Cherry Potter, in an article in the Guardian (21/11/02) asked whether the commissioning of television period novel adaptations, by one male writer, Andrew Davies, is like putting them through a 'sausage machine', all coming out tasting the same? And "Does it matter if virtually the entire cannon of 19th century women's literature is adapted by one person who also happens to be a man?" She notes the way any writer can, in the process of adapting a work, put his or her own subtle emphases and portrayals of characters that can alter the perceptions of them, and therefore the overall thrust of the story. She questioned whether she was being 'a boorish feminist' for bringing it up? - She asks if Eliot would agree that the 'gender thing' is irrelevant in the enlightened 21st century?

Eliot and the Brontes as well as other women writers have felt the need to use male or gender neutral pseudonyms in order to get published or avoid sexist or misogynist attack. "As has always been the case with authors who attempt to survive in oppressive regimes, irrespective of their gender, they adopt disguises to escape the censors. They strive to be both acceptable and radical at the same time." How many women still do this when they are writing on serious topics, politics and religion.

Describing the problems encountered by women writers, who want to "speak with confidence about the human condition, and especially the psychological and social condition of women living in a deeply patriarchal age." She points out that if they kicked up a fuss they risked the worst of all punishments, "not being published, being isolated, being ignored".

She was of course writing of now recognised writers of the 19th century, but the same comments apply to smaller fry, new writers of non-fiction and polemical writing today. In today's secular press well known women commentators are proving among the best writers promoting a radical issues, but on radio and television news and current affairs programmes, and lower down the ladder, on letters pages, and small circulation magazines including some secularist journals women writers still appear to be being excluded by cultural reactionaries

As more women rise in the world of academe, science, business and politics, and become more highly qualified, there will be many more female experts who will be merit a voice. Doctors, professors or heads of organisation male or female will get published and that is good. But relative to the general population of non specialists, women's views and opinions are still not being fairly represented.

www.shaw.freeuk.com

Come on -Who are You?

Newspapers and Magazines and Journals take a two faced view on the use of pseudonyms.

The Internet allows complete anonymity much to the annoyance of some.

Fiction writers lead the field.

Sex, Gender, Race, Politics and Religion and personal security.

Women are at a particular disadvantage.

(Based on research into anonymity and gender)

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