On Amazon Women and Sinister Wisdom

“It was a place where women knew they could come and be very welcome, and if they were lesbian, they could maybe find other lesbians or work written by lesbians,” Weiser says. “So many times I've had people come up to me and say, ‘It just saved my life [when I was] coming to town.’”

By: Ella Stern

Outlets: Minnesota Women's Press

Published: June 12, 2026

Words: 910

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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When Amazon Bookstore started on a front porch in Minneapolis in 1970, there was “almost nothing written” in the landscape of feminist literature. Even organizing readings of women’s poetry was radical, according to former bookstore employee Barb Weiser. The store’s vision was to make available what lesbians and feminist presses were creating. This included books, of course, as well as women’s music, jewelry, and cards.

Amazon Bookstore was not alone in this …

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