Penny Pepper
LightNews LightNews
banner
penpep.bsky.social
Penny Pepper
@penpep.bsky.social
700 followers 630 following 210 posts
UK true socialist by seaside. Author, poet, disability activist whose work explores our stories through provocation, wit, kindness. Opinion journo. Novel on subs & new poetry almost. Saucy old punk gal. Cat mum. Wobbly health at moment. Grr.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
penpep.bsky.social
Penny Pepper @penpep.bsky.social · 5d
@together2012cic.bsky.social ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿👩‍🦽‍➡️🌈
penpep.bsky.social Penny Pepper @penpep.bsky.social · 5d
Maybe this should come with a trigger warning. It's a reminder about the intentional killing of disabled people. Today is Holocaust Memorial Day and I was commissioned by Together 2012 to write this piece I’m proud of.
#HolocaustMemorialDay #DisabilityHistory #HMD2026 #RememberThePast #AktionT4
A photo of Penny taken by professional photographer JJ Waller recently. Sitting in front of a black background of white spots Penny has red brown wavy hair below her shoulders worn in a vintage 50s style with vintage style make up. She has a pink flower in her hair and stares directly at the camera with a half smile on her face. She wears a necklace which is a pair of mini red catseye glasses. The vibe is thoughtful.
penpep.bsky.social
There is love in the smallest second, and pleasure in shared connections that build friendship. I will not allow hatred and horror to infect me or defuse my belief in knowing there are good people, everywhere. Let us never forget, let truth not be buried. Always look for the light to get in.
The Dark Door Opening by Penny Pepper | Together! 2012
Miss J called me a brain box. The other kids in class teased me about it, but I didn’t mind. Dad said I was clever, too, and I liked that. I was at Special School on the rural Hertfordshire side of the Chiltern Hills and overflowing with curiosity and nascent storytelling urges.
www.together2012.org.uk
January 30, 2026 at 6:20 PM
penpep.bsky.social
Despite what others anticipated was my fate as a disabled person, a 'useless eater', I've been blessed, and ultimately I will not allow hatred and horror to infect me or defuse my belief in knowing there are good people, everywhere.
January 30, 2026 at 2:40 PM
penpep.bsky.social
I've lived my life under threat, faced open revulsion & low, questionable expectations. In retaliation, I celebrate my life well lived, & hope you will join me in thinking about your own joyful moments.
www.together2012.org.uk/activities-p...
#fridayfollow #Neverforget #HMD2026 #DisabilityRights
The Dark Door Opening by Penny Pepper | Together! 2012
Miss J called me a brain box. The other kids in class teased me about it, but I didn’t mind. Dad said I was clever, too, and I liked that. I was at Special School on the rural Hertfordshire side of the Chiltern Hills and overflowing with curiosity and nascent storytelling urges.
www.together2012.org.uk
January 30, 2026 at 9:00 AM
penpep.bsky.social
@together2012cic.bsky.social ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿👩‍🦽‍➡️🌈
penpep.bsky.social Penny Pepper @penpep.bsky.social · 5d
Maybe this should come with a trigger warning. It's a reminder about the intentional killing of disabled people. Today is Holocaust Memorial Day and I was commissioned by Together 2012 to write this piece I’m proud of.
#HolocaustMemorialDay #DisabilityHistory #HMD2026 #RememberThePast #AktionT4
A photo of Penny taken by professional photographer JJ Waller recently. Sitting in front of a black background of white spots Penny has red brown wavy hair below her shoulders worn in a vintage 50s style with vintage style make up. She has a pink flower in her hair and stares directly at the camera with a half smile on her face. She wears a necklace which is a pair of mini red catseye glasses. The vibe is thoughtful.
January 27, 2026 at 7:10 PM
penpep.bsky.social
Thank you so much Natalya. It's good you found joy, it brings me my own! Outside of much fighting and attack... We will prevail 😘 because disability is part of the human experience, others need reminding ❤️
natalyad.bsky.social Natalya D @natalyad.bsky.social · 5d
Trying to avoid the news about so much which I can't change by reading more books.

This evening I reread @penpep.bsky.social's memoir 'First in the World Somewhere' which made me laugh as well as think about Disability Rights, Disabled joy and many late and living Disabled Comrades.
January 27, 2026 at 7:08 PM
penpep.bsky.social
Maybe this should come with a trigger warning. It's a reminder about the intentional killing of disabled people. Today is Holocaust Memorial Day and I was commissioned by Together 2012 to write this piece I’m proud of.
#HolocaustMemorialDay #DisabilityHistory #HMD2026 #RememberThePast #AktionT4
A photo of Penny taken by professional photographer JJ Waller recently. Sitting in front of a black background of white spots Penny has red brown wavy hair below her shoulders worn in a vintage 50s style with vintage style make up. She has a pink flower in her hair and stares directly at the camera with a half smile on her face. She wears a necklace which is a pair of mini red catseye glasses. The vibe is thoughtful.
