Skip to main content
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee
The Outside by Ada Hoffmann
Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde
On the Edge of Gone by Corrine Duyvis

April is Autism Acceptance Month, and though I wish it went without saying, the first voices anyone should seek out when learning about autistic folks, or any marginalized group for that matter, are voices that come from within that very community. If you’re unsure how to support someone, ask them! Who understands their needs and experiences better than they do? So, in that spirit, allow me to introduce you to six autistic authors, many of whom are disability advocates, that you should be reading. Writing across a number of genres — romance, science fiction, YA — their stories captivate neurodivergent and neurotypical readers alike.

 width=Helen Hoang | The Kiss QuotientBerkley

30-something math whiz Stella Lane has all the numbers on where and how people spend their money, and she’s made a lot of her own developing algorithms to predict their purchases. When it comes to romance and dating, on the other hand, she has very little data to analyze. What’s a girl with Asperger’s, an aversion to French kissing and a penchant for research to do? Collect more data. Enlisting the help of professional escort Michael Phan, Stella plans to study up on everything from foreplay to more advanced forms of intimacy. As Stella grows to enjoy their time together, she’ll discover that love has a logic all its own. width=

Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2016 and a romance addict since eighth grade, Hoang’s own journey inspired her to write The Kiss Quotient. A Goodreads Choice Award Winner, People says this “witty debut proves that feelings are greater than numbers, no matter how you add things up.” It’s “an absolute delight,” declares BuzzFeed. “Charming, sexy, and centered on a protagonist you love rooting for.”

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop

 width=Talia Hibbert | Act Your Age, Eve Brown, Avon

Another couple of characters worth rooting for are certified hot mess Eve Brown and always-in-control Jacob Wayne. When Eve’s latest employment venture flies away with a few liberated wedding doves, her parents decide to cut her off until she can hold down a job. Jacob’s bed-and-breakfast needs a new chef, but this uptight perfectionist has no intention of letting chaotic Eve anywhere near his business, not when he’s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industry. But then, Eve hits Jacob with her car. Now injured and understaffed, he’s got little choice but to watch as a purple-haired menace takes over B&B operations … and melts his heart. width=

Both Eve and Jacob are on the autism spectrum, as is author Talia Hibbert. In an interview with BookPage, she shared that, although her first explicitly autistic character appeared in A Girl Like Her, “this book is the first time I’ve written both leads as autistic, and it was very satisfying because it’s a pairing that makes sense to me. It also reflects the relationship I’m in personally.” BookTrib contributor Y.M. Nelson calls Hibbert’s third Brown Sisters novel “the definition of romantic comedy.” Read her full review here.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop

 width=Yoon Ha Lee | Ninefox Gambit, Solaris

This next book may not feature autistic characters on the page; however, its author shared in his public journal that he received an autism diagnosis as an adult. In the interstellar empire known as Hexarchate, a disgraced military commander, Captain Kel Cheris, must redeem herself for resorting to unorthodox strategies. Ruled by mathematics, deviating from the prescribed number theory or implementing new data sets threatens to drastically warp the very fabric of the universe. Heretics, who have committed such crimes, have captured the Fortress of Scattered Needles, and if Cheris wants to salvage her career, not to mention save the empire from crumbling, she’ll have to retake the fortress before it falls. width=

Her best hope for completing this mission is downloading the consciousness of undead tactician General Shuos Jedao. Never defeated in battle, Jedao may be the only person, dead or alive, that can figure out how to take back control of the fortress. The problem? He went mad in his first life and slaughtered his own armies. As much as she may need his expertise, Cheris doesn’t know if she can trust Jedao. Winner of the Locas Award, and a Hugo, Nebula and Arthur C. Clarke Award nominee, Ninefox Gambit delivers “an intricate and deeply imaginative dystopian military space opera,” writes Ada Hoffman, who happens to be our next author.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop

 width=Ada Hoffmann | The Outside, Angry Robot

Here we have another sci-fi novel, this one with autism represented both on and off the page: Autistic scientist Yasira Shien has created technology that could alter the future of humanity as she knows it. Suspecting something is amiss while making her final prepations, she tries to delay the launch. When forced to proceed, despite her reservations, the energy drive warps reality and destroys everyone aboard the space station. Accused of heresy, Yasira is taken by agents of the AI Gods who rule the galaxy. In exchange for sparing her life, she must track down a greater threat — her mentor who has inexplicably disappeared. width=

