Upcoming Events
Someone Like Me: Launching an Anthology of Non-Fiction by Autistic Writers
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In Someone Like Me, editors Clem Bastow and Jo Case showcase the wide-ranging experiences of Autistic gender-diverse and women writers - and explode long-held stereotypes. When it comes to Autistic representation, BIPOC and white gender minorities have existed on the fringes of mainstream media for too long, rarely seeing representations of their unique experiences, hardships and triumphs.
Delving into topics like sex, living room dance parties, the natural world, eating disorders, religion and all-encompassing passions, Someone Like Me brings together an eclectic mix of forms and voices that expand the cultural definition of the Autistic experience. Featuring contributions from authors from Australia and beyond - including Lucy Rose, author of The Lamb, and Naoise Dolan, author of Exciting Times - this groundbreaking anthology invites Autistic people of all kinds to find company in these pages, and maybe even see themselves too. Time: Thursday 25 September 2025 : 19:00 - 20:00 Location: Lighthouse Bookshop, 43-45 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9DB Tickets: £4 redeemable against the book Live-streamed Our Right to Thrive: Webinar for Disability Arts Online |
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Our Right to Thrive is a unique poetry/written word project for disabled writers led by disabled artist/ musician and poet Ivan Riches. The project provides an opportunity for disabled people to further explore the disabled community’s experiences of ableism, attitudinal barriers and discrimination from a personal and political perspective.
In this webinar Julie Farrell will talk about the lived experience of disabling barriers from a creative, neurodivergent perspective. She will offer a focus on issues of being heard and recognised, talking about issues of self-advocacy, self-determination, support structures. She will also talk about how the neurodivergent experience and outlook influences and shapes society, referencing the Inklusion Guide and the impact it has had on addressing barriers for neurodivergent writers. Our Right to Thrive is a project for disabled writers aimed at nurturing creativity, improving communication with the disabled community, sharing experience of living with disabling barriers, and fostering strength to better respond to discrimination. The project aims to empower our online community of disabled people: nurturing creativity, improving communication, sharing experience of living with disabling barriers, fostering strength to better respond to discrimination. 29 September, 2pm FREE Tickets: https://disabilityarts.online/events/our-right-to-thrive-webinar-with-julie-farrell/ |
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Past Events
Edinburgh International Book Festival - Julie Farrell, Elizabeth Kellingly, & Cat Mitchell: Towards and Inclusive Future
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Scottish Artists Union - an introduction to The Inklusion Guide: a kickass guide to making literature events accessible to disabled people
In her talk, Julie Farrell (co-author of the Inklusion Guide) will reflect upon how we can all implement the guide's advice on best access practices for organisations, collectives and workers across all of the arts sectors. Julie Farrell and B. D. Owens will also bring their experiences of activism into discussion; considering ways in which queerness and disability intersect. This event has been organised by members of the SAU Intersectional anti-oppression Subgroup.
To book:
Please register at this link if you would like to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
In her talk, Julie Farrell (co-author of the Inklusion Guide) will reflect upon how we can all implement the guide's advice on best access practices for organisations, collectives and workers across all of the arts sectors. Julie Farrell and B. D. Owens will also bring their experiences of activism into discussion; considering ways in which queerness and disability intersect. This event has been organised by members of the SAU Intersectional anti-oppression Subgroup.
To book:
Please register at this link if you would like to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
London Book Fair - Voices Unheard: Addressing Inclusivity and Representation in Publishing World
*I am no longer able to attend, as LBF could not meet my access requirements.*
This thought-provoking session is designed to recognise and embrace the power of narratives that have long been side-lined. The speakers will explore the importance of authentic storytelling, accurate representation, and the positive impact they have on readers of all backgrounds. From shedding light on diverse perspectives and the deepening crises for boys and men in publishing’s opportunities, to celebrating the remarkable progress achieved, acknowledge the challenges that remain, and chart a course towards a more inclusive and representative literary world. The debate will ensure that every voice finds its rightful place within the pages that shape our culture.
