Writing does not owe the market your body, your health, or your wellbeing. Participation is multi-dimensional. Creative contribution does not have to be commercial to be valid. The most important shift is this one: You are not here to contort yourself to fit writing systems. Writing systems should flex to keep writers in the work.
I want to return to something I have said before: most writers aren’t struggling with talent — they’re struggling with systems.
Publishing, education, workshops, submissions, even “how-to-write” advice often assume a very narrow kind of writer: someone with endless energy, perfect eyesight, nimble hands, linear thinking, and no need for accommodation.
That writer exists. They’re just not the only one.
So I want to talk about how to choose writing and publishing pathways that respect how you work, rather than quietly punishing you for being different.
Systems Aren’t Neutral (Even When They Pretend to Be)
It’s tempting to think that industry standards are neutral: word counts, deadlines, submission formats, feedback norms. They’re not.
They reflect the preferences of the people who built them — often editors, academics, and institutions with the least barriers to participation. When writers experience difficulty within those systems, the blame is usually internalised.
I’m not disciplined enough.
I’m too slow.
I should be able to do this.
Instead, the question should be asked: who does this system serve well — and who does it quietly exclude?
The Australian Human Rights Commission is clear that participation drops when environments fail to adapt to human variation. Writing culture is no exception.
Advocacy Is Not Confrontation
When writers hear the word advocacy, they often imagine conflict. Pushing back. Making demands. That’s not what I mean here.
Advocacy, in practice, often looks like:
- choosing timelines that match your capacity
- asking for clear briefs instead of vague feedback
- selecting editors who understand your process
- opting for publishing models that give you control
It’s not about forcing institutions to change overnight. It’s about placing yourself where you can do your best work without constant self-defence.
Choosing a Pathway That Fits You
There is no single “right” way to publish. There are options, each with trade-offs.
Traditional publishing can offer distribution and prestige — but often comes with rigid timelines, opaque processes, and limited flexibility. Independent and hybrid pathways offer control and adaptability — but require decision-making, support networks, and self-trust.
For a break down what these publishing pathways actually mean for you as an Australian author, and help you spot which one best fits your book, your goals, and your sanity – read my blog: Which Publishing Path is Right for You?
For writers with disability, chronic illness, neurodivergence, or changing capacity, flexibility is not a luxury. It’s foundational.
Before choosing a path, I encourage writers to ask:
- Does this model respect how I work?
- Who holds the power at each stage?
- What happens when I need more time, not less?
If the answer relies on you masking, pushing through, or apologising — keep looking.
Editors, Gatekeepers and Finding the Right Allies
One of the most powerful acts of advocacy is choosing your collaborators carefully. Not all editors are the same. Not all mentors are safe. Not all feedback is useful.
Supportive professionals:
- ask how you work before telling you how to work
- explain why something needs attention
- separate voice from mechanics
- respect boundaries and capacity
You are allowed to interview the people who work on your writing. You are allowed to walk away from those who diminish you.
That’s not being difficult. That’s being discerning.
Opting Out Is Also a Choice
Some writers decide not to pursue publication at all — or not yet. Instead, they write for family, community, legacy and/or for themselves. That is not failure.
Writing does not owe the market your body, your health, or your wellbeing. Participation is multi-dimensional. Creative contribution does not have to be commercial to be valid.
The most important shift is this one: You are not here to contort yourself to fit writing systems. Writing systems should flex to keep writers in the work.
Speaking Plainly
If you take nothing else with you, take this:
- Protect your capacity.
- Choose collaborators who respect it.
- Build timelines that forgive interruption.
- Measure success by continuity, not speed.
Writing is a long relationship. Treat it — and yourself — accordingly.
You don’t need to decide everything at once. You don’t need to justify your choices to anyone.
Start with one question: What helps me keep writing?
Choose that.
The rest can wait.
Australian References & Further Reading
- Adult Learning Australia – Self-directed learning and participation pathways
- Australian Human Rights Commission – Access, participation and inclusive practice
- Department of Social Services – Disability, ageing and inclusion frameworks
- Arts Queensland – Support structures for artists and writers