At INCLUDAS, we appreciate all of the writers who are working to make the world more inclusive and diverse. We are always looking to support and encourage authors to follow their dreams. Below is a list of resources, which will hopefully be helpful to emerging creatives looking for tips and opportunities in their fields. These…
Kristina joined the INCLUDAS team during June of 2022 as the Summer Children’s Literature Intern. We are so excited to have her with us! Tell us about yourself. My favorite thing about myself is my creativity. I feel like I have a pretty good imagination. It always keeps me busy, and I’m never bored because…
Sofia joined the INCLUDAS team during June of 2022 as the Summer Marketing Intern. We are so excited to have her with us! Tell us about yourself. Within my friend group, I can make a decision. I’m a little proud of it because, while it depends on the situation, there aren’t a lot of people…
Julia joined the INCLUDAS team during June of 2022 as the Summer Story Development Intern. We are so excited to have her with us! Tell us about yourself. I really care about doing what’s right and being a good person. I always try to do the right thing and try to help someone who needs…
Accurate representation of disabled characters in literature is already quite rare, but even more infrequent are nuanced depictions of disabled characters in romantic relationships. (We’re excluding narratives that end with said characters dying.) However, in L.S. Rydde’s The Pearls of Yesterday, its main character, Abigail, lives with spinal muscular atrophy and a deep desire to…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2022 Illustrator Signed for a Picture Book Starring a Black Girl in a Wheelchair Eugene, OR — INCLUDAS Publishing’s newest illustrator for an upcoming collaborative project is award-winning children’s book artist Melquea Smith. She will be the visual hand behind a picture book about a young Black girl in a…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2022 Book Deal Signed for Middle Grade Novel with Deaf Representation Eugene, OR — INCLUDAS Publishing’s newest author is eight-time published playwright Mike Steele, who has written his first novel inspired by the history of his hometown’s deaf school and community. Steele’s debut novel follows Lucy, an outspoken 10-year-old growing…
For this review, Catherine examines the contemporary middle grade novel “Air” by Monica Roe. Catherine is disabled but not a wheelchair user. Air by Monica Roe 5/5 stars 5/5 Twelve-year-old Emmie is a high-energy WCMX (wheelchair motocross) aficionado. She enjoys popping tricks on her wheelchair, going fast, and of course, hanging out with her best friend…
Hushed voices, crinkling dust jackets, and fingers clacking against keyboards. Peppery pencil shavings, sweet crisp paper, and musky ink. Rows of wooden bookcases, bright illustrative book covers, and a community of readers of all ages. INCLUDAS is celebrating these sounds, scents, and sights this month as February is National Library Lover’s Month. Your local library may be…
For the 3rd Annual Book Party today, our Senior Editor, Madison Parrotta, debunks some books with disability representation. Not all books are written equally, so we wanted to dive into some of the harmful and stereotypical messages that hide between the pages. Disclaimer: This post contains spoilers for all the books mentioned. My Brother Charlie by…
It’s our 3rd Annual INCLUDAS Book Party, and we made a tactile book. Tactile books stimulate a reader’s sensory skills. They usually contain interesting textures and surfaces or moving objects that help tactile learners engage with literary texts. They are fun for everyone, but are especially popular as learning tools for low vision and blind…