Despite making up about 25 percent of the U.S. population and 15 percent of the world population, disabled and neurodivergent voices are often excluded from mainstream media. Or if they are included, it’s specifically for themed months or timely topics that will bring more attention to the subject…at least until it’s not trendy anymore.

Having space for marginalized voices is essential. Navigating the world with a disability can be tough, and without a sense of community, it’s a lonely place. That’s why having specific spaces for disability-centered dialogue and art should be a top priority. These are just a few publications for disabled and neurodivergent voices.

Keep checking back for updates and additions. (Last updated on 7/6/2025.)

Wordgathering

With support from Syracuse University, Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature is available as an Open Access and digital publication. Issues are released quarterly and all submissions are free. Their primary approach is a “cross-disabilities” method, acknowledging the wide lens of disability experiences. While they love poetry, they also take prose and nonfiction entries as well. Wordgathering asks that you query before sending book reviews or interviews.

See their submission guidelines here.

Highlighted Neurodivergent & Disabled Life (HNDL)

HNDL is based in the US Midwest, but takes submissions worldwide! HNDL doesn’t have an official website beyond a standard homepage (yet). Instead, they have a Linktree with links to submission forms for upcoming issues and links to Heyzine flip books for previous issues. Get access to their Linktree and more through their Instagram (@hndl_mag).

The Cognitive Review

The Cognitive Review focuses on mental health. You may submit poetry, prose and art through the Google Form on their submissions page. Keep an eye out on their Instagram page for updates!

The Handy, Uncapped Pen

Both a blog and a great hub for disability-related resources, the Handy, Uncapped Pen accepts submissions of poetry and prose. They require that all submissions be from those who identify as disabled or neurodivergent. The Handy, Uncapped Pen has two reading periods a year: February 1st through April 30th and August 1st through October 31st. They also love list-based articles, but don’t get enough of them.

Maybe this is your chance to write a brilliant round-up of books? No matter what you submit, they pay $3 for accepted submissions.

See their submission guidelines here.

Monstering Mag (CURRENTLY ON HIATUS)

What sets apart Monstering Magazine is that they focus on those who are both disabled and experience gender-oppression (women, non-binary, agender, gender-nonconforming, transgender, and gender-expansive people). They take poetry, prose, and art submissions that honor their mission of loving and embracing the idea of the monster or the unknowable, often coded as disabled voices throughout media and history.

My piece “Rating Suggested Cures for My Various Chronic and Mental Conditions” was published in 2021!

See their submission guidelines here.

Blanket Sea

Both a nonprofit magazine and small press, Blanket Sea prioritizes work by those who are chronically or mentally ill, including neurodivergent and disabled voices. Blanket Sea was founded by Alana Saltz and all of the editors have personal experiences with chronic or mental illness. Along with their rolling poetry, art, and prose posts, their microchap series chooses several manuscripts to publish as free ebooks with the option of donations.

The site offers all of its content for free, but is willing to take donations through their Ko-Fi to help offset the cost of running the site.

See their submission guidelines here.

Wishbone Words

A brand new magazine launched in 2021, Wishbone Words was founded by Hollie Warren and was designed to amplify disabled and chronically ill writers. Their goal to achieve more compassion and understanding in the world, and with the affordable price point, you can enjoy poetry, prose, and other arts from writers around the world.

See their submission guidelines here.

Sick Magazine

Based out of the United Kingdom and the state of Maine, SICK aims to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes of those who are chronically ill or disabled. They accept essays, features, visual art, poetry, and other media. They also accept submissions from those whose conditions are considered in remission. Payments are made in GBP, so please anticipate this if you are located outside of the EU.

See there submission guidelines here.

Disabled Tales

Have a love of folklore, but not for the ableist discourse that usually comes with the territory? Disabled Tales aims to change the narrative on disabled characters in traditional folklore and fairy tales through critical essays, fiction, and poetry. The project is partnering with The Folklore Library and Archive to preserve work submitted to the site. Submissions are open to everyone, but disabled and neurodivergent voices are especially encouraged to submit.

Read submission guidelines here.

Chronically Lit

With a mission to publish “the best personal essays, interviews, and reviews by and about people with chronic illness,” Chronically Lit does not accept stories by stakeholders such as medical professionals, parents, friends, or other people adjacent to the chronic illness experience. While they previously published art and poetry, they have shifted to a focus on nonfiction instead.

Submit book reviews, personal essays, and interviews here.

Flare Magazine

FLARE, named after the “flare-ups” many people with chronic conditions experience, is a newer magazine dedicated specifically to publishing art by chronically ill and disabled creators. You do not need to disclose your condition to submit. They accept poetry, prose, and artwork. At this time, they do not accept book reviews.

Their full submission period schedule with themes and deadlines is posted on their Instagram (@flarelitmag) as well as their website.

Defunct publications

Serotonin

Note: I submitted poetry back in 2021 and never received a response, even when urged to follow-up on Twitter. It seems that as of 2025, they are defunct.

Focused on mostly poetry and short prose on mental illness, neurodivergence, and suicide prevention, Serotonin welcomes work from these perspectives. Their masthead is run by those who also identify with one of the three topics. All of their work is posted online.

Submissions should include up to three poems (up to 20 lines each) or one piece of prose under 500 words. Authors are paid $5 per piece. Donations are welcome to help support their mission with their Tip Jar option.

See their submission guidelines here.