About Raw Nerve Books
Raw Nerve Books is a small, not-for-profit feminist press publishing controversial, under-represented and experimental work. We produce a range of material within the arts and academia and are developing writing that spans print and web media. See, for example, The Feminist Seventies and Hello World.
Whatever the genre, our aim is to inspire new discussions in areas crucial to women's lives and feminism, asking questions that might indeed touch a 'raw nerve' with many readers. Equally vital is our belief that to take pleasure in, and responsibility for, our ideas, our writing and our politics it is important to directly intervene in the process by which work is published. To this end we foster a collaborative relationship between author and publisher, and our writers become part of Raw Nerve. Authors are closely involved in the process of producing, publicising, designing and selling their work and publication decisions are, whenever possible, reached by consensus.
Raw Nerve Books was formed in 1999 by Heloise Brown, Madi Gilkes and Ann Kaloski when, after the dynamic White?Women conference at York, we felt that important ideas had been debated that should be circulated more widely. While sending a proposal to a mainstream academic publisher was our first thought, we were concerned that the active anti-racism of the conference would be compromised by using publishers' finite resources. In addition, we wanted to publish quickly.
Somehow the idea of self-publishing arose, and very soon we began to commission articles from conference participants and to develop the ethical, political, academic and creative scope of Raw Nerve - as well as racking our brains for ways to be financially viable. Three edited collections followed: White?Women, Celebrating Women's Friendship and Cyborg Lives?.
Raw Nerve Books continues to be run on a shoestring and we all work in our spare time 'for love and politics'. We are based at the Centre for Women's Studies, University of York, UK, and supported by both the Centre and the Department of English. We are also supported by the good humour and expertise of an excellent local printer, York Publishing Services and are able to afford to publish exciting books by printing short runs and reprinting frequently - see our publications page for the print and web booklist. In addition we have a wonderful group of people who edit, proof, offer their transport, kettles and inspiration and help sustain the venture - many, many thanks to all concerned.
Raw Nerve Books is based at the Centre for Women's Studies, University of York, UK, and is supported by both the Centre and the Department of English. We are also supported by the good humour and expertise of an excellent local printer, York Publishing Services and we are able to afford to publish exciting books by printing short runs and reprinting frequently; see our publications page. All print books are available direct from Raw Nerve (sterling cheques or money orders only) or from good bookshops. If you wish to buy online via a secure server we highly recommend Libertas Book Shop: look out for the links by selected books.
We welcome proposals in line with the ethos and current publishing schedule of Raw Nerve, and are open to suggestions. Please check out our submission guidelines.
Comments or queries about the web site should be directed to Ann Kaloski at the address below
Raw Nerve Books
Centre for Women's Studies University of York York YO10 5DD England
tel: +1904 433674/1 fax: +1904 433670 email: info@rawnervebooks.co.uk