How wonderful is The Other Bennet Sister on BBC iPlayer. And they have shown her stimms suggesting she has a neurodivergent condition. 🤗

My sleep pattern is topsy-turvy 😭😭 Goodnight..Good afternoon...good morning

🚨NEW @NCISH_UK STUDY🚨 NCISH has been commissioned to examine the transition process from CAMHS to AMHS. This can be a high-risk period for patients. To better understand this risk, we are asking patients, carers and clinicians to share their experiences of mental health services via online survey

Thrilled to share the first issue of Fractal Spectrum, a new magazine that I am very lucky to also be featured in. Created by the fabulous @eimanmunro.bsky.social 🎉 www.fractalspectrum.co.uk #FractalSpectrum #writerslife #kidlit #autistic #author #ukteenchat #GrimogenDarkstar #writing

I haven't laughed so hard in a while. Please tell me I'm not going crazy. This minty biscuit is something else...crunchy..but not the orange one🤣🤣 youtu.be/MDzVnkh_-EY?...

Dad's car aircon apparently only works in the winter. Car contrarian vibes right there. Salute.

My dad taking up cycling in his 70s and travelling across London on his second hand fixer-upper bike for funzies is so on brand.

We had an incredibly productive day yesterday at the House of Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee giving our autistic perspectives and sharing our priorities with those that will take forward their evidence and findings to the government. Having a voice at this level is incredibly powerful.

Cracked open a fresh new journal ready for tomorrow's session in the House of Lords to have a private session with the 2009 Autism Act Committee. We need to see progress in all industries and support for us to access employment and health care needs.

I almost fainted! Well they've now set the baseline of my fitness. Will be going through three months of physical exercises then anothe assessment. I hope to see positive changes in my mood, and feelings as a result of at least moving more.

Due to struggles with depression my GP has referred to me to participate in a research project with the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience. Today they're assessing my fitness.

Had another brill DYCP session with @finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social talked about rejections and processing them. Last week we looked at starting and making time for writing. I'm just grateful that I have these as I've been feeling quite low about it all and needed this to remind me I am still a writer!

I received a rejection today...the one time I wish it was an April fools joke 😭😭😭

Eid Mubarak lovely folks. 🤗

I sometimes question how much I'm taking on! But it's just too exciting not to lean in ...

It's only Tuesday and I've already filled up a week's worth of work. From #dycp project, Parliamentary visit as Autism Champion, SEN workshopping to Heritage planning. And now I've just completed my final prep for tomorrow's autism training for an Ambulance service. Tip: Naps in between helps a lot!

I've been selected to be one of the speakers at this year's Autism &ADHD Show in London, June. Last year was all about Autism and Migration experience this year it's Autism and Employment. Plus next week I get to visit House of Parliament as Autistic Champion again.

@zeenagos.bsky.social Hi Zeena, I am ready to discuss a date for autism prezzie with @scbwi-bi.bsky.social gang. How shall I contact you about it?

For World Book Day I honoured my mesopotamian feline hero Varjak Paw by @whatsfsaid.bsky.social And unlike Varjak I stayed indoors ...

Every once in a while when I hear the “women can’t write” BS doing the rounds I like to remind folk that the first known author was a woman. 😉

Exciting news: Undiscovered Voices is opening soon for entries. The judges are: Becky Bagnall, Saskia Leach, Charlie Selvaggi-Castelletti, Tierney Holm, Julia Churchill, Frances Taffinder. And as if that isn't exciting enough I can't wait to share more soon.... undiscoveredvoices.com

TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS, PARENTS! If you're looking for a free bookish activity for your kids, here's a lesson-long virtual school visit I did with @booktrust.bsky.social, all about how I went from being a young reader to writing books like Varjak Paw & Tyger! #BookSky www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWHw...

Too much in head..need to veg..

"My runner-up is Far is Watching by Eiman Munroe, which was another entry with a beautiful voice that drew me in. I really got a strong sense of the character just from that first page." www.wordsandpics.org/2025/03/slus...

Ramathan Mubarak to you all. 🤗💞

Where has February gone!

After moving out of my office 4 months ago, I finally have a dining table to write on!

