Amanda Nicholson
@amanda-the-writer.bsky.social
Author, poet, copywriter, podcaster, and photographer. Love reading and country music.
Pinned
“As an autistic woman, I’ve ‘masked’ for most of my life – here’s why I regret it”
“I spent years trying to act ‘normal’ – even when it caused me pain and confusion.”
www.stylist.co.uk
I've had an article published in Stylist, which is behind a paywall, but it's also on MSN if you want to read it for free.
www.stylist.co.uk/health/menta...
www.msn.com/en-gb/health...
www.stylist.co.uk/health/menta...
www.msn.com/en-gb/health...
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/what-is-hi...
What is high functioning autism? And why it's not a helpful description.
What is high functioning autism? And why it's not a helpful description.
What is High Functioning Autism?
And why I find the term unhelpful
iamnotcalm.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/what-is-hi...
What is high functioning autism? And why it's not a helpful description.
What is high functioning autism? And why it's not a helpful description.
I’m Stepping Back from Things a Little
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
I’m Stepping Back from Things a Little
I’ll explain why
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:23 AM
I’m Stepping Back from Things a Little
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
Episode 16: Part 2
open.substack.com/pub/therevie...
The team talk about Gen V season 2 , Ghosts USA, I Swear, and Strictly Come Dancing.
open.substack.com/pub/therevie...
The team talk about Gen V season 2 , Ghosts USA, I Swear, and Strictly Come Dancing.
Episode 16: Part 2
Gen V, Ghosts USA, I Swear and Strictly Come Dancing.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Episode 16: Part 2
open.substack.com/pub/therevie...
The team talk about Gen V season 2 , Ghosts USA, I Swear, and Strictly Come Dancing.
open.substack.com/pub/therevie...
The team talk about Gen V season 2 , Ghosts USA, I Swear, and Strictly Come Dancing.
Sharing Some Positive News for a Change
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
A cute book written by a nine-year-old, with money from each sale going to autism charities.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
A cute book written by a nine-year-old, with money from each sale going to autism charities.
Sharing Some Positive News for a Change
And it’s not about me
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Sharing Some Positive News for a Change
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
A cute book written by a nine-year-old, with money from each sale going to autism charities.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
A cute book written by a nine-year-old, with money from each sale going to autism charities.
This week I talk about doubts about being autistic or ‘not autistic enough’, and how to find online autism support. I also give an update on my experience with Right to Choose.
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/autism-imp...
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/autism-imp...
Autism Imposter Syndrome, and Finding Online Support for Autism
And an update on my experience with Right to Choose
iamnotcalm.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:31 AM
This week I talk about doubts about being autistic or ‘not autistic enough’, and how to find online autism support. I also give an update on my experience with Right to Choose.
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/autism-imp...
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/autism-imp...
Episode 16: Part 1
open.substack.com/pub/therevie...
open.substack.com/pub/therevie...
Episode 16: Part 1
Doctor Who news, the conclusion of Dexter, War of the Worlds and much more.
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Episode 16: Part 1
open.substack.com/pub/therevie...
open.substack.com/pub/therevie...
I've been asked to ghostwrite a short book on autistic burnout and need quotes from people who have experienced this. What it feels like, but also what helps you and has worked for you to recover from autistic burnout, and how long it lasts/whether there were any warning signs, etc.
November 1, 2025 at 8:43 AM
I've been asked to ghostwrite a short book on autistic burnout and need quotes from people who have experienced this. What it feels like, but also what helps you and has worked for you to recover from autistic burnout, and how long it lasts/whether there were any warning signs, etc.
Seven Books to Read About Autism
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
Seven Books to Read About Autism
Some of my recommendations
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Seven Books to Read About Autism
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
Autism and Finding/Keeping Paid Work
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
This week, I talk about some of my own and other people’s experiences of finding work while being openly autistic, and the way employers undervalue autistic people.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
This week, I talk about some of my own and other people’s experiences of finding work while being openly autistic, and the way employers undervalue autistic people.
Autism and Finding/Keeping Paid Work
The challenges of job hunting when you're autistic
open.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Autism and Finding/Keeping Paid Work
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
This week, I talk about some of my own and other people’s experiences of finding work while being openly autistic, and the way employers undervalue autistic people.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
This week, I talk about some of my own and other people’s experiences of finding work while being openly autistic, and the way employers undervalue autistic people.
The Way Neurotypical People Talk About Autism
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
The Way Neurotypical People Talk About Autism
Just imagine if they spoke about other things in the same way.
open.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:17 AM
The Way Neurotypical People Talk About Autism
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
It's almost time for the release of "Beneath the Manchester Lights" on November 3rd. So, here's an extract.
youtu.be/YTy89_ffWqA
youtu.be/YTy89_ffWqA
An extract of Beneath the Manchester Lights (written under the pen name of Alicia Nicholls
YouTube video by Amanda Nicholson
youtu.be
October 20, 2025 at 10:29 AM
It's almost time for the release of "Beneath the Manchester Lights" on November 3rd. So, here's an extract.
youtu.be/YTy89_ffWqA
youtu.be/YTy89_ffWqA
I just found out that a poem I wrote about my dad eight years ago has been published by Hopezine.
hopezine.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/y...
hopezine.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/y...
Your First Christmas in Heaven
by Amanda Nicholson If there’s a heaven Tailor made to each of us You’ll be in yours Winding all the angels up With just one more Christmas decoration A light up Santa, or an inflatable…
hopezine.wordpress.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I just found out that a poem I wrote about my dad eight years ago has been published by Hopezine.
hopezine.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/y...
hopezine.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/y...
