Birkenhead writer Cath Holland to publish short story for World Menopause Day 2023

Cath Holland has a new short story ‘From Menarche to Menopause’ in new book Menopause The Anthology, to be published by the award-winning Arachne Press on 18 October.

Menopause The Anthology by Cath Holland is a satirical piece focussing on how women and girls are exploited commercially throughout their reproductive lives, and increasingly after menstrual periods stop.

“Menstrual products are expensive, and females have no option but to buy pads and tampons each month for up to 30 years. It has become more and more obvious to me that things are now on sale for peri, menopausal and post-menopausal women, which are for the most part unnecessary and don’t make this transition into a new life any easier. Instead, it just costs money which could be better spent on treating ourselves to something nice and special,” says Cath. “I see it as a class issue, where working class women and those on lower incomes are not invited to the party, so to speak.”

Cath will perform a version of ‘From Menarche to Menopause’ at Fem De La Femme Menopause Special downstairs at The Everyman in Liverpool, also on 18 Oct.

Fem de la Femme host a monthly comedy and spoken word night for female comics, poets, and writers. The Menopause Special is brought in conjunction with Writing on The Wall.

Cath has been published by Mslexia Magazine, Dead Ink Books, Blink-Ink, and Fictive Dream amongst many other beautiful places, both in print and online. Her short story Rush Hour was nominated for a BIFFY – Best British and Irish Flash Fiction of the Year.

Cath has appeared on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour talking about her writing, and recently performed spoken word pieces concerned with misogyny, grief, and the loneliness of the modern age on BBC Radio Merseyside.

Menopause: The Anthology (Arachne Press) is edited by Cherry Potts and Catherine Pestano.

The collection comprises of short stories and poetry from women experiencing menopause whether naturally or as the result of surgery. The subject of menopause is beginning to break the barrier of taboo and discussion has centred around the medical, and middle class. In the Menopause Anthology you will find writing both humorous and angry, a whole range of emotions and experiences.

Menopause The Anthology is published in physical format and e-book.