Neurodiversity and success in life, with author Alina Bellchambers

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with author Alina Bellchambers.Alina grew up in her family’s bookstore and spent a childhood immersed in fantastical worlds. She now writes twisty thrillers and epic fantasies featuring morally grey characters, seductive court intrigue and powerful heroines.  The first book in her fantasy duology, The Order of Masks, published in 2024  became a national Dymocks and indie bookstore bestseller. It was followed by The Weight of Crowns in 2025.Alina has a degree in psychology and is fascinated by neurodivergence, having been diagnosed as autistic herself. Most recently she acted in Hilltop Hoods’ music video The Gift and acclaimed horror film Bring Her Back. Listen in to our chat on - Her Autistic experience, not diagnosed until she was 29yrs oldWriting as a form of therapy and how she has managed her lifestyle after being diagnosed as autistic to better facilitate my neurological differences. The experience of Aphantasia - a condition where she can’t see in mental pictures -  and how that impacts her writingAnd so much more.You can connect with Alina and purchase her books via - The Order of Masks and The Weight of Crowns are an epic fantasy duology, with dangerous enemies-to-lovers romance, deadly politics and a war to change the fate of empires. They are traditionally published in Australia and the UK and come in paperback, hardcover, ebook and audiobook formats.To purchase, you can go to my books page on my website: https://www.alinabellchambers.com/books, google the names of my books or head straight to the Pan Macmillan page for Australian purchases: https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761560149/ Or connect with Alina via her social channels - https://www.instagram.com/alinabellwriteshttps://www.tiktok.com/@alinabellwriteshttps://www.threads.com/@alinabellwriteshttps://www.facebook.com/alina.bellchambershttps://x.com/AlinaBellWritesLiked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).IIf you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.