Underground Bookshelf

This memoir is a partner piece to "In the Space Where a Name Was Erased."

Many thanks to those who submitted their work to the July contest! Disabled voices continue to be missing from many spaces -- including reading, writing, and publishing spaces, so I look forward to sharing more from disabled writers next month, including writers from this contest!

Today's essay from Joey Paul is a throwback to 2014! While she has added discussions on disability in relation to writing to her repertoire -- her Spoonie Writer series is a great resource for disabled writers everywhere -- many of her discussion points in this article remain true.

I write to appease thatchild in me who never sawthemself on the page.

A poem by Laura Browne-Lambert, "Mantra" discusses the inherent ableism in the cultural expectation to never waste a second of time on something mundane, to always be working, adventuring, and creating. As a disabled artist and writer, Browne-Lambert often struggles to allow herself to rest and recover between activities. Inevitably, her body forces her to rest when it is unable to keep up with the demands placed on it. Her poem is a message to herself and others like her that rest is productive in its own way by allowing you to be rejuvenated.

Once again, I'd like to thank Joey Paul for sharing one of the posts from her "Spoonie Writer" series in which she offers advice and personal experiences from working as a disabled writer. Paul is a prolific young adult writer who crosses the crime, mystery, paranormal, dystopian and urban fantasy genres. This post was originally shared on March 3, 2025, at Bug Books: Joey Paul Online.

Q: Please introduce yourself! Share your name, pronouns, and something fun, interesting, curious, or important (take your pick) about yourself that you would like our audience to know about you.

Look sharp,look around you.When no one’s looking,I’m going to love you.

This week's resource is a continuation of the series on protest and activism. You'll find a short list of twelve works of fiction that either feature protest and activism or have been used to encourage political change. Directly below is a collection of resources connected to writing as activism. Writing has long been used as a tool in protests and movements for social change. The resources below provide guidance, context, and support for writers who seek to use their craft in this way. 

Thank you to Nanika Sissoko, founder of Nicki's Positivity Project, for sharing her "10 Affirmations Emphasizing Self-Love and Positivity for Individuals with Disabilities." Nanika has a developmental delay and learning disability. She works to support the mental health of people with disabilities through Nicki's Positivity Project. She also has experience in art and graphic design. Nanika originally shared the affirmations as a graphic design she created. For anyone using a screen reader, the affirmations are repeated under the image. Thanks again, Nanika!

I'm scheduled to table at the resource fairs for two events so far and am keeping an eye out for others in the late summer, early fall. If you happen to be located near one of the events listed below, you are invited to attend, and I hope you will visit the Underground Bookshelf table!

Lily Everett spent her entire life following along with what was expected of her; she never wanted to make waves. When senior year of college rolled around, she had a life that other girls envied- an awesome best friend, a spot on the cheerleading squad, and the dream boyfriend. Everything was perfect…until a stranger made her rethink everything and turned her world upside down.