Hutchinson Heinemann to publish 'wonderfully witty' memoir from Jackson

Hutchinson Heinemann has acquired world rights to See Me Rolling by writer, editor and disability activist Lottie Jackson. 

Elena Roberts, assistant editor, commissioned the book directly from the author after Jackson was selected for Penguin Random House’s WriteNow programme. The book will be published in hardback, e-book and audio on 1st June. 

The synopsis reads: “In this heartfelt, thought-provoking and often hilarious book, Lottie Jackson reflects on her experiences of living with disability: from the pitfalls of going shopping on a mobility scooter, and the headache of defining oneself on a tick-box form, to a slapstick scuffle with the so-called ‘easy-pull’ tights aid, and the intense pleasure of finally swapping a hospital gown for a slinky dress. Lottie captivatingly expresses the raw vulnerabilities, injustices and untold joys of disability as well as the bizarre everyday occurrences that able-bodied people usually don’t experience.

“See Me Rolling is an insightful and moving memoir but it is also a clarion call for greater diversity and inclusion. Disabled people are more than twice as likely to live in food poverty, be unemployed or experience domestic abuse and they are chronically under-represented in the workforce, in higher education and in the media. Throughout this book, Lottie demonstrates why we need to urgently examine the ways in which we undervalue and under-represent disabled people as well as tackle the negative perceptions that beset people with disabilities.“

Jackson said: “This is the book I wish I could have read. In eight personal essays, I explore what will be achieved when we expand our ideas of what constitutes a ‘normal’ body. Can we redefine our philosophy of beauty, freedom, identity, productivity, love and desire in a culture that demands physical perfection? I believe so. Drawing from my first-hand experiences, I sculpt a new space to share my vision for disability, full of nuance, humour and heady possibilities.

"My journey as an author began with 1,000 words for Penguin’s WriteNow mentorship scheme. From the outset, Elena and the team at Cornerstone have championed the rare spirit of this book—its playfulness, emotional cadence and political urgency. I’m incredibly excited to see my writing coming to bookshelves soon.”

Roberts said: “From the moment I read Lottie’s submission to the WriteNow programme I was captivated by her unique perspective and her joyful, urgent writing. See Me Rolling is a vibrant, provocative and very funny book and one I believe to be genuinely important. One of the most shocking things I learnt while editing this book is that one fifth of 18-34-year-olds would avoid talking to disabled people because they are unsure of how to communicate with them and, on top of that, 45% of the British public don’t even feel comfortable using the word ’disabled’. In other words, not only are we not talking about disability inequality enough but we are not talking to disabled people enough. I honestly believe that this book has the potential to confront limiting stereotypes and jump-start a much-needed conversation. I could not be more proud to be publishing this wonderful book.”