Cara·Question: Why do you think a lot of agents aren’t interested in stories about disability that don’t fit your typical sob-story narrative?
I’m getting ready to query my #ownvoices YA contemporary romance, centered around a female protagonist with cerebral palsy. What should I expect on the publishing side of things? (Marketability, etc.)
- Hannah·
What are some of the most common pitfalls of authors who write disabled characters?
Question in case you have time to take them: what thoughts do you have on the need or not to name on the page a character’s disability (such as autism) that’s only incidental to the story, especially in a YA fantasy world?
- Janine·
I feel like especially with autism, it’s a ‘you can’t win’ scenario. If they aren’t diagonsed as autistic (sometimes because autism dx doesn’t exist in that world), then it’s not considered proper representation, but if you do and they don’t act stereotypical, they will be accused of not being autistic. How can I handle this, especially in a world where being diagnosed with autism is harder than it is in today’s world?
My sensitivity reader (secondary character with Down syndrome) told me she was happy my character has a realistic role and isn’t “inspiration porn.” Can you talk a little about the roles characters with disabilities should and shouldn’t play?
- Hannah·
What are some of the least represented and most represented disabilities? Are they done well? What makes them well or poorly executed?
The book I’m going to query soon has an ADHD protagonist. It’s a YA fantasy with an interseting plot, but the internal struggle for the protagonist does involve her ADHD and learning to cope and have confidence. I know agents don’t want stories “about” the disability, but is it going to have points against me if the underlying internal conflict does deal directly with the disability?
- JayKay·
Q: Can you recommend books you love that have characters with disabilities?
How about characters with disabilities that are also POC or other diverse folks?
Thank you!Great question. Check out disabilityinkidlit.com for their “Honor Roll,” a list of recommendations where disability is done right. They also have wonderful reviews. Also, check out https://www.facebook.com/anovelmind/ — pinned to its page is a searchable Airtable doc listing hundreds of books with mental-health disability rep in kidlit.
- Maria Arthur·
I tend to notice more YA Romances centered around girls accepting and loving boys with physical differences (ie. the numerous Beauty and the Beast Retellings), but not so much the other way around. Why do you think this is?
I think this is because of internalized patriarchal bullshit where the woman is supposed to be *beautiful* as well as maternal. As an antidote to this toxic trope, I’d recommend reading DAMSEL by Elana K. Arnold.
If an author struggles with the same mental illnesses as their MC, should they/do they have to use the #ownvoices label on their work?
Hi Avery, I don’t think you *have* to, because self-identifying is a very personal decision. It is up to you. I didn’t self-identify as #ownvoices for a while, out of trepidation/fear. But now I’m a firm believer in the Mr Rogers quote, “anything that is mentionable, is manageable.” Still, we all come down differently on this, and it’s all good.
- Marquess·
Would you classify a mental illness for my character as a disability? It certainly handicaps her in the story. Is it even something that needs to be defined?
Yes, mental illness is a disability.
- Maria·
Have any of your read “Worth a Thousand Words” by Brigit Young? If so, how did you find it? I thought Young’s depiction of Tillie was beautifully done. We got to see what her world is like, living with permanent injuries from a car accident, and how her parents and classmates react to that and to Tillie, but we also got to see how she navigates the world, especially through her interest in photography.
Thanks!
- Cara·
What advice do you have for authors trying to query stories about disability/with disabled characters, especially #ownvoices?
- Susan Berardi·
I’ve heard some agents say that “aut lit,” autism literature, is what’s “hot” now, and they insinuated that I was trying to capitalize on the trend in the market instead of having a genuine reason to write the story. I am a mother of a son on the spectrum, and the novel, while fiction, comes from the heart. What can writers do to combat that accusation that we’re trying to use our protagonist’s disability for material gain instead of our larger purpose of writing what we know, what we’ve lived as a parent, and what we feel compelled to write? Thanks!
SusanThis is the first I’ve ever heard the term ‘aut lit.’ Hmmm…. interesting…. There is some truth to it, as I have noticed the sudden plethora of autistic side characters in kidlit lately. But I think that if a story is from the heart, and unique, and well-written, it will find its way, and no one should deter you from writing your truth to the best of your ability! Good luck!
- Alli·
What do you want to see more of in YA fantasy? You’ve talked a lot about not being “magically cured”, wich is a big pet peeve of mine too! But are there any other tropes you see fantasy writers falling into?
I’ve been curious. I have epilepsy, but I so rarely write about it. I’ve wondered if writing from my experience (positioned as a story) would be accepted in the kidlit community. I’ve had to overcome the stigma associated with the disease as well as the loss of control I’ve felt over my own body. It seems like it might fit the lack of control so many middle-graders feel.
I think you should totally, absolutely write about this! There are a lot of epileptic kids out there who would read it and feel seen, heard, and represented, maybe for the very first time. It could mean a lot to them. It sounds like maybe you are ready. Good luck to you and all the best.
Thanks so much for the very thoughtful discussion/answers!
- Susan·
Excellent, helpful, insightful discussion!
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