Abigail Balfe

Abigail Balfe is a queer neurodivergent author and illustrator based in Brighton, UK, represented by Emily Talbot at United Agents Ltd.12 She identifies as autistic and ADHD (auDHD) and has gained recognition for her work in children's literature and creative production.13

Career Highlights

Author and Illustrator:: Balfe's debut middle-grade illustrated children's book, "A Different Sort of Normal," was published by Puffin/Penguin Random House as their lead non-fiction debut of 2021.1 This book, which tells her real-life story of growing up autistic and undiagnosed, received critical acclaim:

• Shortlisted for Children's Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the 2022 British Book Awards
• Longlisted for Best Book with Facts at the Blue Peter Books Awards 2021

Creative Producer:: Balfe is also an Emmy award-winning creative producer.1 She worked in TV & Entertainment from 2011 to 2023, creating social media marketing campaigns for major clients like One Direction, Little Mix, and Netflix.1

Education and Skills

Balfe is a graduate of Cambridge School of Art's MA Children's Book Illustration program.1 She works with both digital and traditional media, focusing on bright colors, pattern design, and limited color pencil drawings.1 Her creative approach often involves exploring the relationship between text and image, and she has even designed her own fonts.1

Additional Roles and Interests

• Reiki Master, offering distance healing sessions
• Musician and composer (she composed the piano soundtrack for the audiobook version of "A Different Sort of Normal")
• Public speaker on autism, neurodiversity, and disability inclusion in publishing and entertainment1

Abigail Balfe has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women in 2023.4 Her LinkedIn username is indeed abigailbalfe, where she shares more about her professional journey and achievements.2