Okay, so never mind the fact that I’ve never birthed a child of my own. I still believe—and have had confirmation from a human who has given birth twice—that editing anthologies is like being preggers.

At the beginning, it’s this wonderful announcement, and you feel like puking a little (from hoping people will respond to your call for submissions). Then as the stories come in, you start to glow and feel so excited. It gets a little backbreaking to choose from the slush pile, and by the time the preparation for the Kickstarter comes in, you want to scream: GET IT OUT ALREADY!

But as sure as I know I love cake, I bet as soon as I hold the anthology in my hands, I’ll say, “Let’s make another one!”

I’m probably the luckiest Spoonie editor in the world, though. Truly. My best friend Talia Johnson is my co-editor, and the most amazing publisher in the world (Renaissance) has taken on Nothing Without Us. Nathan Fréchette, Talia, and I are some kind of power trio who really get each other and share a vision for this anthology. But the biggest delight has been the authors themselves. I am constantly humbled by their talent and so grateful they exist. What’s an anthology without authors who are passionate about the theme?

And Nothing Without Us is something. Own-voice stories starring protagonists who identify as disabled, Deaf, neurodiverse, and/or who manage mental illness. Characters like us are not on the sidelines or are not being crafted by people who have no idea who we are. These characters are the stars of the show, created by us and for us, yet important for everyone to read!

The entire month of April 2019 will be our Kickstarter. I saw the intro video and even in its rough state, I trembled with excitement.

Minds will be blown by this anthology. Disclaimer: We are not responsible for anyone’s minds being blown. The stories are awesome. Deal with it.

But yeah, it’s more work than I ever expected. Yet, it’s absolutely a labour of love! Get it? Labour? Huh? Huh?

I’ll see myself out.

Cait Gordon is a disability advocate and the author of Life in the ’Cosm and The Stealth Lovers (Fall of 2019). When she’s not writing, Cait’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. She’s also teamed up with co-editor Talia C. Johnson on the Nothing Without Us anthology (Fall of 2019.)