Photos: Main Paige Media
Mission & Vision
All She Wrote Books is an intersectional bookstore that elevates female, queer and non-binary authored books to readers. In July 2020, we opened our first brick-and-mortar location in Somerville, MA, where we can showcase these authors and books and have space to create a community of writers and readers.
The Problem
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Here's the problem: Research from the VIDA, a non-profit feminist organization committed to amplifying historically-marginalized voices in the literary landscape found that leading literary publications like the New York Times Book Review and Harper’s still do not feature as many women and non-binary reviewers as male reviewers. For women, fewer than 40% of reviews were written by women. Non-binary writers only amount to 1% or less of each publication’s overall output.
Here's some more for you: all book pricing for publications in the U.S. are set by these 5 major publishers - Penguin Books, Harper Collins, Macmillan Books, Simon and Schuster, and Hachette Books - making it impossible for bookstores to do anything about the pay gap.
Bottom line: there are amazing books written by these authors who identify as female/queer/non-binary. These stories are not getting shelf space nor the recognition they rightfully deserve, so many of their stories go untold.
Solution: Accessibility to the Underrepresented
All She Wrote Books solves this problem by providing access to these authors and the stories they tell, allowing the consumer to choose. Our customers are avid readers, bibliophiles who seek out new perspectives, genres, and authors. They are also people who seek a safe space for them to be themselves and know that they will always be loved and respected, no matter who they are. They are free to share their stories.
Why We Are Crowdfunding
All She Wrote Books is raising money on iFundWomen to help continue a brick-and-mortar storefront, where we can showcase these authors and books and have space to create a community of writers and readers.
The physical space is located in Somerville, but our catalog is available online for anyone to take advantage. For those who make it into our store, you will not only have access to 1000s of titles and authors you can’t find anywhere else, but you are able to join numerous bookstore events, including author readings, book clubs, etc.
For the underrepresented authors and readers out there, All She Wrote Books provides space for those to tell their story and connect with others who can relate to their unique experience.
Photo Credit: Main Paige Media
About Christina
Christina Pascucci Ciampa is the founder/owner of All She Wrote Books. As a survivor of domestic abuse, she went digging for stories that she could relate to, and found that they were out there—but they tended to get less shelf space and be shortchanged by publishers and book reviewers. Being an avid reader, she often felt unrepresented by bookshelves and online recommendations showcasing what was already popular.
Christina started All She Wrote Books by partnering with local businesses in Somerville such as the Canopy Room at Bow Market and Winter Hill Brewing Company, asking them if she could bring her 3-shelf, beige Ikea cart of new and used books written by these authors and set herself up in a small section of their stores.
When Christina is not running a pop-up, she is spending time with her partner, Chris, as well as family and friends. She also belongs to an amazing book club, hosted by The Cauldron. You can find her at her community garden plot harvesting some really good tomatoes and eggplants this year.
A Big Thank You!
We are so grateful for the love and support All She Wrote Books has gotten since it started, and we are excited to start this new journey and create a space where we continue to raise more new voices and stories from female/queer/non-binary authors.
We have some really cool, fun rewards for you to take part in on our campaign page below, including totes with our logo on it and signed copies of books!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me christina@allshewrotebooks.com
Thank you so much for your support in helping All She Wrote Books!
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