Hi all, I am posting this link (with permission from Dan. Thank you!) to my bday fundraiser to support my disability studies Masters thesis and the book I’m writing about dismantling chronic pain and illness stigmas. These projects are part of my broader pain activism & education work. Funds raised will in part go toward my Unexpected Shape Writing Academy subscription. I’d love for you to check my fundraising email out to learn more about my work and donate if you are so moved: https://mailchi.mp/e9a7ea68b94c/support-maayans-birthday-fundraising?e=a3a65d44b7 There is a donation link in the email but people have been asking about other ways to send funds as well: PayPal: http://paypal.me/maayansimon Venmo @maayan-simon (0408 are last four digits of my phone #) Thanks!

This is the introduction thread. Say hi, tell us where you’re from and what your writing is all about! In your introduction, answer these 4 questions: ➡️ What is your name (preferred pronouns as well, if you don't mind) ➡️ Why did you decide to join The Unexpected Shape Café? ➡️ What is your favorite book? ➡️ What are you interested in writing about? We can’t wait to meet you! If you'd like to share anything else as well, feel free! And welcome!

Hi all. I’m gathering notes for a new essay about our bodies’ relationship with cellphones and other technology. As background research I’m looking at Donna Haraway’s “cyborg manifesto.” She tends to take an optimistic view. For myself, I’ve worn eyeglasses for 50 years, and will probably need to have artificial knee joints implanted in the near future. Just wondering if anyone has strong disagreements with the optimistic perspective? Certainly our interactions with cellphones seem to be warping our posture.

Here is the website link with the details. The grants are $500-$2000 and are open to women (cis and trans) and non-binary people whose writing is feminist. https://demingfund.org/apply-pd-11.php

Hello, Many of you may already be aware of this website for the Disability in Publishing organization but I just came across it: https://disabilityinpublishing.com Under “Resources” there are directories of agents, editors, freelancers etc. who are interested in disability. I have no affiliation with the website or anyone associated with Disability in Publishing. I am not at the point of seeking an agent, if I decide to go this route, but it seems like a great place to start if I do decide to pursue an agent.