Main Stage
Wednesday 13th March, 15.15 - 16.00
https://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/en-gb/whats-on/seminar-programme/programme/session-details.3614.212966.voices-unheard-addressing-inclusivity-and-representation-in-publishing-world.html
*I am no longer able to attend, as LBF could not meet my access requirements.*
This thought-provoking session is designed to recognise and embrace the power of narratives that have long been side-lined. The speakers will explore the importance of authentic storytelling, accurate representation, and the positive impact they have on readers of all backgrounds. From shedding light on diverse perspectives and the deepening crises for boys and men in publishing’s opportunities, to celebrating the remarkable progress achieved, acknowledge the challenges that remain, and chart a course towards a more inclusive and representative literary world. The debate will ensure that every voice finds its rightful place within the pages that shape our culture.
Main Stage
Wednesday 13th March, 15.15 - 16.00
https://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/en-gb/whats-on/seminar-programme/programme/session-details.3614.212966.voices-unheard-addressing-inclusivity-and-representation-in-publishing-world.html
PAST EVENTS
Cymera Writers' Conference -
4:35pm: Access and Accessibility for Writers with Julie Farrell, Director and Co-founder of Inklusion
Ill be talking about the barriers that disabled and marginalised writers face in accessing the industry and opportunities for developments, and how best to tackle them.
Duration: 60 minutes
Room: Great Hall & Livestreamed on Zoom
Access: https://www.cymerafestival.co.uk/access
4:35pm: Access and Accessibility for Writers with Julie Farrell, Director and Co-founder of Inklusion
Ill be talking about the barriers that disabled and marginalised writers face in accessing the industry and opportunities for developments, and how best to tackle them.
Duration: 60 minutes
Room: Great Hall & Livestreamed on Zoom
Access: https://www.cymerafestival.co.uk/access
Edinburgh International Book Festival - Writing for Children: Diversity and Inclusion
Join A M Dassu, author of the award-winning book Boy, Everywhere and Fight Back and director of Inclusive Minds, Julie Farrell, author and co-founder of Inklusion, and Sally Polson, Editorial Director at Floris Books, for an enlightening conversation about the importance and challenges of writing inclusively. Chaired by debut author Yvonne Banham and Onie Tibbitt from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, our guest panel discusses the steps writers can take to increase diversity, inclusion and representation in writing books for children, avoiding common pitfalls and the role of sensitivity readers.
Join A M Dassu, author of the award-winning book Boy, Everywhere and Fight Back and director of Inclusive Minds, Julie Farrell, author and co-founder of Inklusion, and Sally Polson, Editorial Director at Floris Books, for an enlightening conversation about the importance and challenges of writing inclusively. Chaired by debut author Yvonne Banham and Onie Tibbitt from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, our guest panel discusses the steps writers can take to increase diversity, inclusion and representation in writing books for children, avoiding common pitfalls and the role of sensitivity readers.
Edinburgh International Book Festival - Celebrating Inclusion
Frustrated by literature events not being made accessible, disabled writers Julie Farrell and Ever Dundas conceived the Inklusion Guide, a useful resource for event organisers. This event celebrating the launch of their guide is chaired by Sinéad Burke, disability activist and founder of Tilting the Lens. Farrell and Dundas come together with industry figures including Jenny Kumar (Literature Alliance Scotland) and Zaahida Nabagereka (Head of Social Impact at Penguin Random House UK). With a special performance reading from writer and poet Jeda Pearl.
Huddersfield Literature Festival, Cultural Connections Conference - The 3 As of Digital Events: Accessibility, Audiences, Accounts
Julie Farrell & Ever Dundas, creators of the Inklusion Guide, and Lee Randall, author of Exploring the Post-Pandemic Landscape of Scottish Literary Festivals: Where Do We Go from Here? Chaired by HLF Festival Director Michelle Hodgson.
Julie Farrell & Ever Dundas, creators of the Inklusion Guide, and Lee Randall, author of Exploring the Post-Pandemic Landscape of Scottish Literary Festivals: Where Do We Go from Here? Chaired by HLF Festival Director Michelle Hodgson.
Industry Insider - The Big Issues
This year the Society of Authors post-AGM Industry Insider session focusses on the Big Issues. we'll be discussing inclusivity, diversity, and representation. SoA’s CEO, Nicola Solomon, will be in conversation with Nels Abbey (Black Writers’ Guild), Carol Russell (Inc Arts), Ever Dundas or Julie Farrell (Inklusion), and Bobby Nayyar (Spread the Word). This keynote panel discussion will take place on Zoom and follows the SoA’s 2021 AGM (5-6pm). We will be discussing the state of the industry, the challenges ahead and practical steps we can take to make a difference.
