In addition to original writings, Naiad published out-of-print lesbian fiction
, such as novels of Ann Bannon
, Jane Rule
and Gale Wilhelm
and acquired rights and brought back into print poetry by Gertrude Stein
and translations of poetry by Renee Vivien
. Early book covers were designed by Tee Corinne
. Naiad was credited with playing "a crucial role in bringing lesbian mysteries into prominence in the 1980s" by publishing award-winning series featuring detectives Kate Delafield, Carol Ashton, Caitlin Reece, Virginia Kelley and others.
Authors Sarah Schulman
and Patrick Califia
were first published by Naiad Press. Its genre fiction authors included prolific and award-winning writers such as Katherine V. Forrest
, Claire McNab
and Karin Kallmaker
.
Naiad achieved national prominence in 1985 with its publication of Lesbian Nuns: Breaking Silence, for which it reportedly paid Rosemary Kurb and Nancy Manahan $500,000. The book was banned in Boston. The press also published other nonfiction work, such as The Lesbian Periodical Index, The Lesbian in Literature, and Staying Power: Long-Term Lesbian Couples.
In 2002, Grier and McBride received the Pioneer Award from the Lambda Literary Foundation
. On their retirement in 2003, Grier and McBride sold their current stock to Bella Books
. Many Naiad Press authors transferred their contracts to Bella Books.
, completing delivery of their massive collection of memorabilia, lesbian and gay literature, including many classic lesbian pulp fiction titles in 1998. Correspondence in the collection includes exchanges with contracted authors as well as other literary luminaries and influences such as Dorothy Allison
, Rita Mae Brown
, Nancy Berreano of publishing houses Crossing and Firebrand, Andrea Dworkin
, Audre Lorde
, Sherry Thomas of Old Wives Tales feminist bookstore and Spinsters Ink, and background material on the establishment of the Women in Print Conferences which began in 1976 and are widely credited with creating the Feminist Bookstore Network.
Clothing, banners, posters, T-shirts and scrapbooks comprise the memorabilia in the collection. Extensive audio recordings made of interviews and news programs over the press's history are also in the collection.The San Francisco Public Library History Center holds the considerable collection of archival photographs of lesbian and gay literary figures.
Lesbian literature
This is a list of books portraying sexual relations between female characters, who may include lesbians, bisexuals and WSWs.-Classic fiction and drama:*The Bachelor Girl – Victor Margueritte –...
. At its closing it was the oldest and largest lesbian/feminist publisher in the world.
History
Naiad Press was founded by partners Barbara GrierBarbara Grier
Barbara Grier was an American writer and publisher most widely known for co-founding Naiad Press and writing and editing The Ladder under the pseudonym Gene Damon.-Early life:...
and Donna McBride in January 1973, along with Anyda Marchant
Sarah Aldridge
Sarah Aldridge was the pen name of Anyda Marchant , who was a founding partner for Naiad Press 1973 and A&M Books in 1995, and a writer of primarily lesbian popular fiction....
and Muriel Crawford. It was devoted exclusively to lesbian literature
Lesbian literature
This is a list of books portraying sexual relations between female characters, who may include lesbians, bisexuals and WSWs.-Classic fiction and drama:*The Bachelor Girl – Victor Margueritte –...
. The company began both in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, home of Grier and McBride and Rehoboth Beach, DE, home of Marchant and Crawford. The business began with $2000, provided by the author of the Press's first work, The Latecomer by Sarah Aldridge
Sarah Aldridge
Sarah Aldridge was the pen name of Anyda Marchant , who was a founding partner for Naiad Press 1973 and A&M Books in 1995, and a writer of primarily lesbian popular fiction....
, the pen name of lawyer Anyda Marchant, and her partner Muriel Crawford.
In 1973, there were few bookstores which would carry such overtly lesbian materials, so Naiad Press relied heavily on mail order
Mail order
Mail order is a term which describes the buying of goods or services by mail delivery. The buyer places an order for the desired products with the merchant through some remote method such as through a telephone call or web site. Then, the products are delivered to the customer...
in order to market and sell books. Naiad benefitted from its use of the 3800-member mailing list of The Ladder
The Ladder
* "Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002...
, a prominent and recently defunct lesbian newsletter published by the Daughters of Bilitis
Daughters of Bilitis
The Daughters of Bilitis , was the first lesbian rights organization in the United States. It was formed in San Francisco in 1955, conceived as a social alternative to lesbian bars, which were considered illegal and thus subject to raids and police harassment...
. "Naiad's commitment to the publication of lesbian material included the use of its profits from one book to produce the next".
