This is the difficult bit. At the time of writing, I am yet to find a job. In fact, the last six months is the longest that I have been out of work since I was nineteen. With that, comes the reason why I decided to switch to using a pen name for my romance novels. As anyone who has tried applying for a role which involves an application via a company’s website, there is the question of whether the applicant is disabled or requires any adjustments.

My son taking part in a Run Archery event

The problem is that in declaring a non-visible disability, does it put the applicant at a disadvantage?

Let’s go back a couple or three decades when I was making my first forays into the world of employment. My parents thought that, since I had failed to achieve the grades needed to study Law and become a solicitor, the world of banking might be an alternative. I had an interview at one bank which will remain nameless where the bank manager stated that I would probably be marrying and having children before long. To say I was surprised was an understatement. Yes, I had a boyfriend, and chances were that we would marry at some point, but to have this total stranger assume I would have children, and therefore, leave my job?

Of course, now, employers can’t ask those sorts of questions. But I can’t help but feel that the disability question has taken its place. All employers claim that they adhere to the relevant rules, but do they? Or, do they look at an applicant with even a hidden disability and mentally shake their heads?

I have had one manager, who said she had worked with autistic people. She may well have, but not all autistic people are the same. Another manager, who had already admitted that she wanted rid of me, was also told I was autistic. Her attitude was that it didn’t matter, that I still had to pull my weight. And yes, there would come a point where I would slip up and she could be rid me as she wanted.

And that brings us to the issue of why would I choose to use a pen name. Simple enough. I write paranormal romance. Of all the sub-genres of romance, it is the one which almost guarantees ‘steam’. So, yes, I write sex scenes. Are you able to imagine how frustrating it is to be asked if my books are like FSOG? Or, do I give free copies to colleagues?

On that note, I shall leave you. As Mental Health Awareness month draws to a close, please look after yourselves. As a survivor, I discovered that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

A random chocolate brownie cake, coated in chocolate ganache and giant milk chocolate drops