It's publication day

Woke up today a published author, although I wish it wasn't at 4.30am

It’s today!

My book, Bodies Under Siege: how the far-right attack on reproductive rights went global, is published today.

You can buy it from all good bookshops, including as an eBook.

The book charts the pipeline through which extremist ideas about abortion and women’s bodies, Great Replacement and Satanic conspiracy, travel to become mainstream government policy and rhetoric.

I go undercover in anti-abortion training sessions, I deep dive into far-right Telegram and incel forums, I track the influencers who translate anti-abortion hate into white papers and campaigning strategy, and explore how across Europe, far-right leaders are pushing anti-abortion, anti-migrant policies.

Marina Hyde has called it “essential reading” while Jack Shenkar said I am “fighting for a better world”. Lynne Segal claims it’s a “splendid call to arms” and Paul Mason praised my “groundbreaking and definitive study of far-right misogyny.”

I wrote this book before Roe was overruled, although that happened during the editing process. I was not surprised when it happened - this book’s purpose was to track the networks and influence that meant to me the Dobbs decision was inevitable. What happened in the US shows the urgency of this book, and the need to constantly recognise that we must fight for our abortion rights. We cannot take it for granted that women’s human rights will be respected and protected.

So many amazing people helped me in the writing of this book, not least my wonderful agent Kate Johnson, whose friendship and support has been endless. Also big credit to my editors Jessie Kindig and Rosie Warren, and Catherine Smiles in marketing.

But the people who deserve the most credit are all the wonderful interviewees who gave up their time to speak to me about their research and campaigning work, from Brussels to Dublin, Warsaw to Bratislava.

And of course, my biggest tribute goes to all the women fighting for reproductive justice around the world.

Thank you for fighting for a better future for women and girls.

Obligatory book plug

I mean, this whole newsletter IS a book plug!

So let me plug my events…

There are STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE LONDON LAUNCH!

It’s at the Frontline Club at 7pm TONIGHT 6 June, where myself, Sophie Wilkinson, Maya Oppenheim and Megha Rajagopalan will be discussing women’s rights and journalism.

Book now

The Bristol launch at St George’s has sold out I’m afraid.

BUT you will have a second chance to see my superb book launch dress if you book tickets to see me, Paul Mason and Nick Lowles discuss how journalism can defeat fascism with Professor Madhu Krishnan.

Waterstone’s in the Galleries, at 7pm on 12 June.

Book now

What I’m writing

I wrote about trad wives for the Guardian and got a lot of hate mail as a result

What I’m loving

Love is the wrong word, but this story by Maya Oppenheim into how women are having abortions due to the cost of living crisis underlines the importance of reproductive justice - women should be supported to have the families they want to have.

What I’m reading

I’ve swapped Golden Age detective fiction for modern day thrillers. This week I read Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough and scared myself out of being able to sleep; A darker domain by Val McDermid; and just started The darker the night by Martin Prentice.

What I’m watching

Parks and Rec and Babylon Berlin, mainly.

But I did watch Once Upon A Time in Northern Ireland, and you should too. Absolutely vital and urgent television.

Right, that’s it! Buy my book! It’s today!