In over five decades of consistent work, Laura Chester has edited six important anthologies of American writing. A sampling follows. Her works of prose-poems, poetry, fiction and non-fiction can be found here.
Featured Books
The Unmade Bed
Sensual Writing on Married Love
HarperCollins, 1991
Book of the Month Club selection
Partaking in the perennial rediscovery inherent in the marriage bed, these contemporary American writers celebrate the sensual aspects of marriage in all of its cycles, from early courtship and the thrills of “The Newlywed Bed,” to the autumnal joys of “The Forever Bed.” Like a box of fine chocolates, this book of sensual writing is meant to be shared, and compared to a box of candy, or a dozen roses, it will last a lot longer.
“Chester’s choices reflect her appreciation of the sensual and emotional depths reached through married love and her awareness of the struggle to maintain marriages in our fast-paced world... The tension and excitement of newlyweds, the eroticism of married sex, the wounds caused by infidelity and the almost uncanny bonds of long-term relationships that can survive accidents, separation and even death.”
—The Los Angeles Times
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Cradle & All
Women Writers on Pregnancy and Birth
Faber & Faber, 1989
It is no surprise that we see in this collection the ability to describe that which is almost indescribable, that most “ordinary miracle” we all share—being born.
Having a child is one of the most significant and profoundly mysterious events in human life, and no one is better qualified to describe the joys and pains of birth and motherhood than women writers.
Not giving opinions or advice, but offering personal versions of the truth, this moving anthology brings together over 90 voices, including Margaret Atwood, Laurie Colwin, Anais Nin, Tillie Olsen, and Adrienne Rich.
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Deep Down
The New Sensual Writing by Women
Faber & Faber, 1988
Book of the Month Club selection
How do women really feel, deep down? In this enticing collection seventy-one of our best contemporary women writers explore female sensuality in its myriad variations, from the most innocent to the profoundly erotic. The new woman artist, says Chester, is writing stronger, more compelling work as she draws from her feminized sexual energy. Deep Down includes prose and poetry by 71 authors, from Kathy Acker to Alice Walker.
“A veritable Who’s Who of contemporary women writers.”
— Belles Lettres
“As delicious and diverse as a box of chocolate, Deep Down’s poems and prose ooze with pleasure.”
— New Directions for Women
“More than just a collection of high-quality erotica (although it certainly is that) Deep Down shows the many ways in which writing can be sensual and the many kinds of sensual relationships a woman can have. Women have permission now to expose, explore and be bawdy.”
— The Berkshire Eagle
“Savvy, artful, erotic prose and poetry that doesn’t shy away from the sticky issues.”
— 7 Days
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Rising Tides
20th Century American Women Poets
Simon & Schuster, 1973
Edited by Laura Chester and Sharon Barba
Introduction by Anais Nin
Ahead of her time, Chester edited this first collection of 20th century, American women’s poetry, including the work of seventy poets from Gertrude Stein, Marianne Moore and Edna St. Vincent Millay to Adrienne Rich, Erica Jong and Anne Waldman.
Rising out of the consciousness that gave birth to the Women’s Liberation Movement, this book is a feminist statement in the largest sense: it expresses a belief in the full humanity of woman and her right to define herself.
From the introduction by Anaïs Nin:
“It is the poetry of today, and the poetry of woman at a crucial period of evolution. The selection is wide. It will place poetry as a daily necessity, as nourishment, indispensable… The fusion here is in the voice of woman. Woman determined to end woman’s mysteries and woman’s secrets. We need to know her better. Let us approach her and listen to her in these condensed, in these concentrated and distilled messages, to become intimate with her.”
—Anaïs Nin
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Recent works are available where all fine books are sold. Copies of several books may also be purchased from the author.