Wednesday 4th March 2026
Venue: Online
7-8.15pm
Join our four literary houses in an evening to celebrate women writers who supported each other through female networks and creative collaboration as we mark International Women’s Day.
Step into the worlds of novelists the Brontë sisters, Elizabeth Gaskell, Fredrika Bremer and their earlier predecessors for a vivid insight into the literary connections and networks that sustained women’s writing lives. Through letters we glimpse supportive mentorships, introductions between writers, friendly editorial advice, the sharing of new publications, and lively discussion of literary ideas.
How did these groundbreaking women support and encourage others through both the written word and practical action? And what of authors like Jane Austen whose literary network was found in the books she read, rather than in literary friendships?
Celebrate online with us to discover iconic women writers who shaped our world through collaboration and community.
‘I found these talks the best yet. And the bar was high!’ Feedback from previous attendee
Speakers:
Dr Kim Simpson, Deputy Director at Chawton House
Lizzie Dunford and Sophie Reynolds, Director and Head of Collections, Interpretation and Engagement at Jane Austen’s House
Sam Harrison, Programme Officer at the Brontë Parsonage Museum
Dr Diane Duffy, Chair of the Gaskell Society
A partnership event with Brontë Parsonage Museum, Jane Austen’s House and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House.
Tickets: £6
This is an online event. The cut off to purchase tickets is midnight on the day before the event. Ticket holders will be emailed the Zoom link on the day of the event. If you do not receive joining details by midday (UK time) on the day of the event, please email info@chawtonhouse.org with your order number. The event will be recorded and emailed out to ticket holders who cannot join synchronously within 5 days. Access to working internet is required. Please note this event will take place live. All times are UK GMT.