In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need for more diversity in publishing, which extends to neurodivergent voices. Neurodivergent authors bring unique perspectives and experiences, offering readers a chance to explore narratives that are often ignored or unheard of.
While big publishers such as MacMillan are now bidding for children’s books with neurodivergent characters, several smaller publishers have long been championing neurodivergent writing, actively seeking and promoting books that highlight the richness and diversity of neurodivergent experiences.
Neurodivergent is a political term used to describe individuals whose neurology differs from what is considered “normal” or neurotypical. Such neurological profiles include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.
A trailblazer of neurodivergent literature, founded in 1987, Jessica Kingsley Publishers demonstrates an unwavering commitment to promoting neurominority acceptance. This publishing house has long been a home for writers who explore the infinite variety of neurodivergence. From guides on dyspraxia, dyslexia, autism and neurodiversity as well as books on sensory processing and nonverbal learning disabilities, Jessica Kingsley Publishers covers a broad range of neurotypes and experiences.
This publishing house has pioneered neurodivergent voices with a wealth of books that include autistic memoirs by Donna Williams and Yenn Purkis and the recently-published guide to the neurodiversity paradigm, “We’re All Neurodiverse” by Sonny Jane Wise. Jessica Kingsley Publishers recent book on dyspraxia, “Stumbling Through Space and Time: Living Life with Dyspraxia“, is written by Rosemary Richings.
“’Stumbling Through Space and Time: Living Life with Dyspraxia’ shares my experiences of growing up dyspraxic and how it impacts my sense of space and time,” says Richings. “My book focuses on my experiences and insights, such as when I dealt with the challenge of bullies in school and my pursuit of opportunities such as starting a business and traveling abroad.”
Jessica Kingsley Publishers has books for readers of all ages, from children and adolescents, to books for parents and care-givers and academic books and textbooks. Each book is written by authors with lived experience, as the publisher believes in the importance of promoting true diversity.
Founded in 1980, Milkweed Editions, a renowned publisher in the small press literary world, has dedicated its Multiverse series to nurturing neurodivergent narratives via neurodivergent voices.
The Multiverse, curated by neurodivergent poet Chris Martin, is devoted to “the different ways of languaging.” Featuring several editorial voices in addition to Martin, the series amplifies the narratives of neurodivergent, autistic, neuroqueer, mad, nonspeaking and disabled culture.
The multiverse series currently has four books, all poetry collections: “The Kissing of Kissing” by Hannah Emerson, “The Wanting Way” by Adam Wolfond, “Aster of Ceremonies” by JJJJJerome Ellis and “Tressing Motions at the Edge of Mistakes” by Imane Boukaila.
Your Stories Matter recognizes the power of personal narratives to make a difference. With books on dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, mental health and sensory processing challenges, this publisher values neurodivergent stories. One standout book is “Everyday Aspergers” by Samantha Craft. A fragmented memoir published December 2018, “Everyday Aspergers” is edited from over 150 vignettes that highlight the autistic experience from an adult woman’s perspective.
Lived Places Publishing has a section only for neurominority authors in its “Disability Studies Collection“. These books include “Body as a Place” by Paris Simone Mágdala Antillón, “A Life Lived Well as a Non-Binary and Autistic Mental Health Advocate” by Yenn Purkis (who has authored over a dozen books with Jessica Kingsley Publishers), and “No Place for Autism?” by Jim Hoerricks.
“My book, ‘No Place for Autism?’, provides the framework to explore what it means to be autistic across varying contexts,” says Hoerricks. “I argue that autism is too often pathologised as a ‘disorder’ needing a ‘cure,’ rather than embraced as another way of being. We must shift the narrative — away from erasing autistic people’s essence, toward accommodating and empowering the wondrous diversity of human experience. My publisher Lived Places Publishing seeks out authentic voices like mine to lead the way in exploring the autistic experience.”
A publisher committed to illuminating the experience of social identity and lived places, Lived Places Publishing is committed to bringing cognitively marginalized voices to the forefront.
“My book will cover what it was like growing up as an undiagnosed Autistic in New York City and the trauma and invalidation that occurs when Autistic needs get dismissed for decades,” says Becca Lory Hector of her forthcoming book “Always Bring Your Sunglasses: Stories from a Life of Social and Sensory Invalidation“, which will surely add a complex layer to Lived Places Publishing’s commitment to showcasing the lived experiences of neurominorities.
Featured image: MissLunaRose12/Mrmw CC BY-SA 4.0
Edited by: James Sutton
Editor’s note: The spelling of a name was corrected and third paragraph edited post-publication.