January 27, 2026 at 5:08 PM
penpep.bsky.social
Gloomy sunset looming. Cheering myself up with this happy memory – first on the bill at the launch of the Hastings anthology, Poet Town, Sept 2025. Here’s me with my wonderful pal, the writer Jake Arnott, as my ever faithful page turner! Believe me, he does it perfectly. #writerlife #tuesdaythoughts
Image shows Penny sitting in a wheelchair. She wears a bright pink dress, with white flowers and a thin orange cardigan tied at the front. She has brown-red hair up in a high bun with a pinky headband. She wears a string of white pearls and an Egyptian cross, an Ankh, which is a cruciform shape with the upper half shaped as an oval. In front of Penny on a small tray is a wooden book rest. To her side on the left of the image is Jake. He’s wearing a stripy T-Shirt in muted orange and dark navy and beige trousers. He has short cropped hair. They are both smiling, in a bright room with people behind them and dark curtains to the left. The vibe is relaxed and happy.
January 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM
penpep.bsky.social
Thank you! I hope 2026 brings me more readers and juicy publishing contracts 🙂
ladycrazyttv.bsky.social Ladycrazyttv @ladycrazyttv.bsky.social · 15d
The way you describe the world holding its breath really resonates. What are you hoping 2026 brings, even in a small way?
January 17, 2026 at 9:22 PM
penpep.bsky.social
Saturday Caturday Haiku:
Dull games, letterings!
Dismissive she looks askance.
Yet, she's a beauty!
#catlady #writerlife #poem #haiku
A colourful lounge, with a pink orange wall, a barometer, a fabric wall hanging under house plant on a windowsill. On a table there's a black cat crouched down. She has green yellow eyes and is looking a little bit moody. In front of her is a Scrabble board with letters in a mess, a pen and paper.
January 17, 2026 at 8:56 PM
penpep.bsky.social
My health is wobbly & I remain in hermit mood. Here by the coast there's been torrential rain. Black ice - grumpy unhelpful weather. Still, I sense the world holding its breath. Sharing one of my 'babies'. Reminding myself of what I've done. Do share your plans and hopes for 2026. #writerlife
The image shows a copy of the hardback book of my memoir, First in the World Somewhere, published in 2017. It is a red cover with bright yellow lettering and white text. In the lower third there is a graphic of lips outlined in black. The text reads: a force of nature and a voice like no other… Brilliantly funny, brilliantly frank and brilliantly political - Liz Carr. First in the World somewhere. The true adventures of a scribbler, silent, sauce pot and pioneer. Penny Pepper.
January 16, 2026 at 9:00 PM
penpep.bsky.social
New year, gentle hopes. Today I'm in London. Earlier I was caught in a snow storm on Tottenham Court Road. A sudden shiver of snowflakes that coated me in my black teddy coat. If I hadn't been so cold I would have relished this magical moment. Living through the dark & light. #Writerlife #poet #icy
January 7, 2026 at 11:55 AM
penpep.bsky.social
The Penny Pepper tree is coming down now. Yes I always like to put my mark on the mid winter celebrations. But I like to be a bit ahead in knowing it's time to move on. Happy New year friends. What do you hope for the New year? #hny #2026 #writer #disabledwriter #poet #author #untoldstory
Against a pinky peach painted wall, my unique festive style tree is made up of skinny metallic pink branches with random baubles. There's also a cat popping out of a Christmas tree, a felt figure of frida Carlo, dressed in red with her signature mono brow, and black hair. The baubles are a mixture of shiny, ornate and handmade. Purples pinks golds, also some stars and gold suns. To the right on the wall behind the tree is a large green sprig of mistletoe with white berries. On the wall are small plates and placards of a decorative fifties feel nature.
December 28, 2025 at 2:39 PM
penpep.bsky.social
We've reached the final installment/last door to open on my DIY Advent Calendar!
I leave you with a little tale I hope you'll enjoy.. - Date in the Strand
buff.ly/9QCy3hk
#disabledwriter #shortstory #writerslife #adventcalendar
December 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
penpep.bsky.social
I'm loving all the amazing feedback and responses to my piece in The Bookseller @_thebookseller. Thank you everyone!
buff.ly/ARuI0i1
#disabledwriter #writerslife #thebookseller #disabledfiction
“Against this backdrop, I wrote and I wrote”
A look at the fight for the disability narrative in fiction.
tinyurl.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:55 AM
penpep.bsky.social
You know as a writer (and reader), I support this down to my marrow. I've written about our exclusion from literature so many times, most recently in The Bookseller and I'm exhausted. But still, the words keep coming. They must. @thebookseller.com @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social #untoldstories
davidcollard.bsky.social David Collard @davidcollard.bsky.social · Dec 6
If you see this please share (i.e. repost, not just like)! The Barbellion Prize is a unique award for writers with disabilities. We need to raise £20k to secure its future, so please make a donation, no matter how large, no matter how small, here: barbellionprize.org/donate/ Thank you!
donate | The Barbellion Prize
barbellionprize.org
December 21, 2025 at 9:24 AM
penpep.bsky.social
It's the next part of my DIY Advent Calendar!
