Women Writers

The Many Meanings of Eliza Wharton: Judgement and Reputation

How Eliza Wharton’s story in The Coquette has been judged and reinterpreted for over two centuries. A reflection on reputation, morality and the ongoing scrutiny of women’s lives. Read More…

Letters, Privacy and the Public Eye in The Coquette

How private letters shaped public reputation in The Coquette. A reflection on communication, judgement and the fragility of privacy then and now. Read More…

From Scandal to Story: How Elizabeth Whitman Became Eliza Wharton

The real-life tragedy behind The Coquette. How Elizabeth Whitman’s story became one of early America’s most enduring novels. Read More…

Reading The Coquette in 2026: reputation, restraint, and the limits of female freedom

Why does The Coquette still matter in 2026? A reflection on reputation, restraint and the limits of female freedom, then and now, as pre-orders open for a new P-Wave Classics edition. Read More…

“She is still being talked about”: Why The Coquette still matters

A fresh edition of Hannah Webster Foster’s landmark novel The Coquette, exploring freedom, judgement and reputation in early America. Featuring rare historical responses and new editorial insight. Read More…

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dame Jilly Cooper

We remember Dame Jilly Cooper, a fearless and much-loved author whose wit, warmth and boldness lit up British literature. Her life reminds us how trailblazing it was—and still is—for women to write on their own terms. Read More…

Fashion, Drama and the Stories We Wear

The Oscars remind us that fashion is as dramatic as any film or novel. From couture to personal expression, books about fashion tell fascinating stories—what are your favourites? Read More…