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My last annoying thread before I lose myself in the monstrous self-promotion we have to push when we have a lockdown book:
I was asked a really great question at a virtual event yesterday. They asked if it was hard to constantly be asked about being ND, instead of about my work.
I was asked a really great question at a virtual event yesterday. They asked if it was hard to constantly be asked about being ND, instead of about my work.
I've always spoken about my diagnosis because I want the kids I write for to benefit from the visibility. It's great that I get letters from ND kids who love Addie and feel FAB about who they are. One kid ran from the back of their class during a visit to ask me about being ND.
That's why I do it.
I'm also happy to talk about the academic research I have when it comes to representation in Middle Grade. More than happy to discuss that in the context of publishing.
I'm also infamous for calling out dangerous tropes that appear in disability fiction.
I'm also happy to talk about the academic research I have when it comes to representation in Middle Grade. More than happy to discuss that in the context of publishing.
I'm also infamous for calling out dangerous tropes that appear in disability fiction.
I'm very strict about recycled tropes and dangerously simplistic narratives. About publishers who ignore Own Voices
But do I like being constantly asked about my medical history? No. Do I like people asking personal questions about a time of my life that was confused & traumatic
But do I like being constantly asked about my medical history? No. Do I like people asking personal questions about a time of my life that was confused & traumatic
"When did you start speaking?"
"Do you think about being neurotypical?"
"Would you rather be someone else?"
"Do you want a cure?"
I don't enjoy it. I do it to get the book out there. To get it to those kids, and even adults, who need a break from the tropes and the inspo porn.
"Do you think about being neurotypical?"
"Would you rather be someone else?"
"Do you want a cure?"
I don't enjoy it. I do it to get the book out there. To get it to those kids, and even adults, who need a break from the tropes and the inspo porn.
Today I saw someone say that autistic writers who are not "out", don't help the community. That they don't count & that they keep quiet for their own gain
Nonsense
I know plenty of ND writers who don't write about neurodiversity. More power to them. I'm just thrilled they write
Nonsense
I know plenty of ND writers who don't write about neurodiversity. More power to them. I'm just thrilled they write
They deserve their privacy. I also know openly ND writers who are happy to discuss their diagnosis but don't write about it
Guess what?THEY COUNT, TOO!
Don't come after ND writers. Criticise, like I do, the industry that almost always chooses a tired trope over a fresh ND voice
Guess what?THEY COUNT, TOO!
Don't come after ND writers. Criticise, like I do, the industry that almost always chooses a tired trope over a fresh ND voice
Seeing distressed ND writers trying to justify themselves made me so furious and sad.
You don't owe anyone your medical history or the private details of your life. Not to write
Fuck gatekeepers
I talk about mine for the kids. I am out here, often by myself, as an ND MG writer
You don't owe anyone your medical history or the private details of your life. Not to write
Fuck gatekeepers
I talk about mine for the kids. I am out here, often by myself, as an ND MG writer
You do not have to be. Not unless you want it.
I fight like hell for Own Voices because I know how hard it is to be one. So, I support others as much as I can. I call out ableist tropes.
And I'm telling you...your private information should not be policed by someone else.
I fight like hell for Own Voices because I know how hard it is to be one. So, I support others as much as I can. I call out ableist tropes.
And I'm telling you...your private information should not be policed by someone else.
You are not letting anyone down by being private or choosing not to write about your neurology. That is CRAP!
I know the shitty attitudes that exist in the industry. Because the industry is made up of real people. And shitty attitudes exist as a whole, against us.
I know the shitty attitudes that exist in the industry. Because the industry is made up of real people. And shitty attitudes exist as a whole, against us.
I'm happy to take a few bullets so it's easier for the people coming up.
So. For the last time, no matter what gatekeeping grifters say, you do not need to offer up your trauma or your history to be valid. You are valid.
They should stop forcing people to out who they are.
So. For the last time, no matter what gatekeeping grifters say, you do not need to offer up your trauma or your history to be valid. You are valid.
They should stop forcing people to out who they are.
If someone ever says you're the wrong kind of ND, or that you have to be more open to be "worthy", send them my way. Seriously
Because it's nonsense. I'll scream until I'm hoarse for marginalised authors who are out about who they are
I also completely support those who are not
Because it's nonsense. I'll scream until I'm hoarse for marginalised authors who are out about who they are
I also completely support those who are not
Also, saying there are no openly ND writers about?
Hi, I'm Elle. I'm openly ND. I've written a book called A Kind of Spark. It has two openly ND characters.
My debut was nominated for the Carnegie, Branford Boase and Blue Peter Book Award.
And I won fucking book of the year.
Hi, I'm Elle. I'm openly ND. I've written a book called A Kind of Spark. It has two openly ND characters.
My debut was nominated for the Carnegie, Branford Boase and Blue Peter Book Award.
And I won fucking book of the year.