It's a little teasy taster of my Desires Reborn 21st Anniversary edition - enjoy!
buff.ly/A4he70j
#writerslife #disabledwriter #eroticfiction
December 19, 2025 at 11:55 AM
penpep.bsky.social
UK Disability History Month is almost over. As the winter solstice draws close, here's some thoughts on my wintering. What do you do in these darker days? #writer #disabilityhistorymonth #storiestotell #whatnext #wintersolstice #longestnight #solstice
penpep.bsky.social Penny Pepper @penpep.bsky.social · Dec 18
"The moving towards the darkest time together and looking further to when the light returns."
In my latest Substack piece 'Lost in The Allure of Winter' I'm talking all things cosy, keeping out the cold and creaky houses.
Come and join me over there, I'd love you as as a subscriber
Lost in the Allure of Midwinter
And I don't think I'm alone
buff.ly
December 19, 2025 at 8:12 AM
penpep.bsky.social
"The moving towards the darkest time together and looking further to when the light returns."
In my latest Substack piece 'Lost in The Allure of Winter' I'm talking all things cosy, keeping out the cold and creaky houses.
Come and join me over there, I'd love you as as a subscriber
Lost in the Allure of Midwinter
And I don't think I'm alone
buff.ly
December 18, 2025 at 11:55 AM
penpep.bsky.social
Calling all Hastings locals...
Wednesday 17th December from 12.30pm to 4.00pm at the Hastings Museum.
As Event’s Coordinators, myself and Theresa Hodge, who runs Crafting Connections, invite you along for a fun friendly afternoon, as we celebrate of UK Disability History Month.
It's FREE too!
December 15, 2025 at 11:55 AM
penpep.bsky.social
My latest Substack piece is up!
Lost in the Allure of Winter - And I Don't Think I'm Alone
The darkening days seem to create an atmosphere of community, at least here by the sea, as nature makes itself the centre of attention.
#writerslife #midwinter #newsubstack
Lost in the Allure of Midwinter
And I don't think I'm alone
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 11:55 AM
penpep.bsky.social
Thank you for share. Even a new photo of actual me now up @thebookseller.com and thanks @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social UK Disability History Month on till 20th Dec. I'm (trying hard) to do an almost Penny Pepper advent calendar to links to my work out there.
dhhlitagency.bsky.social DHH Literary Agency @dhhlitagency.bsky.social · Dec 8
Honouring the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December by sharing @penpep.bsky.social’s powerful reflection on a lifetime of writing against the grain ✨

www.thebookseller.com/comment/copy...
“Against this backdrop, I wrote and I wrote”
A look at the fight for the disability narrative in fiction.
www.thebookseller.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:26 PM
penpep.bsky.social
I often get asked ‘why do we need disability history month? What’s it for?’ This reflects the wearisome concept that disability is something to be ‘cured’, rather than something embedded within human experience. One day, we may live in a society that does not keep creating barriers.
A women in a tartan dress with glasses and a yellow flower in her hair sits in a wheelchair. She is smiling. There is a logo that reads: UK Disability History Month, and a quote reading : Good Times!
December 5, 2025 at 11:55 AM
penpep.bsky.social
It's UN #internationaldayofdisabledpersons TODAY. And I'm beyond proud to be in @thebookseller.com yearning for a bookshelf with the disability narrative in fiction stacked high. My novels there too, naturally. Please share dear friends. #disabledwriter #untoldstory #royalliteraryfund
A screenshot from the bookseller magazine with a quote from a piece by author penny pepper. The graphic is dark turquoise with white font text. There are opening and closing very large quotation marks in white. In the centre over a faded out image of a young man in a wheelchair it reads: comment, literature is the poor cousin of other art forms in terms of disability, reflecting the slow and all too often profit-driven nature of the mainstream publishing world.
December 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
penpep.bsky.social
It's UN #internationaldayofdisabledpersons TODAY. And I'm beyond proud to be in @thebookseller.com yearning for a bookshelf with the disability narrative in fiction stacked high. My novels there, naturally. Please share dear friends. #disabledwriter #untoldstory #royalliteraryfund
thebookseller.com The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · Dec 3
Literature is the poor cousin of other art forms in terms of disability, reflecting the slow and all too often profit-driven nature of the mainstream publishing world, says Penny Pepper 👇 #BookSky
“Against this backdrop, I wrote and I wrote”
ebx.sh
December 3, 2025 at 6:23 PM
penpep.bsky.social
Today I share exciting news! In connection with the UN Day of Persons with Disabilities, I am beyond proud to share a commission that is in The Bookseller, telling the story of my life as a writer since the 80s and the barriers I've come up against. Enjoy!
buff.ly/p2irtgn
December 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM