Name: Jacinta Read
Pronouns: she/her
Neurodivergence: Autistic. ADHD.
Professional Role: Artist. Writer.
Bio: Having lived in Hong Kong, Australia, England, and the US, Jacinta Read is a mixed-race artist, published writer, and educator with an international outlook. With grades firmly in the C+/B- territory, Jacinta surprised everyone including herself when she earned her Ph.D. in creative writing from Goldsmiths, University of London. After completing her post-doc position, she went on to teach in community settings, schools, and universities, as well as in the charity sector with Oxfordshire Recovery College.
Jacinta has been the official artist for Star Institute of Sensory Processing’s #sensoryawareness month for the past three years. After graduating from the first cohort, Jacinta is now involved in PopUp Project UK's Pathways Into Children’s Publishing program as a member of their advisory committee, instructor, and mentor. She is also a founding Director of Handmade Hong Kong, one of Asia’s largest indie art & craft markets. Last but not least, Jacinta is on the preaching team at her local Christian church in Pasadena, Southern California.
A self-proclaimed imperfectionist, Jacinta proudly identifies as a Struggler. Her late diagnosis of autism and ADHD came as a great relief (and at least partial) explanation for the challenges she faced growing up. She is passionate about encouraging others to embrace both their strengths and struggles in order to carve out a life that works. Her professional interests revolve around storytelling, creativity, education, and neurodiversity. Having said that, she finds it hard to decline a new challenge, so don’t be shy about asking!
Jacinta has been the official artist for Star Institute of Sensory Processing’s #sensoryawareness month for the past three years. After graduating from the first cohort, Jacinta is now involved in PopUp Project UK's Pathways Into Children’s Publishing program as a member of their advisory committee, instructor, and mentor. She is also a founding Director of Handmade Hong Kong, one of Asia’s largest indie art & craft markets. Last but not least, Jacinta is on the preaching team at her local Christian church in Pasadena, Southern California.
A self-proclaimed imperfectionist, Jacinta proudly identifies as a Struggler. Her late diagnosis of autism and ADHD came as a great relief (and at least partial) explanation for the challenges she faced growing up. She is passionate about encouraging others to embrace both their strengths and struggles in order to carve out a life that works. Her professional interests revolve around storytelling, creativity, education, and neurodiversity. Having said that, she finds it hard to decline a new challenge, so don’t be shy about asking!
Recent Publications: Illustration: In Her Element; Creative Nonfiction: Patchwork Someone: A Memoir; Academic article; Faith article.
Website: www.jacintaread.com
Twitter: @jacintaread
Instagram: @jacintaread
Facebook: Jacinta Read Writer/Illustrator
Location: California, USA and Oxford, UK
Available for Virtual Sessions: YES
Available for In-Person Sessions: POSSIBLY
Available to Travel: YES. I am currently based in LA, California for most of the calendar year. I return home to Oxford, UK for a few weeks during summer holidays. I also have ties to Hong Kong and Australia. Schedule permitting, I am happy to travel at the expense of the organiser.
Speaking Topics Include: Autism; ADHD; PDA; Eating Disorders; Self harm; Learning; 2E; Dyspraxia; Mental illness; Creativity.
Suitable Audiences Include: School-aged children; Teens; Adults; Academics; Educators; Faith communities.
Speaker Experience: I have varied experience that includes speaking at online and in-person events, classes, lectures and workshops. I have spoken to primary school-aged students about books and art; teens about substance abuse, creative writing, art, and faith; and, adults in higher education, charity classes, the forensic unit of a mental hospital, and in churches. My sessions can include live art demos.
Book This Speaker: Via email: [email protected]; Literary Agent, Don Pape: https://papecommons.com
