Some well-meaning types in Western Sydney thought it would be good for disenfranchised women in the area to be given a voice. This took the form of writing workshops where the participants were able to vent, explore and document. An initial radio play eventually gave way to a collection of prose and poetry, which was to be published as a testament to what could be achieved if opprtunities became available.

Unfortunately, some of the women, given said voice, took it and ran, sounded their yawp, whatever. More than a year later, the pages sat on my computer awaiting their moment on the printing press. And then in a whoosh it was done.

Here are some spreads from HOLDING THE REINS. The cover illustration is by the talented Miss Edwina White, and the bits of packaging strewn across the pages come from my private collection. I knew they'd come in handy one day.