The Women Who Saved Shakespeare

Mai Black

May 2026 · Book Guild Publishing

About this ebook

Georgian London. ‘Reading fever’ sweeps the nation, much endangering the delicacy of young women’s minds. Such is the general consensus of eighteenth-century men. Elizabeth Boyd knows better, and from the moment she discovers her grandmother’s annotated Shakespeare, she senses a genius the men around her are unable to see.

As her twin brother rises through privilege, Elizabeth teaches herself to write, daring to dream of a life in letters. A chance encounter draws her into a circle of women who share her passion. Together they form the Shakespeare Ladies Club, determined to restore the Bard’s reputation and claim their place in the city’s literary scene.

All too soon, however, their campaign rouses the scorn of the Hellfire Club, led by Elizabeth’s brother, whose riotous plans threaten everything the women have built.

Inspired by true events, this is a triumphant tale of wit, courage and sisterhood that celebrates the women who saved the literary reputation of Britain’s best-loved poet.

About the author

Mai Black’s debut novel, The Women Who Saved Shakespeare, is based on the remarkable history of the Shakespeare Ladies Club (1736–1741), one of London’s first female-run literary societies. Mai relaunched the club for the twenty-first century, with plans to host a series of events in beautiful and historic locations across her home county of Suffolk and beyond. She also invites women to share their personal experiences of Shakespeare via @shakespeareladies on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.