Big news from BFS members (and leaders) Shona Kinsella and David Green: A new independent non-profit organisation designed to help creatives thrive in publishing.
Shona Kinsella, Chair of the British Fantasy Society and author of Daughters of Nicnevin, and David Green, Secretary of the British Fantasy Society and author of Magic, Maps, and Mischief: A Cozy Neurodivergent Adventure, are delighted to announce the formation of Divergent Paths, a non-profit organisation designed to aid neurodivergent writers, agents, editors, artists and other creatives in navigating the publishing industry.
Shona and David welcome any assistance from volunteers and/or partners, and are ready to listen to our neurodivergent friends from across the industry to see how Divergent Paths can help provide its assistance. They’ll be available at the upcoming World Fantasy Convention to discuss ideas and plans.
In the short-term, Divergent Paths aims to provide an oversight of areas of focus, including contacts for advice, best practice for working with neurodivergent people, and an overall support network. Long-term, our aim is to also provide mentorship and engage with leaders across the industry to champion neurodivergent creatives and help forge new pathways to publication and healthy, vibrant and rewarding careers.
Says Shona Kinsella:
“It’s become increasingly apparent to me over the last few years that there is a significantly higher percentage of neurodivergent people in the creative industries than you would expect to find across the general population. Publishing as an industry—and a career choice—is full of rejection and uncertainty, and yet there are so many neurodivergent people working in publishing and facing extra struggles with things like rejection and uncertainty. This project seeks not only to help and support neurodivergent people who wish to break into the industry, but also to provide support for those seeking to build a thriving, sustainable career.”
Says David Green:
“Divergent Paths is a project Shona and I have had in mind for a long time, and I’m thrilled to finally get the initiative off the ground. The publishing industry can be difficult for all creatives—as well as wonderfully rewarding—but there are specific hurdles that face neurodivergent people. There are many instances of self-rejection, dismay, burnout and confusion across all roles in the publishing industry that uniquely affect neurodivergent people, and the aim is for Divergent Paths to provide assistance and guidance, as well as best practice guidelines. But these are just the first steps. We have ambitious plans, and we’re determined to see them through. I’m excited, and I hope everyone reading this is too.”
More information:
- Find us at: www.divergentpaths.co.uk
- Bluesky: @divergent-paths.bsky.social
- Email: divpaths@gmail.com