Welcome to the very first spotlight in The Love List, a bi-weekly series dedicated to shining a light on authors with disabilities.
I’m so excited to feature Mariah as the very first author in The Love List! I first met Mariah at a book convention in 2024, back when I was just beginning to fall deeper into the reading world. It was one of the first times I thought, “Oh… authors like us exist. Our stories exist.” Her honesty, humor, and creativity shine through her answers, and I hope her spotlight inspires other authors and readers alike.
If you’re comfortable, could you share a bit about your disability?
I have Fibromyalgia / POTS / OCD / Autism / Dyslexia / Meibomian Gland Dysfunction / and a few other things because my body likes to catch disabilities like Pokémon lol!”
Why did you start writing?
Witing has always been an escape for me and a place of hope, a place where I write the rules and anything is possible.
How do you come up with your story ideas?
All kinds of ways: dreams, people watching, spite. (Relatable.)
How have you found ways to keep doing what you love, even on the harder days when your disability makes it feel impossible?
Most of the time I try to rest on the hard days. I work ‘bounce days’ into my deadline schedule so I know I have flexibility time if I have a hard day and cannot write.”
Which of your story feels the most like a love letter to your younger self?
Perfect Imperfections
Top three characters you’ve written that you would want to date?
All of them. (Valid.)
But if you have to choose?
Zane from Accidentally Dating the Enemy Millie from Head Over Heels in Love Dyson from The Dating Dilemma
What do you hope readers get/feel from your books?
I hope they come away knowing that they deserve and are worthy of love just as they are.
This is just the beginning — every other week, I’ll be highlighting another amazing author with disabilities, giving their voices the space and visibility they deserve.
Go show Mariah some love at @mariahankenman and stay tuned for the next feature!