What is Stimming?
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
After mentioning stimming in one of my poems and on a recent episode of my podcast, I had a few people ask what it is. So, this article is for them, or anyone else who wants to know.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
After mentioning stimming in one of my poems and on a recent episode of my podcast, I had a few people ask what it is. So, this article is for them, or anyone else who wants to know.
What is Stimming?
A question I was asked recently
open.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:02 AM
What is Stimming?
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
After mentioning stimming in one of my poems and on a recent episode of my podcast, I had a few people ask what it is. So, this article is for them, or anyone else who wants to know.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
After mentioning stimming in one of my poems and on a recent episode of my podcast, I had a few people ask what it is. So, this article is for them, or anyone else who wants to know.
My experience so far of waiting for an adult autism assessment through Right to Choose.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
My Experiences so far of 'Right to Choose'
Erm...I'm still waiting
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:29 AM
My experience so far of waiting for an adult autism assessment through Right to Choose.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
Just a quick reminder that I am always looking for nonfiction articles about people's experiences of autism.
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/submissions-now-open
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/submissions-now-open
Submissions Now Open
I Am Not Calm is a safe space set up by Amanda Nicholson, for autistic people to share their experiences.
iamnotcalm.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Just a quick reminder that I am always looking for nonfiction articles about people's experiences of autism.
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/submissions-now-open
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/submissions-now-open
I Swear
A film review... And my first neurodivergent-friendly screening
thereviewcave.substack.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Music and Autism
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
This week, I talk about discovering the calming effects of classical music, and acceptable ways to stim at gigs without anyone noticing or caring.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
This week, I talk about discovering the calming effects of classical music, and acceptable ways to stim at gigs without anyone noticing or caring.
Music and Autism
Calming music and stimming at gigs
open.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Music and Autism
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
This week, I talk about discovering the calming effects of classical music, and acceptable ways to stim at gigs without anyone noticing or caring.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
This week, I talk about discovering the calming effects of classical music, and acceptable ways to stim at gigs without anyone noticing or caring.
New video on my Ko-fi page (for just £2) to help writers self-edit their manuscripts.
ko-fi.com/s/9601bbc073
ko-fi.com/s/9601bbc073
How to Self Edit Your Manuscript - AmandaSteelWriter's Ko-fi Shop
Editing your manuscript can be costly. The tips in this video won't replace what a professional editor can do, but they will reduce errors and improve...
ko-fi.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
New video on my Ko-fi page (for just £2) to help writers self-edit their manuscripts.
ko-fi.com/s/9601bbc073
ko-fi.com/s/9601bbc073
Avoid getting ripped off as a writer or for other creative work
Amanda and Andy talk about their experiences of people attempting to rip them off for their creative work.
The conversation also sways off topic to include a short rant about AI, which is always fun!
open.substack.com/pub/nowritew...
Amanda and Andy talk about their experiences of people attempting to rip them off for their creative work.
The conversation also sways off topic to include a short rant about AI, which is always fun!
open.substack.com/pub/nowritew...
Avoid getting ripped off as a writer or for other creative work
And going slightly off topic to rant about AI
open.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Avoid getting ripped off as a writer or for other creative work
Amanda and Andy talk about their experiences of people attempting to rip them off for their creative work.
The conversation also sways off topic to include a short rant about AI, which is always fun!
open.substack.com/pub/nowritew...
Amanda and Andy talk about their experiences of people attempting to rip them off for their creative work.
The conversation also sways off topic to include a short rant about AI, which is always fun!
open.substack.com/pub/nowritew...
An Interview with Eryn Anitavi: Author of If/Then: Neurodivergent Rulebook
This week, I talked to Eryn Anitavi about writing a book, and dealing with perimenopause and autistic burnout
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
This week, I talked to Eryn Anitavi about writing a book, and dealing with perimenopause and autistic burnout
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
An Interview with Eryn Anitavi: Author of If/Then: Neurodivergent Rulebook
Writing a book, and dealing with perimenopause and autistic burnout
open.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:40 AM
An Interview with Eryn Anitavi: Author of If/Then: Neurodivergent Rulebook
This week, I talked to Eryn Anitavi about writing a book, and dealing with perimenopause and autistic burnout
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
This week, I talked to Eryn Anitavi about writing a book, and dealing with perimenopause and autistic burnout
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
Special podcast episode to celebrate National Poetry Day on 2nd October. Thanks to Andy N, Courtney Ward and Joe Tetley, for sharing their poems.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
National Poetry Day Special
With contributions from autistic poets
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Special podcast episode to celebrate National Poetry Day on 2nd October. Thanks to Andy N, Courtney Ward and Joe Tetley, for sharing their poems.
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
My thoughts on Trump’s announcement about the cause of autism and what it means for autistic people. open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
My Thoughts on Trump’s Announcement About the Cause of Autism
And what it means for autistic people
open.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:11 AM
My thoughts on Trump’s announcement about the cause of autism and what it means for autistic people. open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
How to Get Rid of a Grady Hendrix Impersonator
And other book marketing scammers
open.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Do Employers Really Value Lived Experience?
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
Or is this just something they say and don't mean?
#Autism and the #workplace
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
Or is this just something they say and don't mean?
#Autism and the #workplace
Do Employers Really Value Lived Experience?
Or is this just something they say and don't mean?
open.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Do Employers Really Value Lived Experience?
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
Or is this just something they say and don't mean?
#Autism and the #workplace
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
Or is this just something they say and don't mean?
#Autism and the #workplace