The National Autistic Society Scotland recently collaborated with the National Library of Scotland to create ‘Storytelling and Safe Spaces’, an event where autistic authors shared their personal experiences of reading and writing.

The event took place at the National Library of Scotland on Thursday the 17th of April, with over fifty people in attendance. The panel consisted of two autistic authors, Elle McNicoll and Chris Carse Wilson, and was chaired by Ashley Storrie.

Elle McNicoll is an autistic best-selling children’s author. Her debut book ‘A Kind of Spark’ centres around the story of an 11-year-old autistic girl. Elle is recipient of several awards including the 2021 Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize.

Chris Carse Wilson is an author who was diagnosed as autistic later in life. His debut novel ‘Fray’ was released in 2023. He is currently working on a novel about several generations of autistic people within one family.

Ashley Storrie is an autistic writer, actress, stand-up comedian, and radio presenter, who recently co-wrote and starred in 'Dinosaur’. ‘Dinosaur’ features Nina, an autistic palaeontologist, as she navigates change in the build up to her sister’s wedding. 

Within the event, the authors discussed how real and imagined safe spaces played a role in their journeys to becoming authors. They also reflected on the representation of autism in storytelling today. After an initial panel discussion, the audience were invited to join a Question-and-Answer session, where several attendees spoke up to ask questions about writing, reading, libraries, and more.

Chris Carse Wilson, Author, said: "It was a privilege and an honour to share a stage with Elle McNicoll and Ashley Storrie, who are both incredibly talented and very, very funny.

"Autism Acceptance Month is a really important time to share our experiences as autistic people. To work with the National Autistic Society and the National Library of Scotland to be part of an all-autistic panel was very special, and to share our conversation with a sell-out audience was a joy. 

"I never would have started down the road to my autism diagnosis had it not been for Chris Packham speaking so beautifully and frankly about his own diagnosis, so I feel strongly that events like this are crucial to raising awareness and acceptance, as well as showcasing the incredible creativity that autistic people are capable of."