herwritten

Herwritten is a term used in literary and cultural discourse to describe writing that foregrounds female authorship and female-centered perspectives. It functions as a label rather than a formal genre, appearing in online discussions, criticism, and market copy to indicate works primarily by women or that emphasize women's experiences, voices, and themes. The term can apply across fiction, memoir, poetry, and essays, as well as in digital media where authorship and perspective are central to interpretation.

Origin and etymology are not fixed; the compound of "her" and "written" began appearing in online discussions during the 2010s as debates about representation in publishing and media intensified. It has been used variably, sometimes as a descriptive tag for authorial identity, other times as a marketing shorthand to signal a target audience or point of view.

Usage and debate surround how the label is applied. Examples of its use include blog posts and platform tags that categorize works by women as "herwritten" or "her-written." The label is often discussed in relation to intersectionality, recognizing that women's experiences are diverse and shaped by race, class, sexuality, and disability. Some writers and scholars embrace the term as a way to highlight neglected voices; others critique it for essentializing authorship by gender or for risking assumptions about content based on who writes it.

Related topics include women's writing, feminist literary criticism, inclusive publishing, and gender representation in literature.