How I write – in conversation with Khairani Barokka

In this disability-focused How I Write, literary agent Abi Fellows will speak to author Khairani Barokka (Okka) about her experiences of being a disabled author and how she navigates the publishing industry, from writing and deadlines to publicity and events.

Abi will add the agent’s perspective, sharing her experiences of agenting for disabled authors.

They will cover contracts, access requirements, what and when to tell the different people within the publishing process and how an access requirement form can make the process easier. You can find out more about access forms and download the SoA’s access form template here.

The discussion will be of particular interest to disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent authors, as well as the industry professionals who work with them.

This event is in conjunction with our Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network (ADCI). The ADCI aims to increase understanding, inclusion and accessibility within publishing. The session will help advance the conversation around what to expect, what to ask for, and how the industry can improve.

This event will have BSL interpretation provided by Ali Gordon

#SoAatHome in conversation events – free for all + donation

All donations made go towards the Society of Authors’ Access Fund. The fund is to help provide authors with support for travel, subsistence, childcare or access needs for events, residencies, and retreats. If you would like to make a donation with your booking, please do so when registering for the event below.

Programme

• Welcome, introductions and housekeeping from Abi Fellows (3 mins)
• Introductions to Khairani Barokka, and a glimpse into her creative routine (30 mins)
• Q&A with audience (15 mins)
• Summary and closing comments (2 mins)
• This event will be moderated by Elsa Woodmeade – Local Groups Manager & ADCI coordinator, SoA

Send us your questions

If you would like to send questions in advance, email EWoodmeade@societyofauthors.org with ‘Khairani Barokka – Question’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.

About the Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network (ADCI)

This member-led peer support network aims to break feelings of isolation by connecting authors facing common experiences, in an online community that offers continuing professional and personal support.

The network’s primary aim is to offer a friendly and supportive space where you can feel safe to ask questions, share experiences, offer advice, and make new connections.

To join or to take part in the specific activities below email us

The Line-up

Khairani Barokka

Khairani Barokka is a writer, editor, translator and artist from Jakarta, whose work has been published and presented widely internationally, and centres disability justice as anticolonial praxis, and access as translation. In 2023, Okka was shortlisted for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards.

Among her honours, Okka has been a UNFPA Indonesian Young Leader Driving Social Change, the first non-British Associate Artist at the UK’s National Centre for Writing, an Artforum Must-See, and Modern Poetry in Translation’s first Poet-in-Residence, and later, first Editor of colour. Okka’s books include Indigenous Species (Tilted Axis), Rope (Nine Arches), the Saboteur Award-nominated Stairs and Whispers: D/deaf and Disabled Poets Write Back (Nine Arches), Ultimatum Orangutan (Nine Arches), shortlisted for the Barbellion Prize, Annah, Infinite (Tilted Axis) and amuk (Nine Arches).

Abi Fellows

Abi Fellows has broad experience in the industry, having started in bookselling at Blackwell’s in 2001 following her BA in English Literature at Bristol University. After a stint on the sales team of Faber and Faber and a return to education to complete an MA in modernism and postmodernism at University College London, Abi began her agenting career with Georgina Capel Associates in 2004. Abi then moved into literary scouting at RR Ltd, working with overseas publishers and TV and film production companies in the UK. In 2019 she returned to agenting at The Good Literary Agency, building a list focused on amplifying and championing writers from backgrounds that had often been marginalised. 

In 2023, Abi joined DHH Literary Agency and that year was shortlisted for Literary Agent of the Year at the British Book Awards.

Abi also has experience as a school governor with particular involvement in the schools literacy programmes and their work with children who have special educational needs and are disabled. She currently sits on the board of New Writing South, having joined as a Trustee in 2023, and is part of the Steering Group of the Coast is Queer Festival and the Advisory Group for the Forthwrite Festival. She is also a mentor with Just Like Us.

Accessibility

• Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript, to watch with subtitles

• This event will have BSL interpretation provided by Ali Gordon

Booking

Please either use the form titled ‘Register – no donation’ or the option of the different ticket options with a donation amount depending on how much you would like to donate towards the Society of Authors Access Fund.