From the fourteenth century through to the present day, women who write have been understood as mad, undisciplined or dangerous.

Female writers have always had to find ways to overcome or challenge these beliefs. Some were cautious and discreet, some didn’t give a damn, but all lived complex, eventful and often controversial lives.

Eve Bites Back places the female contemporaries of Chaucer, Shakespeare and Milton centre stage in the history of literature in English, uncovering stories of dangerous liaisons and daring adventures. From the first autobiography by a woman to the first professional female playwright, these are the women who dared to write.