I've just finished working with my mentee as part of the Curtis Brown Creative mentoring program for disabled writers.

I loved mentoring my writer, seeing the progress she made with her novel and the development of her story was incredible. If you’re a disabled writer who wants to become published, this is a great step towards making that happen.

You can apply for the Breakthrough Mentoring Programme for Disabled Writers! Four writers will receive nine months of mentoring from a published author. 

​It’s free to enter.

Learn more: https://curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/breakthrough-mentoring-programme-for-disabled-writers…

I’m pleased to be chairing a virtual panel at this year’s #CheltLitFest  with Penny Parkes, Penny Batchelor and Jamie Hale.

Look out for Untold Stories : Disability and Inclusion - why we need more disabled storytellers.  

Historically, disabled people have been silenced, their stories ignored or told by non-disabled writers. Disabled creators are now fighting to be seen and heard, working to gain visibility on book shelves and literary stages. Award-winning author Penny Parkes, poet and founder of CRIPtic Arts Jamie Hale and Penelope Batchelor, author and founder of Keep Festivals Hybrid discuss why the literary world needs to be more accessible and inclusive.

View the full programme: 
https://cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on…

I can’t believe it’s been five years since I won the Good Housekeeping debut novel competition with The Choice. It was such a whirlwind and an exciting adventure.

If you haven't picked up your copy yet, you can get it here…
https://t.co/rL1UH6UwBLt.co/rL1UH6UwBL

The second Disability Issue of The Bookseller is out now & available to read for free.

​http://thebookseller.com/editions/the-bookseller-14102022…

The gorgeous cover is by Tori Board & represents illuminating accessible content.

You can also access the articles directly using these links…
​

• A chance to change by Claire Wade, Catherine Miller & Nydia Hetherington What has changed in the publishing industry since the last Disability Issue of The Bookseller? You would be the best person to judge that: have you noticed a change in the way things are donehttps://www.thebookseller.com/comment/a-chance-to-change

 

• With the launch of Access to Literature, Jamie Hale from CRIPticArts and Ruth Harrison from Spread the Word call on the publishing industry to work collaboratively to dismantle the barriers that deaf and disabled people currently face. Read more about their investigation and the results here: buff.ly/3MAfebR

 

• "A crucial further step towards fair representation would see disabled journalists appointed as editors of book sections" Scott Jordan Harris writes about why there needs to be more opportunities for disabled people to professionally write and review books: buff.ly/3MvK2dL

 

• "If somebody is deaf or disabled and has concerns that it will hold you back, don’t try to hide your access need" Caitlin Quinn's important interview with bestselling author Nell Pattison about how publishing needs to change to be accessible to all. Nell Pattison discusses her experiences as a disabled writer and how the industry can be more inclusive.   https://www.thebookseller.com/author-interviews/nell-pattison-in-conversation-about-how-publishing-needs-to-change-to-be-accessible-to-all

 

• Different but equal: tackling biases and discrimination by Pragya Agarwal. We need to move to a framework of publishing where disability is acknowledged as different but accepted as equal. https://www.thebookseller.com/comment/different-but-equal-tackling-biases-and-discrimination

 

• The stories we tell by Hannah Knowles. The narrative around mental health provision and staff wellbeing in the book trade tallies little with those experiencing it—and we need a fresh start. https://www.thebookseller.com/comment/the-stories-we-tell

 

• Accessible Books Kate Nash OBE, founder of @mypurplespace, reveals how book publishers can anticipate the needs of disabled readers and release titles that are accessible to all: buff.ly/3MB8sCW

 

• "The normality of everyday life with a disability is not uninteresting and the industry must see the value of these narratives." Dr Pragya Agarwal's important article on unconscious bias in the publishing industry: buff.ly/3ey8Y7S

 

• Why querying is hell for neurodivergents by Chloe Johnson Literary agencies have taken steps to make their submissions policies more inclusive—and some simple adjustments can throw the doors wide open.

I’m delighted to be shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Inclusion Award 2022. Navigating the publishing industry as a disabled person has been difficult and I have felt very isolated. That’s why I worked with the Society of Authors to form Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses (ADCI).  

In ADCI I’ve found an incredible, supportive community and we’re also changing the publishing industry, achieving more inclusivity and accessibility for disabled authors and raising disabled voices. As readers discover work by more diverse authors, it’s essential that disabled stories are told; by understanding those with different experiences we gain a better insight into the world we live in and can make it a kinder and more inclusive place.

It’s a huge surprise to be shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Inclusion Award; I do this work because I believe it’s important and I’m honoured that others recognise the value of it as well.

I was excited to record my first ever podcast interview with Caroline Sanderson from ALCS - The Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society.

We talked about how I became established as a writer and the challenges I've faced in an industry that is centred around well and non-disabled people.

I explained how to be a good ally to writers experiencing disability or chronic illness and the role that community plays in raising the voices of a vastly overlooked group. 

You can listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your regular podcasts from. Just search for Authors' Matters by ALCS, Season 2, episode 7.

I co-organised the Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses (ADCI) Week with the Society of Authors during Disability Pride month. As part of the Instagram takeover I did a reading from my award-winning novel The Choice.