The following is a list of peer writing groups open to disabled authors, or those writing about disability, including mental illness.
* Inclusion here does not equal endorsement. Please do your own research before joining.
All links are current as of August 2020. If you find a non-working link, or if you know a group that should be added to / deleted from this list, please let me know.
Thank you!
— Nicole Melanson
Brotherhood of the Wordless (Queensland, Australia)
The Brotherhood of the Wordless (BOW) is a unique group of writers and poets with assorted disabilities that impair their ability to communicate. BOW writers have problems connected to autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities which preclude speech and the muscle co-ordination required for handwriting or unassisted use of a keyboard. We use facilitated communication and are able to type using a qwerty board or electronic devices.
Speak Up Hunter (New South Wales, Australia)
Speak up Hunter is a peer group for people with intellectual disability to have a strong voice. The group wants to support people to learn how to speak up. It is a place where people can talk if they have something on their chest. Previous projects have included performance poetry and rap.
Nicole Melanson 
Hello Nicole,
My name is Toshia Poundstone and I wrote the book Orchid. I put it under my middle name which is sort of the beginning of my stage name. I am disabled and I was not really doesn’t believe in myself which is why I had to write my story. It was written about me but with a twist. It’s about a girl with cerebral palsy who wins a contest and is sent off to outer space. It’s a world run by disabled people. Its queens are disabled and all are based on the four seasons. I know that it may not be much but I had to start somewhere being self-published and all.
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Congratulations on writing your book, Toshia! Thanks for sharing your story with me. I wish you all the best with your work. Kind regards, Nicole
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Hello Nicole ,my name is John W Hopkins Jr and I have written a book about my dealing with a life changing stroke.I am a musician and while in Japan is where the stroke happened. I am looking for an editor, someone who will work with me in bringing this book to fruition which I believe will help others who are dealing with stroke and it’s aftermath .I would like to discuss this with you.
Thank you
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Hi, John. Thanks for getting in touch and sharing some of your story with me. I’ll send you an email now to follow up. Thanks! Nicole
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