Press.
To find all the latest news and press about Kay Kerr and her work, have a read of the list below.
Bio.
Kay Kerr is an autistic author and journalist from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Her latest book, Love & Autism, is out with Pan Macmillan now. Her debut novel Please Don’t Hug Me (2020) was shortlisted for Book of the Year for Older Children at the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) in 2021, and listed as a ‘Notable Book’ by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA). Her second YA novel, Social Queue, was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards and was a CBCA Notable book as well. New York Times best-selling novelist Helen Hoang called it “A perceptive, honest, and warmly captivating romantic comedy that touched my heart.”
Kay’s freelance writing has appeared in The Guardian, SBS Voices, Daily Life, Lunch Lady, POPSUGAR, Broadsheet, and Peppermint Magazine, amongst others. She writes about autistic representation, disability, parenting, pop culture, gardening, and feelings.
Kay lives with her family on the Sunshine Coast/Kabi Kabi Country.
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Press.
Better Words Podcast
Kay spoke to Caitlin and Michelle about her career as a newspaper journalist, how her autism diagnosis influenced her writing, the catharsis of writing about high school and launching a book in a pandemic.
The Drum
Kay was on ABC’s The Drum and later spoke with Elly Duncan for a deeper dive into the need for diverse autism representation in books and pop culture.
Kay Kerr on The First Time Podcast
Kay spoke to Katherine Collette for The First Time Podcast about Own Voices, pandemics, and the joys of waiting.
KYD's First Book Club
Please Don’t Hug Me was the May pick for Kill Your Darling’s First Book Club. This included a review from Ellen Cregan and a chat for the KYD podcast. Kay also took part in the KYD Shelf Reflection interview.
Readings: Kay Kerr reflects on autism & writing
Kay wrote a post for the Readings blog, where she highlighted three things she learned from getting an autism diagnosis.
Feeling Seen: Kay Kerr for Books + Publishing
Read the Books + Publishing interview where Kay talked about what it was like getting an autism diagnosis, epistolary novels, feeling ‘seen’ and vulnerability. B+P also featured a review by Charlotte Guest.
Ten Terrifying Questions with Booktopia
Read Ten Terrifying Questions with Booktopia, in which Kay talked about autism, fairies, her emo phase, crap pay in journalism, Hannah Gadsby, #LoveOzYA and advice for aspiring writers.
ABC Radio with Rhianna Patrick
Listen to Kay’s interview with Rhianna Patrick at ABC Radio about the process of writing Please Don’t Hug Me.
LoveOzYA: OzAuthorsOnline Event with Kay Kerr
Sydney Writers Festival
Anna Whateley interviewed Kay for the Sydney Writers’ Festival Podcast series.
Booktopia: Staff Favourite
Please Don’t Hug Me was a Staff Favourite pick for April with Booktopia.
Final Draft on 2ser
Kay spoke to Andrew Pople who hosts Final Draft on 2ser about writing, representation and a love of books.
Autistic Pride Readathon: Autistic Author Q&A with Kay Kerr!
Read Kay’s interview with The Bookish Bex as part of the Autistic Pride Readathon about autistic rep—the good and not so good.
Amaze interview with Young Adult #OwnVoices author Kay Kerr
Autistic writer Clem Bastow and Kay exchanged letters (well, emails) as a little nod to Please Don’t Hug Me for Amaze.