Elle McNicoll, author of 'Unapologetic Love Story' - Carnegie Award nominated writer discusses making your book stand out, the importance of representation, and being full-time whilst never having time to write

In this episode of Writer's Routine, host Dan Simpson sits down with Elle McNichol, a four-time Carnegie Award-nominated author and best-selling writer of children's fiction, now making her debut in adult literature with 'Unapologetic Love Story.' Elle discusses her unique journey into publishing—pitching her first novel not through traditional queries, but by presenting a data-driven report on the lack of neurodivergent representation in children's books to a small publisher, who then offered her a contract. She shares her writing process, including her 'Wikipedia cheat sheet' method for plotting, her preference for Microsoft Word and physical notebooks, and her disciplined daily word count goal of 1,000 words. A key theme is the tension between being a full-time author and the reality that she often has almost no time to write due to constant events, media appearances, and promotional demands. Elle also opens up about how her autism shapes her work—both as a strength in deep focus and concentration, and a challenge in public-facing roles. She emphasizes the importance of authentic representation, especially for autistic women, and how her own experiences with misrepresentation in literature fueled her desire to write honest, nuanced stories. The episode concludes with insights into her new adult novel, inspired by real-life school visits and media junkets, and her vision for future work that explores neurodivergence through more coded, subtle storytelling. Elle’s story is a powerful testament to the value of authenticity, the quiet revolution of underrepresented voices, and the emotional labor behind the scenes of a successful writing career. Her candid reflections on mental health, social media’s impact on creativity, and the need to protect creative space offer practical and deeply human advice for writers. The episode underscores that great writing often comes not from perfection, but from persistence, honesty, and the courage to write stories that only you can tell—especially when they’re about being unapologetically yourself.