This new title brings together overviews and in-depth analysis of hundreds of American women writers, from Colonial America to present day. The work concentrates on women writers of literature, including novels, short stories, poetry, and drama. Each of the 400 essays includes a personal biography and a summary of works, with valuable top matter details and further reading sections. The volume includes reviews and excerpts of the writer's most acclaimed works to give the researcher a unique, comprehensive perspective. In addition, the book includes valuable back matter finding guides, such as lists by genre, theme and topic, geographical region, and year, and ends with a detailed subject index.