This Book Is Short: A Toolkit For Creative Adhders

This book is short. It is also…

-Easy to read
-Packed with techniques you can use to harness your creativity and be more productive, whatever your field
-Ideal for anyone with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or related tendencies, as well as those who work with or support neurodivergent people
-Written by someone who struggles to get to the end of a book, but didn't let that stand in his way

It's full of tips and strategies to help you plan effectively, find your focus, and fulfil your creative ambitions.

Each section is clearly and accessibly structured, with useful suggestions for putting everything into practice, and handy 'flick pages' to refer to when you're facing a specific problem.

There's essential insider advice on dealing with the challenges thrown at you by the creative sector, such as networking, collaborating with others or applying for funding.

And there's invaluable guidance on broader issues such as finding a good 'survival job', accessing the support you need at work, and advocating for yourself in your personal networks. 

Tom Ryalls is a writer and cultural organiser, working on fundraising and strategy with disabled artists and disability arts organisations. He was named on the Disability Power 100 list in 2024 as one of the ten most influential people working in the performing arts, television and radio.

He has written work for theatres across the country, including HOME in Manchester, Stratford East, the Barbican, Shoreditch Town Hall, the Royal Court Theatre, and Cast in Doncaster. He created The Black Hole project, a series of shows exploring how art might engage with epilepsy; the first show in the series, Can You See into a Black Hole?, was toured nationally, published, and performed outdoors in Covent Garden.

He is a founding trustee of Unlimited, a member of the London Area Council of ACE, and the Deputy Chair of their Disability Advisory Committee. In 2025 he became a Clore Fellow and the Chair of Graeae Theatre Company.

He is the author of This Book is Short: A Toolkit for Creative ADHDers (Nick Hern Books, 2026).