A few of you have been asking where you can see Holly this summer,
so we’ve pulled together a handy list below for you. Let us know if you’re
going to any!
Be kind to
yourself today and start your Sunday at a slower pace at Usborne YA’s Camp
Reset. We’ll teach you how to create messages of kindness in a laid back
origami workshop based on Holly Bourne’s brand new – and exclusively available
at YALC! – book Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes? Because
Kindness is contagious, and Holly Bourne wants to show you how.
“Feminist: A person who believes in the social, political, and economic
equality of all genders, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class,
religion, ability and sexual orientation.”
I am a feminist because I am too scared to walk alone at night.
I am a feminist because I got lined up in a classroom in order
of who had the nicest arse, aged thirteen, by all the boys in the class.
I am a feminist because everyone asks me if I’m feeling OK on
the days I don’t wear makeup.
I am a feminist because a man I was managing was paid the same as me.
I am a feminist because every girl I know was sexually harassed
before the age of sixteen.
I am a feminist because women write insightful and beautiful
books about relationships and they’re labelled chick lit. I am a feminist
because men write insightful and beautiful books about relationships and get
longlisted for the Booker prize.
I am a feminist because 50% of the films nominated for Best
Picture Academy Awards did not pass the simple Bechdel test.
I am a feminist because whenever I watch a movie, music video,
or open a magazine, I feel instantly insecure about my body.
I am a feminist because my two-year-old niece pointed to a
picture of a blue hat in a book and said, “Boy’s hat”.
I am a feminist because I am regularly interrupted by men
whenever I dare to open my mouth.
I am a feminist because when I do mixed-sex school visits, the
girls never, ever put their hand up to ask a question. But, when it’s just
girls, we usually have to leave extra time for questions.
I am a feminist because I feel I need to hide my tampon up my
sleeve on the way to the toilet.
I am a feminist because teenage boys come up to me at events
and ask if they’re “allowed” to read my books.
I am a feminist for all the boys I supported, working at a
charity, who would rather harm themselves than cry.
I am a feminist because my wonderful, caring, brilliant
feminist father has still never cleaned a toilet in his life.
I am a feminist because this is only the tip of it. The tip of
it in my privileged, first-world, pale-skinned, straight, fully-abled
life.
I am feminist for all the women for whom it is unimaginably
harder than it is for me.
I am a feminist because I am angry and exhausted and terrified
and frustrated and confused. And even though it’s so much harder to fight, so
much easier to roll over, I am a feminist because… how can you not be a
feminist?
I am a feminist for all the things I’m damaged by that I don’t
want to share here today.
I am a feminist. And I’m not saying that to make you feel
guilty and defensive. I’m not saying that because I think you’re a bad person.
I’m not saying that because I hate half of the human population and want them
all punished.
I am saying that because I believe every human being should
have an equal shot at a healthy and happy life, no matter what body they are
born into. And that’s not going to happen unless we fight, unless we speak up,
unless we occasionally make people feel uncomfortable, unless we – at the very
freaking least – TRY.
Since, Am I Normal Yet? was published, I’ve had so many of you asking if you can make your own Spinster Club. And my answer is always ‘YES OF COURSE!’ In fact, that was what I hoped my books would inspire. So I’m delighted to introduce the Spinster Club Hub – providing you with everything you need to set up your own club.
Because you really can change the world by sitting around with your friends, eating cheesy snacks, and talking about the all the weirdness that you have to put up with by being a girl. In fact there’s a posh word for Spinster Clubs. They’re called ‘consciousness raising groups’ and historically a LOT of world-changing stuff has come out of them. You’ve got to know about a problem before you can solve it. You’ve got to name it, got to talk about it, got to accept that it’s there. And where better to do this than surrounded by friends you love, and sharing your stories somewhere you feel safe?
Talking and sharing leads to campaigning and protesting. So, please go nuts! Get the cheese in. Download the AMAZING Spinster Club resources here and go forth spinsters and start spinstering! And please, please, do tweet me/Instagram me all your Spinsterly movements. I cannot wait to see all the amazing stuff you do.
Last night Holly’s How Hard Can Love Be? tour made its way
to Dublin for an amazing Spinster Club evening in Department 51 at Easons O’Connell Street, where a reading, spinster chat, arm knitting(!!) and cheesy snacks were all on the agenda!
(We love that it looks like Holly is belting out a tune down the mic!)
Look at that temple of Holly Bourne books AND cheesy snacks!
Sunday 7th February, from 1pm at St Annes Place, Lytham St Annes
An afternoon of events to
celebrate friendship, feminism and frankly brilliant books. Hosted by Storytellers Inc this empowering
afternoon is sure to pass the Bechdel test with a fantastic line-up of current
teen/YA authors including Non Pratt, Keris Stainton, Sara Barnard, Natasha Farrant and Jenny Maclachan.
Tuesday 23rd February, 7pm at Drink, Shop, Do, London
Join Holly, fellow Usborne author Kathryn Evans, Eve Ainsworth and Nicci Cloke for readings, cocktails, an utterly ridiculous short story challenge and book signings.
Tickets are free – book your place via Eventbrite.
Three of the very best writers for YA, Sarah Crossan, Sita
Brahmachari and Holly Bourne join forces for a session guaranteed to
entertain, to inspire, and to provoke debate and laughter.
So, you know how Amber was always OFF ON ONE in Am I Normal Yet? about the other spinster club girls and their boy troubles? Well, I decided it would be fun if Miss Cynic fell in love. Hard.
I can’t believe How Hard Can Love Be? is out TODAY. I hope you love Amber’s journey as much as I do. Here’s to nice boys who call themselves feminists, Dumbledore’s Army, rainbows, and American roadtrips. See you at Summer Camp!
To celebrate the launch of How Hard Can Love Be? we will be hosting #14DaysofLove – a celebration
of love in all its forms – from first love to friendships to family. Keep an eye out for exclusive videos, competitions and more! Join in with #14daysoflove and #HHCLB.