The intersection of motherhood and creative life is explored in these writings on mothering that turn the spotlight from the child to the mother herself. Here, in memoirs, testimonials, diaries, essays, and fiction, mothers describe first-hand the changes brought to their lives by pregnancy, childbirth, and mothering.

Contributors include Margaret Atwood, Lydia Davis, Annie Ernaux, Mary Gaitskill, Susan Griffin, Nancy Huston, Jane Lazarre, Ursula K. LeGuin, Margaret Mead, Toni Morrison, Tillie Olsen, Alicia Ostriker, Grace Paley, Sylvia Plath, Adrienne Rich, Sara Ruddick, Mona Simpson, Susan Rubin Suleiman, Alice Walker, Joy William and many more.