Choice Words

Choice Words: A collection of writing about abortion is a cri de coeur; a passionate appeal from writers, thinkers, musicians, actors, comedians, activists and political staffers, offering personal stories of abortion alongside historical records and political anecdotes.

At a time when abortion is a criminal act and prosecution is a real risk in parts of Australia, this book is needed more than ever. In 2018, the world watched aghast when a Tasmanian woman lost her job at a high-profile sporting agency for tweeting the truth: even in states where abortion is legal, access can be nearly impossible.

This treasury of stories highlights the sheer, unspoken commonality of abortion. Women have been dealing with the risks and the fall-out for longer than there is record. It is poignant, wise, funny and true; a salute to those who have been working in the field, a celebration of how far we've come, an electrifying caterwaul at how far we still have to go, and a clarion call to action.

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Contributors include Jane Caro, Claudia Karvan, Laura Jean, Melissa Lucashenko, Emily Maguire, Tara June Winch, Michelle Law, Tony Birch, Melanie Cheng, Anne Summers, Gideon Haigh, Monica Dux, Bri Lee, Jenny Kee, and a Foreword by Tanya Plibersek. Proceeds from Choice Words will go to the charity Marie Stopes Australia, the only national, independently-accredited, not-for-profit safe abortion provider, that has helped more than 600,000 women in the past twenty years.

Foreword by The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP

Angela Williamson

Jane Caro

Monica Dux

Rosie Waterland

Van Badham

Eleanor Limprecht

Shirley Barrett

Claudia Karvan

Jenny Kee & Grace Heifetz

Jane Gleeson-White

Sarah Firth

Clem Bastow

Melissa Lucashenko

Bri Lee

Michelle Law

Brooke Davis

Gideon Haigh

Jess Scully

Melanie Cheng

Meredith Burgmann

Gabrielle Blair (DesignMom)

Catherine Deveny

Caroline deCosta

Amy Gray

Tara June Winch

Laura Jean

Emily Maguire

Ellena Savage

Anne Summers

Samantha Maiden

Gina Rushton (Buzzfeed)

Zoya Patel

Maxine Beneba Clarke