Autistic POV: Reading Roundup 2 (Video)

In the episode I look at two books in Amazon’s Disability Fiction category. Both have a neurodivergent FMC. One autistic. The other a little less clearly identified.

I discuss different aspects of the books, including spice level, neurodivergent representation, and the degree of “overcoming” neurodivergent traits.

Spoiler: To me, overcoming in neurodivergent fiction usually isn’t a good thing!

I also talk about two of my own stories (with neurodivergent FMCs) currently being serialized on Substack, my thoughts on character arc, masking in fiction and more.

The video has a little background noise and a few mistakes. You can listen to the cleaned up audio only version here:

You can find the books mentioned in the video here:

1. Wicked Deception 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Deborah Garland (Irish Mafia Romance) Neurodivergent FMC - on Amazon. Check triggers!

2. Quiet Please 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Sara Hazel (Contemporary Romance) Autistic FMC - on Amazon.

3. Trancing Miranda 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Barbara Graver (Vampire Romance) PTSD, Autistic FMC - Serializing on Substack (coming soon to Amazon). Check triggers!

4. Madison Revisited 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Barbara Graver (Second Chance Romance) Autistic FMC - Chapter One on Substack.

Other resources mentioned in the video:

• You can find the Amazon Disability fiction category at Amazon > Literature & Fiction > Disability Fiction

• You can check out my serialized romance, AuDHD memoir and related content at barbaragraver.substack.com

Corrections

What I forgot to say: Please read the trigger warnings in ALL books discussed. The Irish Mafia book is pretty violent (torture, sexual assault, and more) and my vampire romance isn’t always an easy read either. Same thing for the other romances.

What Changed: I have decided to publish the short story that inspired my second-chance neurodivergent romance as a stand-alone short story (instead of serializing the whole work-in-progress). The vampire story is still being serialized in full with new installments posting every Sunday (except this one).

What I got wrong:

• Traits vs. Issues. If you've followed me for a while, you probably know that I consider autism, ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence to be unique and valuable human neurotypes. Calling ND traits “issues” was not the best choice or words.

• Supporting my Substack. (video) I said my paid tier on Substack was $1 a week or $6 a year in the video. It’s actually $1 a month or $6 a year but it doesn’t really matter because all my content is free. Unless, of course, you want to support my work 🙂

I made a few mistakes in this video. The sound could have been better. My eyeliner was off. I didn’t make the point wanted to make about my FMC’s arc. But if I wait until I get everything perfect, I’ll never post anything. The audio only is better.

I’ll try to address the part about the arc next time.

Hope to see you next time!

Until then,

Thank you for being there <3

PLEASE NOTE: If you haven’t started the PNR serial you can find the first installment here:

I talk a bit about representation in this podcast but I’m going to do something a little more in depth in a future episode:

Thanks again for watching!