In addition to original writings, Naiad published out-of-print lesbian fiction
Lesbian fiction
Lesbian fiction is a subgenre of fiction that involves one or more primary female homosexual character and lesbian themes. Novels that fall into this category may be of any genres, such as, but not limited to, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and romance.-History:The first...
, such as novels of Ann Bannon
Ann Bannon
Ann Bannon is an American author who, from 1957 to 1962, wrote six lesbian pulp fiction novels known as The Beebo Brinker Chronicles. The books' enduring popularity and impact on lesbian identity has earned her the title "Queen of Lesbian Pulp Fiction"...
, Jane Rule
Jane Rule
Jane Vance Rule, CM, OBC was a Canadian writer of lesbian-themed novels and non-fiction.-Biography:Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Jane Vance Rule was the oldest daughter of Carlotta Jane and Arthur Richards Rule. She claimed she was a tomboy growing up and felt like an outsider for reaching six...
and Gale Wilhelm
Gale Wilhelm
Gale Wilhelm was an American writer most noted for two books that featured lesbian themes written in the 1930s: We Too Are Drifting and Torchlight to Valhalla.- Early life :...
and acquired rights and brought back into print poetry by Gertrude Stein
Gertrude Stein
Gertrude Stein was an American writer, poet and art collector who spent most of her life in France.-Early life:...
and translations of poetry by Renee Vivien
Renée Vivien
Renée Vivien, born Pauline Mary Tarn was a British poet who wrote in the French language. She took to heart all the mannerisms of Symbolism, as one of the last poets to claim allegiance to the school...
. Early book covers were designed by Tee Corinne
Tee Corinne
Tee Corine was a lesbian visual artist notable for the portrayal of sexuality in her artwork.-Early life and education:Corinne was born and grew up in Florida. Her mother introduced her to principles and techniques for making visual art...
. Naiad was credited with playing "a crucial role in bringing lesbian mysteries into prominence in the 1980s" by publishing award-winning series featuring detectives Kate Delafield, Carol Ashton, Caitlin Reece, Virginia Kelley and others.
Authors Sarah Schulman
Sarah Schulman
Sarah Miriam Schulman is an American novelist, historian and playwright. An early chronicler of the AIDS crisis, she wrote on AIDS and social issues, publishing in The Village Voice in the early 1980s, and writing the first piece on AIDS and the homeless, which appeared in The Nation...
and Patrick Califia
Patrick Califia
Patrick Califia , born 1954 near Corpus Christi, Texas is a writer of nonfiction essays about sexuality and of erotic fiction and poetry. Califia is a bisexual trans man.-Biography:...
were first published by Naiad Press. Its genre fiction authors included prolific and award-winning writers such as Katherine V. Forrest
Katherine V. Forrest
Katherine V. Forrest is an American writer.Forrest is best known for her eight novels about lesbian police detective Kate Delafield. The character was the very first lesbian police detective in the American lesbian mystery genre and is described as "Miss Marple with k.d...
, Claire McNab
Claire McNab
Claire McNab is the pseudonym of Claire Carmichael. She was born in Melbourne, Australia. While pursuing a career as a high school teacher in Sydney, she began her writing career with comedy plays and textbooks. She left teaching in the mid-eighties to become a full-time writer...
and Karin Kallmaker
Karin Kallmaker
Karin Kallmaker is the prolific American author of lesbian fiction whose works also include those originally written under the name Laura Adams. Her writings span lesbian romance, lesbian erotica, and lesbian science-fiction/fantasy...
.
Naiad achieved national prominence in 1985 with its publication of Lesbian Nuns: Breaking Silence, for which it reportedly paid Rosemary Kurb and Nancy Manahan $500,000. The book was banned in Boston. The press also published other nonfiction work, such as The Lesbian Periodical Index, The Lesbian in Literature, and Staying Power: Long-Term Lesbian Couples.
In 2002, Grier and McBride received the Pioneer Award from the Lambda Literary Foundation
Lambda Literary Foundation
The Lambda Literary Foundation is the largest LGBT literary organization in the world. The foundation's mission is to nurture, celebrate, and preserve Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender literature through three programs that honor excellence, promote visibility and encourage development of...
. On their retirement in 2003, Grier and McBride sold their current stock to Bella Books
Bella Books
Bella Books is a small press publisher of lesbian literature that is based in Tallahassee, Florida. The chief executive officer is Linda Hill, who is also the chief executive officer of Spinsters Ink and BeanPole Books....
