Sabina Nordqvist on The Power of Own Voices in Spoonie Romance

In this episode, Sabina Nordqvist shares her journey as a disabled author, discussing the importance of authentic disability representation, the impact of internalized ableism, and how to create meaningful characters with lived experiences. We delve into tropes to avoid, the significance of own voices, and practical tips for writers and readers alike.

Key Topics:

• Sabina’s author journey and the decade-long path to publication
• Challenges and stigmas around self-publishing and traditional routes
• The concept of “spoonies” and how chronic illness affects energy and daily life
• The importance of accurate and complex representation of disability in fiction
• Harmful tropes in stories about disabled stories or characters
• Building community and support systems in disabled and chronically ill communities
• Practical tips for authors to handle sensitive representation conscientiously
• Sabina’s upcoming novel, It’s All in Your Head, featuring chronic illness and fake dating tropes
• Recommendations for other authors with authentic disability representation

This episode is a crucial listen for writers aiming to depict disability accurately and for readers seeking stories that mirror real, lived experiences. Let’s continue to elevate authentic voices and foster more inclusive storytelling.

Connect with Sabina:

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BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:

It's All in Your Head

Christine Miserandino (Spoon Theory)

Talia Hibbert

Melissa Whitney

Sonora Reyes

Kennedy Ryan

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)