The SoA 2021 AGM takes place on Thursday 18 November from 5pm. It is an SoA member-only event, please register here.
This year the Society of Authors post-AGM Industry Insider session focusses on the Big Issues. we'll be discussing inclusivity, diversity, and representation. SoA’s CEO, Nicola Solomon, will be in conversation with Nels Abbey (Black Writers’ Guild), Carol Russell (Inc Arts), Ever Dundas or Julie Farrell (Inklusion), and Bobby Nayyar (Spread the Word). This keynote panel discussion will take place on Zoom and follows the SoA’s 2021 AGM (5-6pm). We will be discussing the state of the industry, the challenges ahead and practical steps we can take to make a difference.
The SoA 2021 AGM takes place on Thursday 18 November from 5pm. It is an SoA member-only event, please register here.
Putting on a Show: How to Find an Audience at Future Book - The Bookseller's Annual Publishing Conference
FutureBook will return with an in-person event in 2021, combined with a live-stream for attendees who wish to watch the sessions remotely. The theme of this year is RESET, as we emerge from lockdown with an unprecedented chance to challenge old assumptions and processes and create real change for a more relevant and resilient industry.
19th November at 155 Bishopsgate.
FutureBook will return with an in-person event in 2021, combined with a live-stream for attendees who wish to watch the sessions remotely. The theme of this year is RESET, as we emerge from lockdown with an unprecedented chance to challenge old assumptions and processes and create real change for a more relevant and resilient industry.
19th November at 155 Bishopsgate.
Aurora Prize for Writing 2021 by Writing East Midlands - Prize Giving Ceremony
A celebration event and prize giving ceremony for the Aurora Prize for Writing 2021, for which my poems 'Ripples of Change' and 'Freedom' have been shortlisted. I'll be reading 'Ripples of Change'.
The esteemed judges Debris Stevenson for poetry, and Jon McGregor for short-fiction, will introduce the prize winning work in each genre.
A celebration event and prize giving ceremony for the Aurora Prize for Writing 2021, for which my poems 'Ripples of Change' and 'Freedom' have been shortlisted. I'll be reading 'Ripples of Change'.
The esteemed judges Debris Stevenson for poetry, and Jon McGregor for short-fiction, will introduce the prize winning work in each genre.
Screen Share - Digital Skills Training: The Poetry Society
The Poetry Society is pleased to host Screen Share: two days of training sessions to develop digital skills. Sessions will focus on online event planning and accessibility, digital book launches, building social media audience, crowdfunding and subscription schemes, podcasting, livestreaming and digital archiving – with panellists, experts and speakers from across all branches of the literature sector.
The Poetry Society is pleased to host Screen Share: two days of training sessions to develop digital skills. Sessions will focus on online event planning and accessibility, digital book launches, building social media audience, crowdfunding and subscription schemes, podcasting, livestreaming and digital archiving – with panellists, experts and speakers from across all branches of the literature sector.
Poetry, LGBTQ+ and Disability: Queen Margaret University Creative Intersectional Week
From June 7th to June 11th, Queen Margaret University’s LGBT+ Charter and LGBT+ Society hosting a variety of events honouring Pride Week 2021. These events aim to discuss and celebrate intersectionality within the LGBT+ community. Focusing on the specific intersection between queer and disabled identities, this event features poetry readings from three poets who identify as disabled and members of the LGBT+ community, showcasing their work and inviting considerations of what it means to be a queer and disabled artist today.
From June 7th to June 11th, Queen Margaret University’s LGBT+ Charter and LGBT+ Society hosting a variety of events honouring Pride Week 2021. These events aim to discuss and celebrate intersectionality within the LGBT+ community. Focusing on the specific intersection between queer and disabled identities, this event features poetry readings from three poets who identify as disabled and members of the LGBT+ community, showcasing their work and inviting considerations of what it means to be a queer and disabled artist today.
