Dykewords: An Anthology of Lesbian Writing

Janet Money is Sports Editor of the Woodstock Daily Sentinel-Review.

Dykewords is the second in a planned series of collections of Canadian
lesbian writings (the first being Dykeversions). The Lesbian Writing and
Publishing Collective is committed to feminism, antiracism, and social
responsibility, and that commitment is evident in this collection of
short fiction, poetry, texts, and drama.

Kathryn Ann’s “Michigan,” a tale of seduction set at a women’s
music festival, handles alcoholism in a sensitive way. The lesbian
national pastime of softball provides a backdrop for fantasizing in
Candis J. Graham’s “Primrose Path.” Coming-out issues, monogamy,
aging, and other lesbian concerns are generally deftly handled by these
29 writers.

But it’s an uneven collection. Lesbians are only just emerging as
writers in Canada, and some of these 29 will doubtlessly improve as more
opportunities for publication arise. This Women’s Press series
contributes to a valuable and promising trend.