Laura Godfrey-Isaacs
Author
Agent
Assistant
Biography
She is a recent winner of the JKP Writing Prize, 2022 ‘Stories of Resistance’ with her essay ‘Fish and Apple Strudel’ exploring the significance of food, both in keeping culture alive and as an act of survival, within Jewish families. She has contributed to various academic publications focusing on motherhood, pregnancy and birth.
She is also widely known as a birth activist, taking part in campaigns, protests, writing and presenting on issues such as maternal mental health, gender-inclusion in perinatal services, breastfeeding and Arts & health. Several of her recent projects have been nominated for awards, such as #KingsBrelfie, a social media campaign to normalise breastfeeding in public, which was nominated for a MaMa Award and presented at the UNICEF Baby Friendly Conference.
She was co-chair of the Women’s Equality Party’s committee drafting their policy on Equal Health, is an editorial board member of The Practising Midwife Magazine, and an Ambassador for Procreate Projects and Dance Mama organisations who advocate for mothers and non-binary parents in the arts.
Laura’s first book, Maternal Journal, was published in by Pinter & Martin in 2021 with her co-author Samantha McGowan.
She is currently working on a new memoir, which explores a lifetime of scars on her body, associated with her experiences as a cis woman, mother, daughter and midwife
Maternal Journal (Pinter & Martin, 2021)
Maternal Journal is filled to the brim with ideas, support and inspiration to create your very own journal through your pregnancy, birth and parenthood. This easy-to-use and beautifully illustrated book will help you explore your creative voice and develop a regular journaling practice using artistic tools and techniques that fit in with everyday parenting.
Inside, you will find more than 80 unique guided journal exercises created by leading artists, midwives, doulas and therapists to boost your creativity and wellbeing and help you reflect during this transformational stage of your life.
Write a list poem with poet Hollie McNish, build a self-care alphabet with writer Laura Dockrill, or make your journaling manifesto with writer and performer Bryony Kimmings. Be a revolutionary mother with artist Barby Asante and explore daily drawings with live artist Bobby Baker.
Based on the award-winning global community movement, led by artist and midwife Laura Godfrey-Isaacs and communications and content producer Samantha McGowan, Maternal Journal promotes the simple but radical concept of expressing thoughts, feelings and experiences creatively in a journal to promote positive mental health and wellbeing throughout your parenting journey.
Praise:
‘A brilliant creative guide to navigating and chronicling the momentous experience of pregnancy, birth and parenthood. An inspiration, a refuge and a solace. An essential addition to every family and extended family! ‘ – Louisa Buck, art critic.
“Maternal Journal is a great source of inspiration for any new parent trying to reconnect to their creativity or to themselves. So many thought-provoking exercises that fit easily into a busy life.” Leah Hazard, author of Hard Pushed: a Midwife’s Story
“If you’re pregnant or a new parent I would definitely recommend this beautiful book. In fact I’d just recommend it full stop for anyone interested in art, poetry, and journaling etc.” Amy Brown, author of The Positive Breastfeeding Book
