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A Bookshop of One's Own

How a Group of Women Set Out to Change the World

A Bookshop of One's Own cover

A Bookshop of One's Own

How a Group of Women Set Out to Change the World

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Pre-order. Available Jun 26 2025
$24.48 RRP $30.60 Website price saving $6.12 (20%)

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Description

What was it like to start a feminist bookshop, in an industry dominated by men? How could a lesbian thrive in Thatcher's time, with the government legislating to restrict her rights? How do you run a business when your real aim is to change the world?

Silver Moon was the dream of three women – a bookshop with the mission to promote the work of female writers and create a much-needed safe space for any woman. Founded in 1980s London against a backdrop of homophobia and misogyny, it was a testament to the power of community, growing into Europe's biggest women's bookshop and hosting a constellation of literary stars from Margaret Atwood and Maya Angelou to Angela Carter. While contending with day-to-day struggles common to other booksellers, plus the additional burdens of misogyny and the occasional hate crime, Jane Cholmeley and her booksellers created a thriving business. But they also played a crucial and relatively unsung part in one the biggest social movements of our time.

A Bookshop of One's Own is a fascinating slice of social history from the heart of the women's liberation movement, from a true feminist and lesbian icon. Written with heart and humour, it reveals the struggle and joy that comes with starting an underdog business, while being a celebration of the power women have to change the narrative when they are the ones holding the pen.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
1. Who Am I?
2. The Dream Was Born
3. From Dream to Reality
4. Cash, Competition, Confusion and GLC Committees
5. From Dickensian Hovel to Shining Silver Moon
6. People, Books and Everything Else …
7. The Charing Cross Road Is Ours!
8. How Do We Do It?
9. Feminism Meets the Gentleman's Profession
10. The Customers
11. Wonderful Women All – and One Bitch
12. Coming Out
13. Pride: Politics, Partying and a Red Arrows Fly-past
14. Violence
15. 'Star worshippy' Is Fine by Me
16. Silver Moon Means Business, 1984–1992
17. A Day in the Life of … (1996)
18. Silver Moon Means Business, 1992–2001
19. Culture or Carnage?
20. Bastard Landlords
21. A Changing World
22. Goodbye, Silver Moon
23. Postscripts and Legacy

Product details

Bloomsbury Academic Test
Published Jun 26 2025
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 384
ISBN 9798765154106
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Illustrations 4 bw illus; 12 bw photos; 3 tables
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Jane Cholmeley

Jane Cholmeley is a key figure in British feminism…

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