What do you think?
Rate this book
Literally: A Joyful Guide to the Ups and Downs of Being Autistic
Not yet published
Expected 4 Jun 26A joyful, realistic and relatable guide to being autistic, whether you know you are, think you may be or love someone who is.
There are three reasons why this book is called Literally:
Number 1: Autistic people can take things literally.
Number 2: This is a literal book. Clear in its language, easy to understand and accessible.
Number 3: It’s relatable. What do you say when someone says something so profoundly relatable that it connects to your own experience perfectly? ‘LITERALLY!’
Tenuous fourth It looks great on a front cover.
Illustrator and content creator Ella Willis was 22 when they were formally diagnosed with autism but this was no surprise. Growing up they felt like they’d surely been dropped on earth by aliens and would eventually be rescued. Social blunders, overstimulation, intense joyful special with the label of autism, these experiences made so much more sense.
In Literally, Ella is here to help you navigate all parts of being autistic, destigmatize neurodivergence and offer accessible, practical and hopeful advice. From getting a diagnosis to self-diagnosis, stimming to masking, navigating relationships to sensory issues, Ella uses their personal story, research, illustrations and interviews to provide a clear-eyed view of the autistic experience,
This is the book to help you – or your loved ones – thrive.
There are three reasons why this book is called Literally:
Number 1: Autistic people can take things literally.
Number 2: This is a literal book. Clear in its language, easy to understand and accessible.
Number 3: It’s relatable. What do you say when someone says something so profoundly relatable that it connects to your own experience perfectly? ‘LITERALLY!’
Tenuous fourth It looks great on a front cover.
Illustrator and content creator Ella Willis was 22 when they were formally diagnosed with autism but this was no surprise. Growing up they felt like they’d surely been dropped on earth by aliens and would eventually be rescued. Social blunders, overstimulation, intense joyful special with the label of autism, these experiences made so much more sense.
In Literally, Ella is here to help you navigate all parts of being autistic, destigmatize neurodivergence and offer accessible, practical and hopeful advice. From getting a diagnosis to self-diagnosis, stimming to masking, navigating relationships to sensory issues, Ella uses their personal story, research, illustrations and interviews to provide a clear-eyed view of the autistic experience,
This is the book to help you – or your loved ones – thrive.
- GenresNonfiction
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 4, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a fun, lighthearted, yet genuinely necessary exploration of life as an autistic woman, particularly through the lens of late diagnosis and everything that follows after finally finding the language for yourself.
as a late diagnosed neurodivergent woman myself, this is exactly the kind of book i wish younger me had stumbled across while taking those first shaky steps into acceptance, adjustment, and learning to choose myself rather than endlessly performing for others.
there’s warmth that makes the guidance feel approachable rather than clinical. it balances humour with honesty, acknowledging the exhaustion, confusion, masking, and quiet grief that can come with realising how long you’ve moved through the world misunderstood, even by yourself.
this is also an ideal book for those who love autistic people and want to know more. or who want to expand their knowledge on neurodivergent people. 🌻
personally, i’m now quite far into my own journey, so much of the advice and reassurance here are things i’ve slowly gathered along the way through lived experience. but that almost made me appreciate it more, because of the relatability, and this will absolutely be a beacon of light for the people who need it most.
🧠 an accessible and compassionate look at late diagnosed autism
💗 balances humour with genuine emotional honesty
🌱 thoughtful reflections on masking, identity, and self acceptance
📚 exactly the kind of handbook many neurodivergent women deserve earlier in life
a gentle but important read that i know will find the right people at exactly the right time.
thank you so much to the author and publisher for the arc.
as a late diagnosed neurodivergent woman myself, this is exactly the kind of book i wish younger me had stumbled across while taking those first shaky steps into acceptance, adjustment, and learning to choose myself rather than endlessly performing for others.
there’s warmth that makes the guidance feel approachable rather than clinical. it balances humour with honesty, acknowledging the exhaustion, confusion, masking, and quiet grief that can come with realising how long you’ve moved through the world misunderstood, even by yourself.
this is also an ideal book for those who love autistic people and want to know more. or who want to expand their knowledge on neurodivergent people. 🌻
personally, i’m now quite far into my own journey, so much of the advice and reassurance here are things i’ve slowly gathered along the way through lived experience. but that almost made me appreciate it more, because of the relatability, and this will absolutely be a beacon of light for the people who need it most.
