Women Poets, Male Publishers

This scholarly work challenges the conventional narrative of feminist publishing by examining how male publishers actually played crucial roles in promoting women poets long before the 1970s women's movement. Jaillant presents compelling archival evidence that contradicts the standard account of feminist presses as the sole saviors of women's literature, revealing a more complex history of literary gatekeeping and advocacy. The book meticulously documents how established male editors and publishing houses helped shape the careers of numerous women poets throughout the early twentieth century, creating space for female voices in a male-dominated industry.

What makes this research particularly valuable is its nuanced approach to literary history, showing that the relationship between gender and publishing was never simply adversarial. Jaillant demonstrates how both male publishers and feminist presses contributed to the survival and recognition of women's writing through different historical periods. This revisionist account will especially resonate with readers interested in literary history, feminist studies, and publishing industry dynamics, offering a more complete picture of how women poets navigated the literary marketplace. The book ultimately reframes our understanding of literary recovery and canon formation in ways that feel both surprising and necessary.