The Erased Women of Beat Scene

The canonical Beat narrative systematically erased the women who were central to the movement. Joyce Johnson, Kerouac's lover, was herself a accomplished novelist whose 'Minor Characters' revealed the male-centric mythology. Hettie Jones, married to LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka), was a poet and editor who co-founded Yugen magazine. Diane di Prima published avant-garde poetry and ran literary salons. Joanne Kyger developed innovative poetic forms on the West Coast. These women were writers, not muses.

• Joyce Johnson: novelist who exposed Beat mythology

• Hettie Jones: poet and co-founder of Yugen magazine

• Diane di Prima: avant-garde poet and salon host

• Joanne Kyger: innovative West Coast poet