Everything is Spherical: An Anthology of Dyslexic Writers

by Naomi Folb (Editor), Sarah Fearn (Editor), Louise Tondeur (Forward)

IT is widely accepted now that dyslexia and creativity are linked. But the concept of dyslexics-as-authors is still new and emerging. This anthology explores the dyslexic's creativity from the perspective of contemporary dyslexic writers. It includes a poem by the award winning writer Sally Gardner, a foreword by the esteemed dyslexic novelist Dr Louise Tondeur, and an essay by the renowned dyslexia expert Dr Ross Cooper. As a collection, it offers both autobiographical and fictional writing, and tackles a breadth of themes such as, what it means to be dyslexic, dyslexia and innovation, as well as learning to see yourself as thinking outside the norm. It offers readers visual narratives, thick with subversiveness, magic and reflection.

252 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2014

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given that the common thread of the anthology is a property of the authors rather than the stories it is perhaps not a surprise that this anthology is easy to dip in and out of or that liking one part doesn't mean you will enjoy all of it. There is however, some interesting stuff in here and the collection runs the whole range from autobiographical to poetry to speculative fiction.

That is the biggest problem really, while I think this book has something for everyone, I'm not sure the whole thing will fit anyone. I really struggled with the cheese/crime short Cheesehead, for example, but loved the more speculative Darwin's Children (which admittedly a friend wrote, but is it surprising that I enjoyed something by someone who likes the books I like?).

Well worth picking up if you like variety in your anthologies. Not sure about the left hand justification layout though.

[Elizabeth Tasker]

I contributed a story to this anthology, so naturally I thought it was spectacular!

[Marie (UK) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by dyslexic authors and comprising narrative about their struggles with formal learning and short stories or poems written by them. Some of these narratives / poems are excellent others less so. I am nut sure it is a book i would widely recommend but it was an easy read and in parts enjoyable.