Hoffmann, whose work has been a finalist for the Philip K. Dick Award among others, “confidently layers morality and disability rights into a breezily told adventure that bursts with sheer fun,” says Publishers Weekly. “This beautifully smart, uncynical space opera will charm fans of Charles Stross and Lois McMaster Bujold.” Hugo Award-winner Sarah Gailey calls The Outside “a beautiful, stark reclamation of unknowable horror. Hoffmann layers thoughtful worldbuilding and rich prose to build a stunning story of power, ambition and personal agency.” If you’re interested in discovering more autistic authors of speculative fiction, the Autistic Book Party page on Hoffmann’s website reviews and catalogs the work of dozens of writers.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop

 width=Jen Wilde | Queens of Geek, Swoon Reads

It’s time to tap into your inner nerd, because we’re headed for SupaCon with three best friends. After a public breakup with her co-star, vlogger/actress Charlie Liang is surprised to learn that her crush on internet celebrity Alyssa may not be one-sided, but when the wrong video file is shared for all the world to see, the two girls will have to confront their feelings in the open. Meanwhile, pro fangirl Taylor is confronting a crush of her own. Autistic and socially anxious, she worries about changing her friendship with Jamie, even if she wishes it would. Certain to “be a favorite of anyone who is a fan of geek culture,” notes Bustle, “this fun book about fierce friendships gives voice to a group of diverse female characters who are so defined by so much more than just their mental health and sexuality.” width=

“I’m queer, nonbinary, and autistic,” states Wilde in a Q&A with CBC Diversity. “Those parts of my identity definitely influence the stories I write and the way I see the world.” When asked to choose a book that meant a lot to her, she explained, “As a teen with undiagnosed autism, anxiety and depression, [Girl, Interrupted] was the first to ever make me feel like I wasn’t alone.” It’s not hard to imagine that Queens of Geek and Wilde’s other work will provide similar comfort to readers.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop

 width=Corrine Duyvis | On the Edge of Gone, Abrams

The end of the world draws near. Just over a decade from now, in January of 2035, a comet is set to collide with Earth. As Denise, an autistic girl living in Amsterdam with her sister and drug-addict mother, heads for shelter with her family, they stumble upon a spaceship that has yet to take off. This generation ship, charged with carrying the last of humanity to new worlds, may just be their ticket out, but only those with skills that will support a new colony are being permitted aboard. Denise worries that her autism will disqualify her, but even if it doesn’t, what about her mother? Her sister? What about the countless other lives seeking shelter from the apocalypse? width=

“A riveting apocalyptic thriller with substantial depth,” lauds Publishers Weekly. School Library Journal calls it “insightful, suspenseful, and unsettling in its plausibility.” A co-founder and editor of Disability in Kidlit, Duyvis originated the #ownvoices hashtag, which identifies books whose authors share the same underrepresented and marginalized identities as the characters they feature. The hashtag aims to make these titles more accessible.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop

This is far from an exhaustive list of autistic authors. If you’re interested in reading more from autistic voices, check out the #AutisticAuthor hashtag on Twitter, A Novel Mind’s database of YA and Children’s books that discuss neurodiversity and mental health issues, Geek Club Books and the Actually Autistic Blogs List.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

30-something math whiz Stella Lane has all the numbers on where and how people spend their money, and she’s made a lot of her own developing algorithms to predict their purchases. When it comes to romance and dating, on the other hand, she has very little data to analyze. What’s a girl with Asperger’s, an aversion to French kissing and a penchant for research to do? Collect more data. Enlisting the help of professional escort Michael Phan, Stella plans to study up on everything from foreplay to more advanced forms of intimacy. As Stella grows to enjoy their time together, she’ll discover that love has a logic all its own.

Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2016 and a romance addict since eighth grade, Hoang’s own journey inspired her to write The Kiss Quotient. A Goodreads Choice Award Winner, People says this “witty debut proves that feelings are greater than numbers, no matter how you add things up.” It’s “an absolute delight,” declares BuzzFeed. “Charming, sexy, and centered on a protagonist you love rooting for.”


Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Another couple of characters worth rooting for are certified hot mess Eve Brown and always-in-control Jacob Wayne. When Eve’s latest employment venture flies away with a few liberated wedding doves, her parents decide to cut her off until she can hold down a job. Jacob’s bed-and-breakfast needs a new chef, but this uptight perfectionist has no intention of letting chaotic Eve anywhere near his business, not when he’s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industry. But then, Eve hits Jacob with her car. Now injured and understaffed, he’s got little choice but to watch as a purple-haired menace takes over B&B operations … and melts his heart.

Both Eve and Jacob are on the autism spectrum, as is author Talia Hibbert. In an interview with BookPage, she shared that, although her first explicitly autistic character appeared in A Girl Like Her, “this book is the first time I’ve written both leads as autistic, and it was very satisfying because it’s a pairing that makes sense to me. It also reflects the relationship I’m in personally.” BookTrib contributor Y.M. Nelson calls Hibbert’s third Brown Sisters novel “the definition of romantic comedy.” Read her full review here.


Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee

Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee

This next book may not feature autistic characters on the page; however, its author shared in his public journal that he received an autism diagnosis as an adult. In the interstellar empire known as Hexarchate, a disgraced military commander, Captain Kel Cheris, must redeem herself for resorting to unorthodox strategies. Ruled by mathematics, deviating from the prescribed number theory or implementing new data sets threatens to drastically warp the very fabric of the universe. Heretics, who have committed such crimes, have captured the Fortress of Scattered Needles, and if Cheris wants to salvage her career, not to mention save the empire from crumbling, she’ll have to retake the fortress before it falls.

Her best hope for completing this mission is downloading the consciousness of undead tactician General Shuos Jedao. Never defeated in battle, Jedao may be the only person, dead or alive, that can figure out how to take back control of the fortress. The problem? He went mad in his first life and slaughtered his own armies. As much as she may need his expertise, Cheris doesn’t know if she can trust Jedao. Winner of the Locas Award, and a Hugo, Nebula and Arthur C. Clarke Award nominee, Ninefox Gambit delivers “an intricate and deeply imaginative dystopian military space opera,” writes Ada Hoffman, who happens to be our next author.


The Outside by Ada Hoffmann

The Outside by Ada Hoffmann

Here we have another sci-fi novel, this one with autism represented both on and off the page: Autistic scientist Yasira Shien has created technology that could alter the future of humanity as she knows it. Suspecting something is amiss while making her final prepations, she tries to delay the launch. When forced to proceed, despite her reservations, the energy drive warps reality and destroys everyone aboard the space station. Accused of heresy, Yasira is taken by agents of the AI Gods who rule the galaxy. In exchange for sparing her life, she must track down a greater threat — her mentor who has inexplicably disappeared.

Hoffmann, whose work has been a finalist for the Philip K. Dick Award among others, “confidently layers morality and disability rights into a breezily told adventure that bursts with sheer fun,” says Publishers Weekly. “This beautifully smart, uncynical space opera will charm fans of Charles Stross and Lois McMaster Bujold.” Hugo Award-winner Sarah Gailey calls The Outside “a beautiful, stark reclamation of unknowable horror. Hoffmann layers thoughtful worldbuilding and rich prose to build a stunning story of power, ambition and personal agency.” If you’re interested in discovering more autistic authors of speculative fiction, the Autistic Book Party page on Hoffmann’s website reviews and catalogs the work of dozens of writers.


Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde

It’s time to tap into your inner nerd, because we’re headed for SupaCon with three best friends. After a public breakup with her co-star, vlogger/actress Charlie Liang is surprised to learn that her crush on internet celebrity Alyssa may not be one-sided, but when the wrong video file is shared for all the world to see, the two girls will have to confront their feelings in the open. Meanwhile, pro fangirl Taylor is confronting a crush of her own. Autistic and socially anxious, she worries about changing her friendship with Jamie, even if she wishes it would. Certain to “be a favorite of anyone who is a fan of geek culture,” notes Bustle, “this fun book about fierce friendships gives voice to a group of diverse female characters who are so defined by so much more than just their mental health and sexuality.”

“I’m queer, nonbinary, and autistic,” states Wilde in a Q&A with CBC Diversity. “Those parts of my identity definitely influence the stories I write and the way I see the world.” When asked to choose a book that meant a lot to her, she explained, “As a teen with undiagnosed autism, anxiety and depression, [Girl, Interrupted] was the first to ever make me feel like I wasn’t alone.” It’s not hard to imagine that Queens of Geek and Wilde’s other work will provide similar comfort to readers.


On the Edge of Gone by Corrine Duyvis

On the Edge of Gone by Corrine Duyvis

The end of the world draws near. Just over a decade from now, in January of 2035, a comet is set to collide with Earth. As Denise, an autistic girl living in Amsterdam with her sister and drug-addict mother, heads for shelter with her family, they stumble upon a spaceship that has yet to take off. This generation ship, charged with carrying the last of humanity to new worlds, may just be their ticket out, but only those with skills that will support a new colony are being permitted aboard. Denise worries that her autism will disqualify her, but even if it doesn’t, what about her mother? Her sister? What about the countless other lives seeking shelter from the apocalypse?

“A riveting apocalyptic thriller with substantial depth,” lauds Publishers Weekly. School Library Journal calls it “insightful, suspenseful, and unsettling in its plausibility.” A co-founder and editor of Disability in Kidlit, Duyvis originated the #ownvoices hashtag, which identifies books whose authors share the same underrepresented and marginalized identities as the characters they feature. The hashtag aims to make these titles more accessible.


Chelsea Ciccone

Chelsea Ciccone graduated from the University of North Georgia with a degree in English and now writes and edits for BookTrib.com. She has lived all over the U.S. in her twenty-something years, but, for now, she calls Connecticut home. As a writer, she believes that words are the most accessible form of magic. When she’s not dabbling in the dark arts, she can be found rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, participating in heated debates about literature, or proclaiming her undying love to every dog she meets.

One Comment

Leave a Reply