Do we fit the person to the job or do we fit the job to the person? What if we can untap talent by creating suitable roles individualised for specific people? I'm exploring this idea for our SEN community.

Our autistic children become autistic adults and have strengths, challenges and needs that are untapped and neglected when they grow up wanting to work. So many concerned parents are contacting me about their children's needs. Something needs to be done to support all parties.

I dropped my car off with the mechanics to sort my indicator out and I feel so grown up.

Autistic children won't always recognise hierarchy. And that comes across as 'naughty' or 'rude'. It isn't that. They see others as equal, so will treat you as a friend/peer. Once, I saw a headteacher (let's call her Ms Trunchbull) get cross over this behaviour!😔 Understanding is needed in schools

Had a wonderful day delivering workshops to SEN Parents and learning all about their needs. I am tired but happy. I've always felt most useful working within the field of SEND. Just a lovely day all round. Doubly nice that we had free use of the local Community Room in Morrisons.

Had a brilliant @citylit.bsky.social writing session with tutor @pennyjoelson.bsky.social I just feel so creatively energised every time. Such a lovely morning all about Tension and Pacing.

Off to another @scbwi-bi.bsky.social Brunch. See you soon @zeenagos.bsky.social @farrahriaz.bsky.social 🤗 But first..

At Anna Freud final event celebrating and reflecting on the #NATPmentalhealth programme. Felt very nervous presenting our part but we did it!🤗

12 Months after the launch of Undiscovered Voices 2024, I caught up with last year's 16 winners and found out what kind of year they've had since 'getting discovered'. Read all about it here. #writingcommunity #kidlit #writingcompetitions #scbwi www.wordsandpics.org/2025/02/undi...

So excited to be part of the committee for @scbwi-bi.bsky.social Undiscovered Voices 2026 - the amazing competition for unagented, unpublished authors of kids fiction. It's going to be a good one 🤩 Follow for all the latest updates #UV26 #kidlit #writingcommunity

Delighted to be teaching 'Writing YA' again online for Faber Academy @faberacademy.bsky.social starting in March. From a previous student: 'Really supportive tutor. She provided excellent insights and it felt like she knew what she was talking about.' faberacademy.com/product/writ...

Love this Empathy book by Daron Roberts with a lovely foreword by @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social . Took me back to 1991 when the first Gulf War started and my head teacher called me into her office. She wanted to assure me that if anyone bullied me for being Iraqi, I should come to her first thing.❤️

Breakfast yesterday accompanied a new book buy. Sorted.

Check this out and please give a follow to Undiscovered Voices - the amazing competition for un-agented, unpublished authors of kids fiction. I'm privileged to be the Dep. Chair of the committee for the next round of the comp and we've got exciting news coming v. soon. #kidlit #writingcommunity

Writers of #kidlit - don't miss this brilliant upcoming opportunity to join the @uvcompetition.bsky.social family of writers! #UV26 #writingcommunity

Undiscovered Voices is BACK 🙌🥳🤩 We can't wait to kick off #UV26 and our hunt for fresh new voices in children's literature. Watch this space for news of our live online launch, judges, workshops and more 👀 #kidlit #writingcommunity #amwriting #writingforchildren

A bit random...but I love gonzo!

I have my copy of the most current research supporting our autistic children's mental health. Vital to keep abreast of this stuff, especially as I travel up & down the country delivering training hundreds of professionals. Not to mention helping to understand needs of my story characters too!

What's with the uppitiness of some people. Every time I pull out my Society of Authors card at my local @waterstones.bsky.social the bookseller says, snootily, "Everyone is an author these days." "Yeah...well...that a good thing!" Is what I want to say. But I don't. I might....Next time.

My book shelves are double booked. Literally. What else do you call it?

Great news. Our local library Heritage and Archives team have awarded our Iraqi community a small grant to protect our local archive content. It's the first step towards getting the Scoping Grant from the National Archives. Very excited to get started over this vital piece of work.

Spent the evening with my mum. As my dad's abroad she's missed his Turkish coffee that he makes especially for her every evening at 8pm. It's not the same when she makes it, she says. The pair of them are so cute.