Tips for navigating the publishing industry as an Autistic writer

The first time I wrote a book, I was not quite sure that’s what I was even doing until I was nearly finished the first draft. I knew I had a story to tell, a voice I felt the urge to capture on the page, but beyond that, I wasn’t thinking about it. And even now, three published books later, the best part of writing is the same. Being in the flow – whether that is keeping a journal, writing an article, or attempting to get to the end of a 60,000-word+ project – soothes my mind. It allows for things to line up in a way they don’t otherwise get to, which grows more and more important to me the older I get.

As an Autistic author, I thought I would share what I have learned so far about writing and publishing, in hopes it might be helpful for aspiring or emerging Autistic writers, because your stories are important.

Getting started

Publishing can be quite an opaque industry, and I love to demystify it for other people as much as possible. Info-dump incoming! I preface all of this by saying, there are many ways to crack into the industry, and this has only been my experience. When it comes to the actual writing, my advice is quite straight-forward. Read a lot and read widely; it will make you a better writer. Audiobooks are wonderful. You don’t have to plan out a whole book before you start writing it. Start with an idea, or a voice, and see where it takes you. I think of this as a ‘tree by tree’ approach. Don’t look at the whole forest, just think about your next few steps. What are five things I can do to work towards this outcome? Keep it low stakes; give yourself permission for the first draft to suck. When you are in the flow of writing, go with it, but build in supports for yourself like reminders to stop for toilet, food, and drink breaks. Rest is vital.

Writing time

I find focus can be an issue, in that sometimes I have a lot of it, which is wonderful, but sometimes I can struggle to keep it on the job at hand. Allowing myself messing-around time while my manuscript is open on my computer – looking at social media, fidget toys, reading the news – allows my focus to find its way back to the project when its ready. Sometimes. And some days are just not productive, which is fine too. In the same way that autism is a dynamic condition – our capacities can fluctuate depending on many factors – so too can our writing. There have been days when I have sat at my computer and written more than most authors write in a month, and there have also been whole months that have passed without writing a single word.

The first draft of a book can be written in a matter of weeks or can take years to come together. My first novel took years, and my latest book came together from concept to publication in about 19 months. No one way is more valid than another.

Building your profile

If what you are interested in writing is more along the lines of an opinion piece or article, there are many wonderful publications that take submissions throughout the year. Check websites for submission criteria and seek out templates for how to word these. Starting with shorter pieces is also a good way to establish your own writing voice and profile and will be beneficial down the track if you are ever thinking of pitching a bigger project like a book.

Breaking into the industry

Once you are working on a manuscript or project in a serious way, allow yourself to deep-dive into the publishing industry. Listen to podcasts, read blogs, join writers’ centres, flick to the acknowledgement pages of your favourite books. Absorb as much information as you can. I made publishing a special interest and that has helped me to navigate it, especially with anxiety around the unknowns. Keep your eyes out for opportunities – callouts for unpublished manuscripts, competitions, pitching events, festivals. There are so many different ways that writers connect with the people that will end up opening a door for them. Something that was important to me early on was seeking feedback on my writing, as I did not feel as though I had much of a read on where it stood. Early feedback, from both a writers’ group and a competition, helped me to go back and improve the manuscript that would eventually become my first novel.

Navigating professional relationships

One of the trickiest parts of being an author, and also one of the most rewarding when it goes well, is navigating relationships. Other authors are not your competition, they are your cohort. Support other writers in whatever ways feel authentic and manageable for you. There is connection and friendship to be found, not with everyone, of course, but on the whole, authors are lovely folk. And do your best not to enter the comparison game because nobody wins. The people you choose to work with are important – seek out neuro-affirming people, those who seek to accommodate and learn more about autism and neurodivergence, and those who are naturally straight-forward. It is okay to ask for clarification or more information. Equally as important as the people you surround yourself with are the ones you don’t. People that are duplicitous can make your experience much more fraught than it needs to be, and it is okay to distance yourself from these kinds of people. Trust your gut, and the vibes.

Dealing with rejection

Every single writer on the planet faces rejection; it is part of the gig. For those of us who deal with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) it can sometimes feel quite personal – they don’t like me, they think my work is crap, I can’t do this, I will never be a writer. I still haven’t found a work-around to avoid feeling like this when a rejection comes through. What I have learned is how to be more accommodating to myself when it happens. It is a good time to take a break – to immerse myself in some sensory joy such as sitting in my garden, snuggling under a cosy blanket, or having a nice long shower. Be kind to your mind and come back to the work whenever you are ready.

About Kay Kerr

Kay Kerr is an Autistic author and journalist from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Her new book, Love & Autism, is out now. You can find her work at kaykerr.com.