. Many Naiad Press authors transferred their contracts to Bella Books.
The Naiad Press Collection at Gay and Lesbian Center of the SFPL
In 1992, Grier established the Naiad Press Collection at the James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center of the San Francisco Public LibrarySan Francisco Public Library
The San Francisco Public Library is a public library system serving the city of San Francisco. Its main library is located in San Francisco's Civic Center, at 100 Larkin Street at Grove. The first public library of San Francisco officially opened in 1879, just 30 years after the California Gold...
, completing delivery of their massive collection of memorabilia, lesbian and gay literature, including many classic lesbian pulp fiction titles in 1998. Correspondence in the collection includes exchanges with contracted authors as well as other literary luminaries and influences such as Dorothy Allison
Dorothy Allison
Dorothy Allison is an American writer, speaker, and member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers.-Early life:Dorothy E. Allison was born on April 11, 1949 in Greenville, South Carolina to Ruth Gibson Allison, who was fifteen at the time. Ruth was a poor and unmarried mother who worked as a...
, Rita Mae Brown
Rita Mae Brown
Rita Mae Brown is an American writer. She is best known for her first novel Rubyfruit Jungle. Published in 1973, it dealt with lesbian themes in an explicit manner unusual for the time...
, Nancy Berreano of publishing houses Crossing and Firebrand, Andrea Dworkin
Andrea Dworkin
Andrea Rita Dworkin was an American radical feminist and writer best known for her criticism of pornography, which she argued was linked to rape and other forms of violence against women....
, Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde was a Caribbean-American writer, poet and activist.-Life:...
, Sherry Thomas of Old Wives Tales feminist bookstore and Spinsters Ink, and background material on the establishment of the Women in Print Conferences which began in 1976 and are widely credited with creating the Feminist Bookstore Network.
Clothing, banners, posters, T-shirts and scrapbooks comprise the memorabilia in the collection. Extensive audio recordings made of interviews and news programs over the press's history are also in the collection.The San Francisco Public Library History Center holds the considerable collection of archival photographs of lesbian and gay literary figures.
Prominent authors
- Sarah AldridgeSarah AldridgeSarah Aldridge was the pen name of Anyda Marchant , who was a founding partner for Naiad Press 1973 and A&M Books in 1995, and a writer of primarily lesbian popular fiction....
- Nikki Baker
- Ann BannonAnn BannonAnn Bannon is an American author who, from 1957 to 1962, wrote six lesbian pulp fiction novels known as The Beebo Brinker Chronicles. The books' enduring popularity and impact on lesbian identity has earned her the title "Queen of Lesbian Pulp Fiction"...
- Katherine V. ForrestKatherine V. ForrestKatherine V. Forrest is an American writer.Forrest is best known for her eight novels about lesbian police detective Kate Delafield. The character was the very first lesbian police detective in the American lesbian mystery genre and is described as "Miss Marple with k.d...
- Barbara GrierBarbara GrierBarbara Grier was an American writer and publisher most widely known for co-founding Naiad Press and writing and editing The Ladder under the pseudonym Gene Damon.-Early life:...
- Karin KallmakerKarin KallmakerKarin Kallmaker is the prolific American author of lesbian fiction whose works also include those originally written under the name Laura Adams. Her writings span lesbian romance, lesbian erotica, and lesbian science-fiction/fantasy...
- Lee Lynch
- Jaye Maiman
- Claire McNabClaire McNabClaire McNab is the pseudonym of Claire Carmichael. She was born in Melbourne, Australia. While pursuing a career as a high school teacher in Sydney, she began her writing career with comedy plays and textbooks. She left teaching in the mid-eighties to become a full-time writer...
- Isabel Miller
- Jane RuleJane RuleJane Vance Rule, CM, OBC was a Canadian writer of lesbian-themed novels and non-fiction.-Biography:Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Jane Vance Rule was the oldest daughter of Carlotta Jane and Arthur Richards Rule. She claimed she was a tomboy growing up and felt like an outsider for reaching six...
- Diane Salvatore
- Ann Allen Shockley
- Robbi Sommers
- Sheila Ortiz-Taylor
- Valerie Taylor
- Gale WilhelmGale WilhelmGale Wilhelm was an American writer most noted for two books that featured lesbian themes written in the 1930s: We Too Are Drifting and Torchlight to Valhalla.- Early life :...
Further reading
- Rapp, Linda. "Grier, Barbara" in glbtq.com: An Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Culture.
- Zimmerman, Bonnie. Safe Sea of Women: Lesbian Literature 1969-1989, 1992 (Beacon).