SYP Scotland Conference 2021: Ctrl Alt Refresh, 26 March
2020 saw continued debates about accessibility and inclusion within the publishing world. Sharing the Password asked how publishing can do better to represent these voices, and what better representation means to the industry as a whole. I spoke on a panel with Nels Abbey, Mel Ramdarshan Bold, Anamik Saha and James Spackman.
https://www.sypconference.co.uk/
2020 saw continued debates about accessibility and inclusion within the publishing world. Sharing the Password asked how publishing can do better to represent these voices, and what better representation means to the industry as a whole. I spoke on a panel with Nels Abbey, Mel Ramdarshan Bold, Anamik Saha and James Spackman.
https://www.sypconference.co.uk/
Not Going Back To Normal - A Disabled Artists Manifesto Launch
Not Going Back to Normal is a provocation about how things are and an idea for how things could be. This gallery manifesto gathers disabled artists in their diversity, rage, and imagination to call out the institutional ableism in the Scottish arts and picture a future in which disabled artists are central. I was humbled to read my poem, IMAGINE, at the launch.
Not Going Back to Normal is a provocation about how things are and an idea for how things could be. This gallery manifesto gathers disabled artists in their diversity, rage, and imagination to call out the institutional ableism in the Scottish arts and picture a future in which disabled artists are central. I was humbled to read my poem, IMAGINE, at the launch.
Friday Forum #8 - Visual Arts Scotland and Creative Informatics
Friday Forum is an online sharing event for creatives, where they can showcase snippets of their work, give virtual tours around their current studio spaces, talk about a particular topic or theme, or provide insights into their creative practice or career.
Friday Forum is an online sharing event for creatives, where they can showcase snippets of their work, give virtual tours around their current studio spaces, talk about a particular topic or theme, or provide insights into their creative practice or career.
Disability in the Arts: Smashing Stigma, Creating Access and Using Your Voice - YWCA
This webinar for the Young Women's Movement in Scotland (YWCA) will look at how society views disability and how we can use our voices to create access and equality for disabled people.
This webinar for the Young Women's Movement in Scotland (YWCA) will look at how society views disability and how we can use our voices to create access and equality for disabled people.
WomenBeing Talks:
I was invited to talk about the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of disabled women, along with Dr. Catriona Stewart, Founder of the Scottish Women's Autism Network (SWAN); for WomenBeing Magazine's Online Talk series. WomenBeing Magazine is a magazine of international feminist perspectives.
I was invited to talk about the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of disabled women, along with Dr. Catriona Stewart, Founder of the Scottish Women's Autism Network (SWAN); for WomenBeing Magazine's Online Talk series. WomenBeing Magazine is a magazine of international feminist perspectives.
Edinburgh City of Literature Spotlight:
I was invited to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on my life as a disabled woman along with author, Ever Dundas, for the Edinburgh City of Literature Spotlight feature, which aims to support artists during the pandemic.
I was invited to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on my life as a disabled woman along with author, Ever Dundas, for the Edinburgh City of Literature Spotlight feature, which aims to support artists during the pandemic.
Breaking the Mould: Creating Disabled and Low-Income Access to Publishing - Paisley Book Festival
I was delighted to bring together award-winning author Ever Dundas with Stuart White, founder of Write Mentor; Briana Pegado, director of Creative Edinburgh; and Lynsey Rogers, Writing Communities Coordinator at the Scottish Book Trust, in a discussion about diversity in publishing – and what positive changes are being made to open the gates - for Paisley Book Festival's inaugural festival.
I was delighted to bring together award-winning author Ever Dundas with Stuart White, founder of Write Mentor; Briana Pegado, director of Creative Edinburgh; and Lynsey Rogers, Writing Communities Coordinator at the Scottish Book Trust, in a discussion about diversity in publishing – and what positive changes are being made to open the gates - for Paisley Book Festival's inaugural festival.
(Re)Presenting Cover Girls - International Magazine Centre:
I was invited to talk on a panel about representation of diversity in women's magazines. The talk followed a presentation by Dr Gabrielle Bittelbrun and Dr Ivana Ebel on their research into representation of minorities over 5 years and on more than 550 magazine covers. I joined Arusa Quereshi, editor of The List, Jamie Jefferson, Co-Founder and CCO at Equator, Avril Gray, Head of Publishing at Edinburgh Napier University, and Dr Margaret Hughes, from the University of the West of Scotland.
I was invited to talk on a panel about representation of diversity in women's magazines. The talk followed a presentation by Dr Gabrielle Bittelbrun and Dr Ivana Ebel on their research into representation of minorities over 5 years and on more than 550 magazine covers. I joined Arusa Quereshi, editor of The List, Jamie Jefferson, Co-Founder and CCO at Equator, Avril Gray, Head of Publishing at Edinburgh Napier University, and Dr Margaret Hughes, from the University of the West of Scotland.