3:23pm June 7, 2014

Autism Women’s Network e-book call for additional submissions

Hello Tumblr Autistic community!

I am working with the Autism Women’s Network on their forthcoming e-book, and we are doing a secondary call for chapter submissions, on the theme “What do you wish every parent of an Autistic girl knew?” and wanted to reach out to the engaged and insightful autistic women of Tumblr.

Here is a synopsis of the project:

Autism Women’s Network is embarking on an eBook series. The first will be an anthology-style format where Autistic women answer the question: “What do you wish every parent of an Autistic girl knew?”

AWN’s goal to offer the parent community a view of what their daughters might be thinking while they navigate the exciting yet challenging and confusing formative years. We want to offer a wide range of experiences and diversity, as no two people or families are alike. Too often parents are overwhelmed with guidebooks which provide medical and clinical advice. Our eBook series is designed to counter the way parents filter information by offering them the chance to hear from Autistic women who were once their daughter’s age.

Autism Women’s Network seeks to reflect the challenges, realities, and the success, of Autistic women and their experiences, with a balanced view.

Writing Guidelines:

Suggested length is up to 4000 words; however, we will consider all submission lengths.

AWN encourages contributors to be mindful of word choices. Too often in our community the dominant language that parents are bombarded with evokes fear and dread; all of which result in a lack of acceptance of their autistic children. We have the opportunity in this publication to address the realities of personal autistic experience, including challenges, while simultaneously framing our language to reflect unconditional autism acceptance.

AWN does not use functioning labels as we believe it to be damaging to the diverse lives of Autistic people. Please find an alternate way to describe your abilities and challenges other than these phrases (HFA, high-functioning, low-functioning, etc.) A great explanation on this topic is by non-speaking Autistic Activist, Amy Sequenzia: “Functioning Labels, Again” http://autismwomensnetwork.org/article/functioning-labels-again

All submissions must be author’s original work (not previously published elsewhere.)

Pre-submission Guidelines:

Once you submit for consideration, AWN asks that your submitted work (or any portions or revisions of the work) not be published anywhere (including on social media or blogs) or submitted for consideration for publication until AWN has made a decision.

All submissions must be true, but at the same time, AWN asks that authors consider and respect all duties of confidentiality (professional or otherwise) as well as the privacy of all individuals (especially minor children), and if details are changed to protect confidences or privacy (something AWN encourages), that that simply be noted at the end of the submission (such changes, if noted, will NOT disqualify any submission but may be discussed as part of the editorial process).

Once your submission is accepted, all authors will be credited. There will be no compensation at any point in time, even if AWN charges or earns a fee for the eBook. In addition, all accepted authors will need to sign a publication agreement that addresses various formalities and establishes the rights of authors and AWN in and to the submitted work.

If your submission is accepted, you will be matched with an editor and edits may be requested before eligible for publication.

And just as a reminder, as per AWN’s Statement on Gender, if you do or have identified as an Autistic woman or girl, in any way, including by trans or non-binary gender identity, your submission is welcome!

If you are interested in submitting or have more questions, please contact us at publishing@autismwomensnetwork.org.

And please share/reblog!