Celebrating the Launch of Two Neurodivergent Authors in Canberra
In a room filled with warmth, art, and quiet pride, the recent local launch of two extraordinary books by young neurodivergent authors, Logan Altman and Nat Bannerman, became more than just a celebration. It was a statement of hope. From the very start, it was clear: this was a space built on inclusion, creativity, and radical love.
Deb, the host and one of the champions behind the event, welcomed everyone with honesty and heart. She explained how the event was born out of a simple truth, there are not enough visible opportunities for young people like Nat and Logan, who are neurodivergent and bursting with untapped potential.
Instead of waiting for a door to open, they built their own and invited the community in.
The Daydream Machine and the Power of Space
Luke Ferguson, founder of the beloved Daydream Machine and former youth worker, took to the mic next. Luke’s gentle voice and powerful stories painted a picture of what happens when creative, safe spaces are made for young people to thrive. He spoke of how programs at the Daydream Machine, which blends art, music, and mentorship, have become a magnet for neurodivergent youth. Not because they were advertised that way, but because word spread: this is a place where you’re seen.
Luke first met Logan and Nat years ago. Back then, he says, they were quietly figuring out who they were, often doing background work like helping design graphics for school events. That’s where their talent began to shine. In these enabling environments, Nat’s illustrations and Logan’s storytelling slowly bloomed into something powerful.
What stood out in Luke’s speech wasn’t just the achievements, though those were many, from students gaining national recognition to building self-confidence, but his insistence on belief.
“You just have to believe in young people,” he said. “And then get out of their way.”
Logan Altman: History, Identity, and the Power of Words
Logan Altman, soft-spoken but full of conviction, stood next to share her journey. Her historical novel, Sydney’s Convicts, might seem at first glance like a standard story from the past. But as Logan read a moving excerpt aloud, the room fell still. Her voice carried the weight of those early convicts, displaced, judged, and trying to make sense of their identity in a strange land. And it became clear this was no ordinary historical fiction.
The novel blends Logan’s research into her own ancestry with a deep understanding of what it feels like to be misunderstood. In the Q&A that followed, Logan revealed she was first inspired to write by a chance encounter with an audiobook. What began as curiosity became passion and eventually, purpose.
She described visiting historical sites to feel the places her characters might have walked, and how writing allowed her to channel complex emotional experiences into something structured and meaningful.
“Being neurodivergent doesn’t make research harder,” Logan said with a smile. “It just means you go very deep.”
Nat Bannerman: From Challenge to Children’s Book Author
Next up was Nat Bannerman, whose book You Can’t Rush Friendships has already started making its way into the hearts of children and adults alike. Introduced by longtime advocate Patricia Belfiore and supported by Deb, Nat’s story was one of gentle triumph. After experiencing bullying and exclusion, Nat found strength in art, storytelling, and the unwavering love of their family.
Their book, bright, playful, and illustrated by Nat themselves, grew from what was originally a family challenge. Could they write and illustrate a story from scratch? They not only did, but learned the entire process of self-publishing along the way, including revisions, market stalls, and distribution strategies.
The audience was treated to a reading by Liam, a fellow neurodivergent author and rising star in his own right. His expressive voice gave the characters life, and when he finished, there was a beat of silence before enthusiastic applause. Nat later shared the inspiration behind the book’s characters, each a blend of imagined traits and real people in their life and even gave a teaser of their next book, Kindness Over Rudeness (which, you heard about here first). The message was clear: this isn’t a one-off. This is a growing series, and Nat is just getting started.
Pride, Radical Love, and the Power of Community
The timing of the event was no accident, it took place during Disability Pride Month. Emma Davidson, shared a powerful reflection on “Radical Love” a practice of deep listening, unconditional care, and valuing all bodies and minds exactly as they are.
“This is more than celebration,” Emma said. “It’s a revolution in kindness.”
Throughout the event, this idea of radical love kept coming up. In how Deb stood beside Nat. In Luke’s stories of his students’ triumphs. In the way Liam cheered for his fellow authors. In the students who volunteered to help with logistics and social media, creating a seamless, professional event with heart at its centre.
Patricia, too, reminded the room that support isn’t just about cheering from the sidelines. It’s about clearing barriers, pushing for visibility, and recognising the brilliance in difference.
“Too often, the stories we hear about neurodivergent youth are deficit-based,” she said. “But look at this. This is what happens when you lead with belief and community.”
What You Can Do Next
By the end of the event, there was an energy in the room, a soft but firm resolve to keep this movement going. The launch wasn’t just about two books; it was about creating space, building futures, and reminding us that everyone has a story worth telling.
Here’s how you can help:
Buy and share the books: Look for Sydney’s Convicts by Logan Altman and You Can’t Rush Friendships by Nat Bannerman online.
Ask your school or local library to stock these books. Representation matters, and these are the kinds of stories that make other young people feel seen.
Support inclusive creative spaces like Daydream Machine. Donations, partnerships, or simply sharing their work helps them grow.
In Their Words, In Our Hearts
As the event wrapped up, there was no rush to leave. People lingered, buying books, taking photos with the authors, and exchanging contact details. Kids hugged Nat. Parents wiped away quiet tears. Logan signed a book for everyone who asked.
And perhaps that’s the truest measure of success, not just books on a shelf, but hearts stirred, minds opened, and futures changed.
In the end, it wasn’t just about Logan and Nat, though they were, rightfully, the stars of the day. It was about what happens when a community shows up. When people believe in each other’s magic. When we celebrate every mind and body with dignity and joy.
In other words, it was about radical love.
