The definitive anthology on what it’s like to grow up disabled. With twenty-two autobiographical stories from the most celebrated writers in the disabled community. Growing up disabled can be an isolating experience. As much as you might be surrounded by loving and well-meaning friends and family, chances are no one close to you is going through this alongside you… until now! From navigating sports at school, to facing the confusion of getting given free stuff all the time, to juggling hospital trips alongside your social life, this anthology of firsthand experiences of childhood disability will be a welcome companion for disabled children. For non-disabled children it provides a welcome own-voice perspective and will help build empathy and understanding. A very powerful, much-needed book. Edited by James Catchpole, Lucy Catchpole and Jen Campbell. With contributions from Ali Abbas, Polly Atkin, Imani Barbarin, Jen Campbell, James Catchpole, Christina Couture, Carly Findlay, M. Leona Godin, Eugene Grant, Jan Grue, Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini, Ilya Kaminsky, Sora J. Kasuga, Jessica Kellgren-Fozard, Elle McNicoll, Daniel Sluman, Nina Tame, Rebekah Taussig, Steven Verdile, Alex Wegman, Ashley Harris Whaley and Kendra Winchester. Illustrated by Sophie Kamlish.
Authors
Ali Abbas is the author of “Like Clockwork”, a steampunk mystery published by Transmundane Press. His other published works include: “Image and Other Stories” a collection of seven short stories that examine themes of love, loss and the haunting nature of bad decisions; and “Hajj – My Pilgrimage” a light-hearted and secular look at the pilgrimage to Mecca that is at the heart of the Islamic faith. His short stories “An Absolute Amount of Sadness” and “The Girl Who Gives Me Sunsets” have been published in anthologies from Mad Scientist Journal. “Désolé Habibti”, a paranormal romance, has been published in the “On Fire” anthology, and "Finding Galatea" in the Transcendent anthology, both from Transmundane Press.
Carly Findlay is a blogger, writer, speaker and appearance activist. She challenges people’s thinking about what it’s like to have a visibly different appearance. Carly was named as one of Australia’s most influential women in the Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards for 2014. Carly received the 2010 and 2013 Yooralla Media Awards for Best Online Commentary for her body of disability focused writing. She also won the best personal blog category for Kidspot Voices of 2013, and the 2013 BUPA Health Activist award for Positive Life Change. She’s also been a finalist in the Best Australian Blogs competition in 2011, 2012 and 2014. She organised Australia’s first Ichthyosis meet in 2015 – bringing together 75 people affected by the rare, severe skin condition Ichthyosis. 25 attendees had Ichthyosis. Friendships and support networks were formed. Carly appeared on 'You Can't Ask That' and 'CyberHate' with Tara Moss on ABC TV in 2017. Carly is writing her first book – a memoir – titled 'Say Hello: How I Became The Hero Of My Story' coming late 2018 with Harper Collins Australia. She is represented by Jacinta di Mase’s agency.
Author and academic. My work deals first of all with embodiment - with what it means to be a body in an endlessly complex world. I've worked in various genres, combining literary exploration and elements of science fiction and speculative fiction, publishing five short story collections, a novel, and several children's books. My book of autobiographical non-fiction, I Live a Life Like Yours, was first published in Norwegian in 2018. “The book will, in all likelihood, linger as a mile stone signifying that a new maturity is reaching autobiographical literature in Norwegian non-fiction,” wrote Morgenbladet’s Ane Farsethås. Dagbladet’s reviewer called the book ”a literary masterpiece that I recommend in the strongest terms!”, giving the book five stars. The book went on to win the Literary Critics’ Award and has been nominated to the Nordic Council’s Literature Prize – as the first Norwegian non-fiction book in 50 years. The English translation, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, will be available in August, 2021.
Polly Atkin is a poet and academic. She lives in Cumbria and teaches English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Strathclyde. She has published widely in magazines and literary journals, and her pamphlet, Bone Song, was shortlisted for the 2009 Michael Marks Pamphlet Award. Her second pamphlet, Shadow Dispatches, won the 2012 Mslexia Pamphlet Prize and is published by Seren.
