Yesterday I saw that Flavorwire had posted a list of 10 Real-Life Literary Power Couples. There were no lesbians. So I tweeted about that. And decided to start a list here to include some of the suggestions I got, both present-day and historical.
Note: I'm using the terms lesbian, lit, couple, power and even historical loosely. Though, okay, 'couple' means they probably had (or, hey, are still having) sex with each other, and 'lit' means they were or are writer, publisher, editor, critic, translator, distributor, agent and/or founder of some importance and influence.
- Margurite Yourcenar and Grace Frick
- Jackie Kay and Carol Ann Duffy
- Sarah Orne Jewett and Annie Fields
- Val McDermid and Kelly Smith
- Barbara Grier and Donna McBride
- Delia Sherman and Ellen Kushner
- Sappho and Atthis
- Minnie Bruce Pratt and Leslie Feinberg
- Renée Vivien and Natalie Barney
- Victoria Brownworth and Judith Redding
- Ann Godoff and Annik LaFarge
- Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf
- Margaret Anderson and Jane Heap
- Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas
- Melissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett
- Shirley Meier and Karen Wehrstein
- Zoë Strachan and Louise Welsh
- Rita Mae Brown and Fannie Flagg
- Ivy Compton-Burnett and Margaret Jourdain
- Patricia Highsmith and Marijane Meaker
- Kelley Eskridge and Nicola Griffith
- Gloria Anzaldúa and Cheríe Moraga
- Alice Walker and Tracy Chapman
- Adrienne Rich and Michelle Cliff
- H.D. and Bryher
- Anne-Marie MacDonald and Alisa Palmer
- Marie-Claire Blaise and Mary Meigs
- Amy Bloom and Joy Johannessen
- Emma Donoghue and Chris Roulston
- Susie Orbach and Jeanette Winterson
- Charlotte Mendelson and Joanna Briscoe
- Louise Fitzhugh and Sandra Scoppettone
- Tanya Huff and Fiona Patton
- Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner
Thanks to @RonHogan, @karolnielson @Bluestalking @timothypower67 @cd_coleman @kelleyeskridge @kellyoyo @klytaemnestra @BeMissH @ktirah @Julia_Watcon @syntactics @The_Nomad_Motel @cecilseaskull and others.
So, as I've said, this is just a start. Make suggestions (here in the comments or Facebook or Twitter) and I'll add.
Posts
Zoe Strachan and Louise Welsh!
ReplyDeleteMelissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett
ReplyDeleteSally, margaret, got it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRita Mae Brown & Fannie Flagg (historical)
ReplyDeleteRon, got it. I never knew they were sweeties!
ReplyDeleteAre there any gay men power couples or is this like asking to see the unicorn?
ReplyDeleteMichael, yes there are. Why don't you start a list?
ReplyDeleteIn The Netherlands I know of at least one lesbian married couple. They are Claudia de Breij and Connie Kraaijeveld. Claudia is a writer, presenter and standup comedian. Connie is a presenter for a local TV station.
ReplyDeletegreat list! thanks for this. didn't know about FF and RMB <3 them both. or gloria anzaldua and cherie moraga. <3 them too.
ReplyDeletenicolas, sadly TV presenter doesn't quite fit my (admittedly vague) lit criteria.
ReplyDeleteLiz, I know! I'm learning a lot.
Jeanette Winterson and Susie Orbach (and/or you could count Jeanette Winterson and Peggy Reynolds, if you count academia as literary)
ReplyDeleteLouise Fitzhugh and Sandra Scoppettone (according to the link below, they dated for a while, and they definitely collaborated professionally and were lifelong friends).
ReplyDeletehttp://purple-socks.webmage.com/regard.htm
Oh, and Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if Annie Leibovitz can count as literary, but if she does, then her and Susan Sontag.
ReplyDeleteelswhere, very cool! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDavid, hmmn, I'm not sure. What does everyone else think: does Annie Leibovitz count as literary?
ReplyDeleteAnnie Leibovitz has quite a few books in print. Doesn't that count as literary?
ReplyDeleteOwning at least three of AL's books, I would say no. I think that's stretching it a bit even though one of them does have her writing some - she talks about setting up shots, etc. And while they clearly had a very deep connection and long-term relationship, I'm not sure you could call them a couple. It's a shame, but Susan Sontag never seemed to say that in public. It is a big regret of AL's that they didn't collaborate/work together more. I think I read that in one of her books, so maybe I'm wrong. :)
ReplyDeleteHer book about her life has about 10 pages of writing in it, and 4 or 500 (unnumbered) pages of photos. It certainly tells a story. And the few words she does give us add to that.
But I suppose if you're going to count Lily Tomlin, you could count her too. What the hell.
Cool list.
you already mentioned Delia Sherman and Ellen Kushner, but i shall mention them again: two of the best teachers i ever had (at the Clarion 2010 Workshop) and all the more so because of the way they fit together. "lesbian", "lit", "power", and "couple" are not separate terms here: the wit, insight, openness, and love that make them a delightful couple to be around is, i believe, exactly what makes the two of them such great writers and teachers.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot Charlotte Mendelson and Joanna Briscoe!
ReplyDeleteGreg, yes, I've known those two since they were a new couple.
ReplyDeletecdcoleman95, aaargh!! You're right! Fixed.
Greg: I blush.
ReplyDeleteEls: I bow in awe and wonder at your encyclopedic (dare I say librarianic?) knowledge. Oddly enough, was just having dinner last week with someone telling us about studying in London with Peggy Reynolds - says everyone in the class was in love with her, male & female. Red heads; who can resist 'em?
Greg, I second you (or third or fourth by this time) on Ellen Kushner and Delia Sherman. It was SO great to meet both of you at Sirens! You were so much fun to be around, and I feel like I learned a ton from both of you just by being near you. Literary osmosis. Plus I spent a lot of the time laughing, which is always good :)
ReplyDeleteAnd do Malinda Lo and her partner count? I don't know Malinda's partner's name, but I'd count them.
Tanya Huff and Fiona Patton
ReplyDeleteA.Grey, I don't know if Malinda's partner has anything to do with writing/publishing.
ReplyDeletejulieandrews, got it.