How did Dyke Books come about?
Jean Taylor had written a book and couldn’t get it published so it was decided to set up a not-for-profit community-based feminist publishing house to publish books by, for and about lesbians, based on Jean’s previous experience with self-publishing.
In 1984, after publishing four of her own books, 1976 – 1980, Jean established Dykebooks in 1984 with a logo and a publishing name to continue publishing her novels, plays, poetry and short stories, 1984 – 1994, (see website). Jean also supported two other writers, Robin Gregory with Novice Death and Luanscot Danaan’s Journey to the Matrix to self-publish their own work under the Dykebooks logo.
When did Dyke Books start?
Dyke Books Inc was incorporated in January 2008 to provide a legal entity and a community-based collective way of publishing lesbian books.
Why did you feel the need for Dyke Books?
Many lesbian writers still have difficulty having their writing published, especially if it has lesbian content. As a lesbian specific publisher our aims and objectives are:
1. To promote lesbian culture.
2. To provide opportunities for lesbian writers to self-publish their own writing.
3. To encourage lesbian writers and lesbian writing.
4. To work within a feminist framework of feminist principles and practice.
5. To acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Woiwurrung language group of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians and owners of the land Dyke Books Inc is based on.
What is Dyke Books’ relationship with social movements?
Dyke Books Inc is part of the lesbian feminist community in Australia and overseas and incorporates a political as well as social overview in the work it does. For example, apart from the educative nature of the books we’ve published, we’ve also launched our books as a community event with readings, music, singing and food.
Does this make you different to other publishers?
As a not-for-profit community-based publisher, Dyke Books Inc does not have a profit-making motive to exist or keep going. By only having to worry about covering costs Dyke Books can publish books that would be too large and expensive for other publishers to consider publishing and still make a profit.
As a small, specialist publisher, what do you provide that larger publishers or internet self-publishing doesn’t?
By prioritising lesbian writers and lesbian books, Dyke Books Inc provides the opportunity for lesbians to have their books published and read; gives lesbian readers the chance to read lesbian writing; and has an informative influence on the wider society.
What have been your successes?
Since its inception Dyke Books has published The Archives Trilogy by Jean Taylor. These three comprehensive books document three decades of the Women’s Liberation Movement as well as lesbian feminist and radical feminist activism, as follows:
Brazen Hussies: A Herstory of Radical Activism in the Women’s Liberation Movement in Victoria 1970 – 1979 was launched by the former Premier of Victoria Joan Kirner at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre in Lonsdale Street in 2009.
Stroppy Dykes: Radical Lesbian Feminist Activism in Victoria During the 1980s, was launched by singer songwriter Judy Small at the Warr Park Community Centre in Brunswick in 2012.
Lesbians Ignite! In Victoria In the 1990s was launched by the singer songwriter Lou Bennett of the Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung people at the Warr Park Community Centre in Brunswick in April 2016. And thanks to a grant from the City of Melbourne Arts Grants Program the second edition of Lesbians Ignite! was launched by the award-winning playwright Patricia Cornelius at the Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre in Carlton in November 2016
All three books cover most of the actions, conferences, marches, publications, musical and theatrical events that were organised during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in Victoria and elsewhere and provides a comprehensive overview of lesbian and feminist political activism. Several lesbian and feminist activists were interviewed by Jean or wrote their own stories and these were included in all three books to compliment and add to the documented evidence of these vibrant years.
What are your plans for the future?
Dyke Books Inc plans to continue to publish books by, for and about lesbians.
In conversation with Jean Taylor, Dyke Books. March 2017.