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Book Launch: Dear Blind Lady by Elsa Sjunneson
Past event
Featured Book
Dear Blind Lady: Disability Advice You Didn't Know You Needed
"Dear Prudence" meets Reddit's Am I the Assh*le? but for the disability community: finally, all the questions you've always wanted to ask about living a disabled life, but shouldn't have (or have asked, but we wish you hadn't).
The go-to unfiltered resource for navigating questions disabled and non-disabled people have about relationships, social spaces, life milestones, and all the awkward, funny, terrible, heartwarming moments in between.
Deafblind author and disability rights activist Elsa Sjunneson answers questions nondisabled people are afraid to ask, and disabled people are tired of answering, perfect for fans of the advice column format and all its messy truth telling.
Beyond just the Q&A, you'll find:
sample dating app profiles scripts and sample language you can steal ableist bingo cards you'll never want to win
Sitting at the cross section of Alice Wong's Disability Visibility and Emily Ladau's Demystifying Disability, this is your one-size-fits-all resource for navigating a world steeped in ableism.
Discover how to navigate:
Bad dates Worse dates Weddings Parenthood Microaggressions WTF moments
Plus the practical:
Whether/how to offer assistance to a blind person (and how to turn it down politely) How to throw a baby shower for a disabled mom-to-be How to handle when a comedian makes fun of your disability on stage
With any luck, one day a book like this does not need to exist.
This book will be available for purchase at the event.
About This Event
Join us to celebrate the launch of Elsa Sjunneson's Dear Blind Lady: Disability Advice You Didn't Know You Needed. Sjunneson will be in conversation with Why Fish Don't Exist author, Lulu Miller.
An unfiltered disability advice book answering the awkward, honest, and often complicated questions disabled and nondisabled people encounter in everyday life.
In Dear Blind Lady, Deafblind author and disability rights activist Elsa Sjunneson delivers candid, funny, and practical guidance in an advice-column format. Written for disabled readers, allies, friends, family members, coworkers, and anyone who wants to build a more accessible and respectful world, this book tackles the questions nondisabled people may be afraid to ask—and disabled people are tired of answering.
Inside, you’ll find:
Straightforward answers about disability, relationships, social situations, and major life milestones
Practical scripts and sample language for handling uncomfortable or unfamiliar conversations
Real-world guidance on offering assistance, declining help politely, and responding to ableism
Advice for complicated moments, from bad dates and weddings to parenting and public encounters
Creative extras, including sample dating profiles and ableist bingo cards you’ll never want to win
Featured Authors
Lulu Miller
Lulu Miller is the cohost of Radiolab, host of the kids podcast Terrestrials, and author of the bestselling book Why Fish Don’t Exist.
Elsa Sjunneson
Elsa Sjunneson is an award-winning Deafblind author, editor and journalist. Her debut nonfiction book, Being Seen: One Deafblind Woman’s Fight to End Ableism won the Washington State Book Award. Sjunneson has also won three Hugo Awards for writing and editing, an Aurora Award and a British Fantasy Award. She has been nominated for Hugo Awards nine times during her twelve-year writing career. Elsa has worked with Radiolab on the episode “The Helen Keller Exorcism.” PBS American Masters also launched a seven-minute documentary about Sjunneson. She has spent more than twenty years to fighting ableism everywhere from public schools to Congressional offices. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband, three children, and a Welsh Corgi.
About the Venue
Booked
Booked is an independent bookstore located at 506 Main St. in Evanston, Illinois, that carries a diverse selection of books for children and adults. In fact, it is our favorite independent bookstore, but we are biased, because we own it. We host author events, story times, book clubs, crafting events, birthday parties, just-because parties, and more.
Visit store pageMore at Booked
Booked Club for Grown-Ups
Booked Club reads contemporary, literary fiction and nonfiction from a diverse range of authors. Booked owners Abby and Betsy host Booked Club on the third Wednesday of the month (most months!) at 7:00pm at Booked. Bringing snacks and beverages to share is always encouraged but never required. Questions? Email abby@bookedevanston.com.
Dumpster Fire Book Club
THE HORRORS PERSIST, but so do we! Dumpster Fire Book Club welcomes adults and teens (12+) every other month to read dystopian fiction, led by Betsy! We love imagining a better world through imagining just how bleak it can get first! Email betsy@bookedevanston.com if you have any questions!
Sunday Smut Book Club
Special! Join us for the last Sunday Smut book club of the year! We'll of course trade thoughts on the book, but we will additionally share treats potluck style, and talk about our favorite reads of 2026! Bookseller Alicia hosts our Sunday Smut Book Club on the last Sunday of the month (most months!) at 3:30pm. Sunday Smut reads are the latest in romance novels with a range of subgenres, sexual and gender identities, and spice levels. Questions? Email alicia@bookedevanston.com.