Marilyn French (1929–2009) received her doctorate from Harvard University in 1972. She was a literary critic, and her articles and stories appeared in a wide range of journals and anthologies. She taught at Hofstra, Harvard, and the College of the Holy Cross, and received a Harvard Centennial Medal.
Dorothy Allison (foreword) is the acclaimed author of the nationally bestselling novel Bastard Out of Carolina, which was a finalist for the 1992 National Book Award. The recipient of numerous awards, she lives in Northern California.
Linsey Abrams (foreword) has published three novels: Charting the Stars, Double Vision, and Our History in New York.