🧠 an accessible and compassionate look at late diagnosed autism
💗 balances humour with genuine emotional honesty
🌱 thoughtful reflections on masking, identity, and self acceptance
📚 exactly the kind of handbook many neurodivergent women deserve earlier in life
a gentle but important read that i know will find the right people at exactly the right time.
thank you so much to the author and publisher for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to attend an event hosted by Pan Macmillan, where I got to meet Ella Willis and pick up a copy of their book.
Literally is a literal and honest guide to being autistic, a guide I wish I'd had when I was going through the process of being diagnosed a few years ago. Ella Willis talks about their experiences as a late diagnosed autistic person and explains autism in a language that is more accessible.
It is such a helpful book and I had many 'ah-ha' moments whilst reading. I have read it cover to cover but I shall definitely be flipping back to certain sections because Literally is such an invaluable resource to help understand both myself and my autistic friends and relatives.
Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan for the proof!
Literally is a literal and honest guide to being autistic, a guide I wish I'd had when I was going through the process of being diagnosed a few years ago. Ella Willis talks about their experiences as a late diagnosed autistic person and explains autism in a language that is more accessible.
It is such a helpful book and I had many 'ah-ha' moments whilst reading. I have read it cover to cover but I shall definitely be flipping back to certain sections because Literally is such an invaluable resource to help understand both myself and my autistic friends and relatives.
Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan for the proof!
May 6, 2026
I absolutely loved this book and it could not have come at a better time. I’ve been trying to pluck up the courage to go to the GP to ask for a referral for an autism assessment and this book has given me the information I need to feel confident in pursuing this further.
Ella has created an amazing and easy to understand guide to autism. It’s a mix of their own personal experiences as an autistic person, backed with research and medical information. They have also gathered information from a diverse range of autistic individuals to share their experiences. I really enjoyed the top tips at the end of each chapter, with recommendations to help ease distress and discomfort associated with daily challenges.
I really enjoyed Ella’s illustrations throughout too.
I really connected to this book, it has helped me to understand myself a lot better and challenged the preconceived assumptions and stereotypes that I didn’t realise I had about autism. I highly recommend that everyone reads this book, as I think everyone can take something away from this.
This was without a doubt a 5⭐️ for me.
Ella has created an amazing and easy to understand guide to autism. It’s a mix of their own personal experiences as an autistic person, backed with research and medical information. They have also gathered information from a diverse range of autistic individuals to share their experiences. I really enjoyed the top tips at the end of each chapter, with recommendations to help ease distress and discomfort associated with daily challenges.
I really enjoyed Ella’s illustrations throughout too.
I really connected to this book, it has helped me to understand myself a lot better and challenged the preconceived assumptions and stereotypes that I didn’t realise I had about autism. I highly recommend that everyone reads this book, as I think everyone can take something away from this.
This was without a doubt a 5⭐️ for me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was diagnosed about 5 years ago & ever since, I have been seeking answers to better understand myself. Ella has included soooo much in this book/audiobook that has further expanded my knowledge of autistic thinking & myself. It is truly a book I will refer back to time & time again
May 15, 2026
My hope for this book is that its widely read not just be neurodivergent people, but also neurotypical people. I think that they would learn so much about the reality of the neurodivergent reality.
I was late diagnosed 5 years ago now, at the age of 38. Now at 43 i am still trying to work through the years of not understanding myself and am trying to learn who i am without my mask. It is a process.
This book was so wonderful to read. At times it was like a warm reassuring hug, promising me that i wasn't alone. At others it felt raw and open and made me very emotional.
And it also helped me learn about things that other autistic people can experience that i don't myself which is always helpful.
It is honest and unfiltered, and yes, literal. Ella writes in such an easy to read and personable way, it feels like you are talking to a friend.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
I was late diagnosed 5 years ago now, at the age of 38. Now at 43 i am still trying to work through the years of not understanding myself and am trying to learn who i am without my mask. It is a process.
This book was so wonderful to read. At times it was like a warm reassuring hug, promising me that i wasn't alone. At others it felt raw and open and made me very emotional.
And it also helped me learn about things that other autistic people can experience that i don't myself which is always helpful.
It is honest and unfiltered, and yes, literal. Ella writes in such an easy to read and personable way, it feels like you are talking to a friend.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews