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Do disabled people have to write about disability?

Crip Culture

Release Date: 12/06/2025

Do disabled people have to write about disability? show art Do disabled people have to write about disability?

Crip Culture

Crip Culture is hosted by Rosie Putland and Fiona Murphy, our producer is Honor Marino. In this episode we talk to crime writer Ashley Kalagain Blunt. Ashley tells us about the reality of being a bestselling author whilst navigating chronic illness. And we hear an excerpt of Janelle McMillan’s book ‘Rafting – A Wheelchair Won’t Stop Us!’   This podcast is proudly supported by Arts Tasmania and Print Radio Tasmania. Follow us on Instagram @CripCulturePodcast Guest bios: Janelle McMillan OAM is an artist and author who has cerebral palsy. While she describes herself as non-verbal...

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Crip Culture

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Crip Culture is hosted by Rosie Putland and Fiona Murphy, our producer is Honor Marino. In this episode we talk to author Kylie Maslen and poet Esther Ottaway. Esther tells us about working with 23 disabled writers to create the poetry anthology, Raging Grace. Kylie shares what it is like to write and edit a book on a tight deadline. This podcast is proudly supported by Arts Tasmania and Print Radio Tasmania. Follow us on Instagram @CripCulturePodcast Guest bios: Kylie Maslen is a writer and critic living on Country stolen from the Kaurna people of the Adelaide plains. Kylie’s first book...

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Crip Culture is hosted by Rosie Putland and Fiona Murphy, our producer is Honor Marino. In this episode we talk about how we made an accessible podcast and the story behind our name. Our guests are Laura Pettenuzzo and Dr Scott Avery. Laura shares what crip time looks for a freelance writer. Dr Scott talks about when he unexpectedly discovered that he had written a book. We ask both of them about representation and whether the publishing industry is accessible.  This podcast is proudly supported by Arts Tasmania and Print Radio Tasmania. Follow us on Instagram @CripCulturePodcast Guest...

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Crip Culture

Crip Culture is a disability-led podcast, hosted by award-winning writer Fiona Murphy and disability advocate/influencer Rosie Putland. Crip Culture shines a light on disability arts from publishing, film, TV, visual arts and beyond. Season one explores the publishing industry: What is it like being a disabled author or editor? Is the industry welcoming? Or are there still barriers? This podcast is proudly supported by Arts Tasmania and Print Radio Tasmania. Follow us on Instagram @CripCulturePodcast  

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More Episodes

Crip Culture is hosted by Rosie Putland and Fiona Murphy, our producer is Honor Marino. In this episode we talk to crime writer Ashley Kalagain Blunt. Ashley tells us about the reality of being a bestselling author whilst navigating chronic illness. And we hear an excerpt of Janelle McMillan’s book ‘Rafting – A Wheelchair Won’t Stop Us!’

 Transcript

This podcast is proudly supported by Arts Tasmania and Print Radio Tasmania. Follow us on Instagram @CripCulturePodcast

Guest bios:

Janelle McMillan OAM is an artist and author who has cerebral palsy. While she describes herself as non-verbal she has a lot to say. She is feisty, determined and smart. Her children’s book ‘Rafting – A Wheelchair Won’t Stop Us!’ is available free of charge to all Tasmanian schools and educational institutions.

Ashley Kalagian Blunt is the number one bestselling author of Dark Mode, which was shortlisted for the 2024 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year, the Ned Kelly Awards for Best Crime Fiction, and the Danger Award for Debut Fiction. She teaches writing workshops across Australia. Her latest thrillers are Cold Truth, which was also shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards, and Like, Follow, Die.

Links and resources:

 

Cover art: Judy Kuo

Music credits:
 -Moments Like These — Simon Folwar (Uppbeat)
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-My Tiny Love — Soundroll (Uppbeat)
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-Daybreak — Justin Lee (Uppbeat)
License: 9CWBO7AAYYCBXDLC