62. Feminist Activism through Popular Fiction

Meg Elison, Claire Light, Kate Raphael, Sarai Walker, Aya de Leon

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In today’s popular culture, “strong female lead” characters and “difficult women” are more common than ever before. But does that make a story feminist? How are these women writers using popular fiction genres (mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, street lit, women’s fiction) to go beyond the “strong female lead” and even “strong but unlikable” protagonists to share visions of feminist activism and social change? What role do race, class, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and ability play in the intersectional feminist landscapes of their stories? And what have been some of the advantages and compromises of writing popular fiction as opposed to literary fiction?

Book signing information: Cornerstone