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BOOKS


Author Interview The disabled author experience


it. They have always listened and been kind. Plus, these have been extraordinary times and in a way the lockdown and its effects have been a boon for me.


Book launches often require lots of publicity nd e e


and events, how have you found this?


I managed to attend my book launch partly because my editor provided a space to rest. Planning rest time around events is essential, but few venues can accommodate this. Virtual


presentation was necessary for me to partake in other events. My editor, [Myriad Editions’] Corinne Pearlman, presented on my behalf several times; I provided the text and images. I made a video for Cardiff Book Talk, and called in live by video conferencing for the Q&A. Recently, I wrote a podcast interview, which was recorded and voiced for me. I was still semi-ambulatory when I atended a major literary festival and was able to secure “VIP” parking close to the authors’ tent, and a guest ticket. Had I been a full wheelchair user, the stage had stepped access only. I have had to forego many in-person opportunities.


ve had


I almost never say no to publicity opportunities because let’s face it, they are few and far between. Ask for time to rehearse walking into the TV studio from backstage. Make sure the


interviewer will focus on your books and not your disabil- it. I don’t mind talking about the disabilit angle, because my experience might help someone else who feels they could never do it, but talk about my books first, please.


ne


The rise of online platforms was a blessing. In September 2020, when my book was published, there was a sense of, “We’re all in it together” [owing to the pandemic restrictions]. I didn’t


need to explain myself; everyone was staring into their webcams now. I had a wonderful online launch. It was oversubscribed, with people from all over the world turn- ing up to show their support. A live event would have been a dream come true. But the aſter-effects on my physical and emotional health can’t be ignored (I’m usually in bed by 7 p.m.–8 p.m.), and there wouldn’t have been as many bums on seats. Back then, it was early days for the webinar, and we were still navigating the online events system. The fact that most of my author events didn’t go online and were cancelled was, and still is, upseting.


Do you think that your disability informs your writing? o you t


A significant proportion of my comics and life writing involved personal testimony of illness. Our stories, whether autobiographical or fictional, are important in culture to counter


societ’s normative narratives of illness and restitution, and medical status quo, which is oſten dispassionate. There’s an activist element to some of my work, especially aſter learning more about ableism, but equally I like writ- ing about pigeons enjoying relations on rooſtops—some are disabled!


e diisa s


I don’t really think it does, in my case. It has been said oſten about writers that we are “outsiders” and that makes us good observers of human nature. I guess you can double that feeling of being an outsider if you have a disabilit.


12 24th September 2021


It has been said often about


writers that we are ‘outsiders’ and that makes us good


observers of


human nature Liz Nugent


scours


Had I been a full wheelchair


user, the stage had stepped access only. I have had to forego many in-person opportunities


Paula Knight


Living with chronic pain isn’t something I have written about specifically. This is mainly due to the fact that I still don’t know how to categorise myself (this is how it is with invisible illness,


you’re never quite sure where to put yourself), but to say that I am not uterly alive to it when writing my fiction would be untrue. Like anything that defines us, it is reflected in my writing as much as being a cis woman is, as much as my personal history, as much as anywhere I have lived or anything I have have done, or am, or have been. That might sound simple and obvious, but it’s not really. My condition has never appeared in my work as yet, but the fact that I live with it means it will be unconsciously reflected in there somewhere.


What more do you think could be done to support nd en


and encourage disabled authors?


I would like to see provision for virtual presentation and attendance remain for events. This will help towards ensuring wider inclusivit in the industry. We saw it become


possible for majorit needs—to take it away would be marginalising. I would also welcome more submission windows for underrepresented writers, and for diversit discourse to include disabilit.


Perhaps publishers could ask the writers they sign up if they have any additional needs, rather than the writers having to eventually volunteer the information? For example, I know


several writers who suffer with mental health issues and anxiet, and I think some of them are terrified of admiting it. There are plent of ways to make everyone feel more comfortable, physically and emotionally. It is in your publisher’s, agent’s, editor’s and publicist’s interests for you to perform at your absolute best.


p


Publishing, like everyone else, is chomping at the bit to get back to live events. I understand, of course, but it’s unlikely I’ll be a part of that, at least not soon. I’ve no doubt my publishing


team will continue to be kind and understanding—they’re lovely people. But the industry isn’t under their control. As always, I’ll push through, find a way, I always do. Still, I wish I didn’t have to.


What’s the best piece of advice you would like to share with other disabled writers?


ar


Your physical and emotional limitations should not stop you becoming the writer you want to be. The late filmmaker Simon Fitzmaurice, who had Motor Neurone Disease, wrote his autobi- ography with eye-tracking soſtware. Shakespeare wrote his entire works with one hand and a feather. There are no excuses any more. If you want to write, do it.


s


My advice to writers with chronic illness is to talk about your condition. It doesn’t have to be the thing that defines you. Our illnesses might be invisible, but we must be seen. There’s no need to apologise for asking for accommodations and inclusivity.


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