Controversial feminist Clementine Ford has encouraged a fan to 'kill men' in a handwritten note inside a copy of her latest book.

The Melbourne-based author and Fairfax columnist has regularly spoken about being the target of graphic abuse, trolling and death threats from men on social media.

But a picture shows that when signing one copy of her latest book, 'Fight Like a Girl', Ms Ford wrote to a fan: 'Have you killed any men today? And if not, why not?'

Controversial feminist Clementine Ford (pictured) has called on followers to 'kill men', signing a message encouraging violence to one fan inside a copy of her latest book

When signing a copy of her latest book Fight Like a Girl, Ms Ford hand wrote to one follower: 'Have you killed any men today? And if not, why not?' (Pictured)

Ms Ford, 35, released her non-fiction 'manifesto' centred around her feminist views and experiences in September 2016.

In it, the mother-of-one urges 'all women and young girls - to take the emptiness and numbness they feel about being a girl in this world and turn it into rage and power'.

Previously, Ms Ford has complained about trolling and 'hate' she receives on social media and through online forums.

In one case in 2015, a man called her a 'sl**' and was sacked by his Sydney-based employer.

Ms Ford has an army of close to 300,000 fans across social media.

It comes after publisher Allen and Unwin announced on Monday it had acquired the rights to her second book.

Ms Ford, who gave birth to a son in late-2016, has an army of close to 300,000 fans on social media

Within just hours of the announcement about her second book, a petition calling for the 'man hating' piece not to be published was set up on Change.org (pictured) - it has 300 signatures

'Boys Will Be Boys', a book Ms Ford claims will be a 'love letter to her son', is due to be released in 2018.

But within just hours of the announcement, a petition calling for the 'man hating' piece not to be published was set up on Change.org.

The petition has received 300 signatures in less than 24 hours. Ms Ford hit out at its organisers on Twitter saying: 'Oh no, they will probably take my contract away now.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Clementine Ford for comment.