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Amanda Nicholson

@amanda-the-writer.bsky.social
75 followers 56 following 108 posts

Author, poet, copywriter, podcaster, and photographer. Love reading and country music.

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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The podcast is back iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/before-and...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
Before and After Being Diagnosed as Autistic
With me (Amanda Nicholson) and my co-host, Claire Goodey
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
This week’s episode of ‘I Am Not Calm’ is now live. With Guest, Sammi Parkin, talking about her book, 'Cola Bottle Girl' iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/with-guest...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
With Guest, Sammi Parkin
Talking about her book, 'Cola Bottle Girl'
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
I spoke to Gray Rodgers about discovering and accepting their autism diagnosis, then going on to help other people. Trigger Warning: We talked about suicidal thoughts near the beginning of this podcast. iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/with-speci...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
With Guest, Gray Rodgers
From coming to terms with being autistic to helping others
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
I spoke to Courtney Ward and Lee McShane about AuDHD, creativity, and dealing with burnout, among other things. iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/courtney-w...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
Courtney Ward and Lee McShane
AUDHD, creativity, and dealing with burnout
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Two more poems for World Autism Acceptance Month, and National Poetry Writing Month Today I share one of my own poems, and a poem by Julia Webb. open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
Poems by Amanda Nicholson, and Julia Webb
For World Autism Acceptance Month, and National Poetry Writing Month
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Today’s poem is by Caroline Lisle. This is her first time taking part in something like this. #NationalPoetryWritingMonth #WorldAutismAcceptanceDay iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/girls-dive...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
Girls Diverging
A poem by Caroline Lisle
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
In an Autistic World, No Alarms Needed A poem by Courtney Ward. iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/in-an-auti...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
In an Autistic World, No Alarms Needed
A poem by Courtney Ward
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Another poem for World Autism Acceptance Month, and National Poetry Writing Month. Today’s poem is by Kerry Brooks. iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/seem-rites...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
Seam Rites (poem) by Kerry Brooks
Another poem for World Autism Acceptance Month, and National Poetry Writing Month
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Today I’m sharing poems by Amanda Crundall, and Jaymes Buckman to mark World Autism Acceptance Month, and National Poetry Writing Month. iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/poems-by-a...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
Poems by Amanda Crundall, and Jaymes Buckman
For World Autism Acceptance Month, and National Poetry Writing Month.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Continuing to mark National Poetry Writing Month, and World Autism Acceptance Month, I share a poem by Aysheh Marley. iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/what-my-au...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
What My Autism Means To Me (poem)
Marking National Poetry Writing Month, and World Autism Acceptance Month
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Today I share another poem for National Poetry Writing Month and World Autism Acceptance Month iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/another-poem
iamnotcalm.substack.com
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Today I share a poem by Caroline Carey, for National Poetry Writing Month and World Autism Acceptance Month iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/difference...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
Difference by Caroline Carey (poem)
More poetry for National Poetry Writing Month and Word Autism Acceptance Month.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Today, I’m sharing a poem by Mary Maier for National Poetry Writing Month, and World Autism Acceptance Month. iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/a-poem-by-...
open.substack.com
A poem by Mary Maier
For National Poetry Writing Month, and World Autism Acceptance Month
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Today, I share one of my own poems for National Poetry Writing Month and World Autism Acceptance Month. iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/what-unmas...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
What Unmasking Feels Like (poem)
For World Autism Acceptance Month and National Poetry Writing Month
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
I'm sharing poems all month on the podcast for World Autism Acceptance Month and National Poetry Writing Month. Here's the first one. iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/lee-mcshan...
iamnotcalm.substack.com
Lee McShane - You Don't Look Like It (poem)
Kicking off World Autism Acceptance Month, and National Poetry Writing Month
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
With Special Guest, Jaymes Buckman open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
With Special Guest, Jaymes Buckman
Autism, 'weirdness' and finding acceptance.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
With Special Guest, J. M. Shaw I talked to J. M. Shaw about her lifelong love of writing, discovering her neurodivergence, and self-acceptance. #Autism #podcast open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
With Special Guest, J. M. Shaw
AuDHD, writing as a special interest and sharing her stories
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Disclosing Your Autism or Not This week, I talk about when I regretted not mentioning my autism, getting rejected from a job - possibly because I disclosed, and (hopefully) finally finding regular freelance work and being accepted for who I am. open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
Disclosing Your Autism or Not
When applying for jobs and in daily conversations.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
With Special Guest, Corrie Hermans Corrie Hermans talks about AuDHD, Broadway and musicals, and growing up in a neurodivergent family open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
With Special Guest, Corrie Hermans
AuDHD, Broadway and musicals, and growing up in a neurodivergent family
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Episode 18 - Part 2 open.substack.com/pub/therevie... We talked about Stranger Things, Bone Temple, and Bridgerton.
open.substack.com
Episode 18 - Part 2
Stranger Things, Bone Temple, and Bridgerton.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca... #autism #poetry #music and #PrimalScreaming
open.substack.com
Poetry, Music and Screams
Sharing a poem I put to music with my distorted screams in the background
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
This week, I talk to Ivan Weiss. We discuss his late autism self-diagnosis and how the assessment process has potential flaws, as well as his special interest in photography and how he made this into a career. open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
With Special Guest, Ivan Weiss
Self-diagnosis, flaws in the assessment process, and creating a career from a special interest.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
A new submission call for poems open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca... A new submission call for poems. To celebrate World Autism Acceptance Month and National Poetry Writing Month in April. #poetry and #autism
open.substack.com
A new submission call for poems
To celebrate World Autism Acceptance Month and National Poetry Writing Month in April.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Podcasting and pushing my limits open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca... #autism and #podcasting
open.substack.com
Podcasting and pushing my limits
Learning what I can or can’t do
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
With special guest, Bethany Johns open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca... This week, I talk to my first ever guest, Bethany Johns. We cover a lot of ground, including her autism diagnosis at age 15, and her experiences of college, university and work.
open.substack.com
With special guest, Bethany Johns
My first ever guest on this podcast
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone and Trying New Things open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca... This week I talk about Burlesque, Scream Club and a new local autism/ADHD group.
open.substack.com
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone and Trying New Things
And embracing awkwardness
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Finding Work Hasn’t Changed Much Over the Decades open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
Finding Work Hasn’t Changed Much Over the Decades
Then and Now
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Autism and Suicide open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
Autism and Suicide
Trigger warnings: Talk about suicidal thoughts and attempts
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
The Podcast is coming Back open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca... After a short break, the podcast is coming back. Before that, I explain a little about how I create/record the podcast and why, and what to expect over the next few months.
open.substack.com
The Podcast is coming Back
And a short explanation of what to expect
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria and Autism open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria and Autism
Some random thoughts to start the new year
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
www.facebook.com/groups/23570... I've just set up a Facebook group as a safe space for myself and other autistic people to share our experiences.
facebook.com
Redirecting...
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Both parts of episode 17 are now on Substack, or wherever you prefer to listen to your podcasts. Warning: Both episodes contain strong language and/or discussion about explicit scenes. We talked about True Blood, The War Between the Land and Sea, Stranger Things... thereviewcave.substack.com
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Christmas and Autism open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
Christmas and Autism
The good, the bad, and the ugly Christmas jumpers?
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
I mask, but that doesn't mean I'm okay open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
I mask, but that doesn't mean I'm okay
Something neurotypicals should know
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
iamnotcalm.substack.com/p/what-is-hi... What is high functioning autism? And why it's not a helpful description.
iamnotcalm.substack.com
What is High Functioning Autism?
And why I find the term unhelpful
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
I’m Stepping Back from Things a Little open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
I’m Stepping Back from Things a Little
I’ll explain why
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
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
Episode 16: Part 2
Gen V, Ghosts USA, I Swear and Strictly Come Dancing.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
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
Sharing Some Positive News for a Change
And it’s not about me
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
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
Autism Imposter Syndrome, and Finding Online Support for Autism
And an update on my experience with Right to Choose
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Episode 16: Part 1 open.substack.com/pub/therevie...
open.substack.com
Episode 16: Part 1
Doctor Who news, the conclusion of Dexter, War of the Worlds and much more.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
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.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Seven Books to Read About Autism open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
Seven Books to Read About Autism
Some of my recommendations
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
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
Autism and Finding/Keeping Paid Work
The challenges of job hunting when you're autistic
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
ko-fi.com/s/2b1d56b95e
ko-fi.com
How to Upload Your Book on Draft2Digital - AmandaSteelWriter's Ko-fi Shop
A quick video showing authors how to upload their manuscript on Draft2Digital.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
The Way Neurotypical People Talk About Autism open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
The Way Neurotypical People Talk About Autism
Just imagine if they spoke about other things in the same way.
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
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
An extract of Beneath the Manchester Lights (written under the pen name of Alicia Nicholls
YouTube video by Amanda Nicholson
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
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
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…
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
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
What is Stimming?
A question I was asked recently
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
My experience so far of waiting for an adult autism assessment through Right to Choose. open.substack.com/pub/iamnotca...
open.substack.com
My Experiences so far of 'Right to Choose'
Erm...I'm still waiting
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Amanda Nicholson @amanda-the-writer.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
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
Submissions Now Open
I Am Not Calm is a safe space set up by Amanda Nicholson, for autistic people to share their experiences.
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