Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Allan G. Johnson" <>]

Those familiar with my books, The Gender Knot and Privilege, Power, and
Difference, may want to know that my novel about domestic violence - The
First Thing and the Last - has just been released by the independent
feminist literary publisher, Plain View Press (www.plainviewpress.net).

"Allan Johnson's illumination of the mind of a woman recovering from
horrific abuse and loss is miraculous, carried by a story that is both
gripping and inspiring.  It is a stunning achievement."   Jean Kilbourne,
creator of the award-winning film series, Killing Us Softly

"This beautiful, brave, and liberating book is a triumph of the spirit.
Engrossing and exquisitely written, it shines with rare courage and a
tender, life-saving wisdom that comes only through facing the darkness we
suffer or inflict on others.  It is a marvelous story whose characters I am
glad to have in my life."   Joanna Macy, author of World as Lover, World as
Self

"Allan Johnson's writing is moving, insightful, and deeply human.  He takes
us inside painful lives with courageous truth-telling, yet at the same time
takes us inside of characters who can heal and thrive.  This is a novel that
rings true, and that we need urgently to take into our hearts."   Lundy
Bancroft, author of Why Does He Do That?

"The First Thing and the Last portrays an extraordinary woman who is
brutalized - but the abuse becomes her sorrow and not her identity in Allan
Johnson's complex, masterful, and exacting understanding of such a woman's
life.  His ability and willingness to see so deeply, to portray a woman and
her story so profoundly, takes our breath away.  Welcome this extraordinary
and most original novelist to the ranks of American literature."   Deena
Metzger, poet, novelist, and author of Writing for Your Life

Over a period of seven years, The First Thing and the Last was rejected more
than sixty times by commercial publishers, many of whom were unwilling to
publish a novel about domestic violence, no matter how compelling the story
or how well it was told. Three senior editors who wanted to publish the
novel were turned down because of concerns about how to make a commercial
success of a novel that realistically portrays domestic violence. One editor
was overruled by her publisher who declared that he didn't know why a woman
would stay with a man who beat her up. Another editor, after being turned
down by the editorial board, wrote, "I genuinely hope you find someone brave
enough to take this on."

The January 25 issue of Publishers Weekly includes the novel in its
semi-annual feature highlighting notable debut works of fiction.

Although the publication date is officially February 1, the novel is now
available online at Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com in both hardcover and
paperback editions.  It can also be ordered through Barnes and Noble stores
and will soon appear in listings at Ingram, Baker and Taylor, and other
major distributors.

For more about my work and a synopsis of the novel, please visit my website
listed below.

Given what it has taken to bring this story into print, I hope you will do
what you can to spread the word far and wide.

With thanks,
Allan G. Johnson

www.agjohnson.us