The title kinda tells you everything you need to know, but let’s take a little trip back in time. We’re going back to March 2020. The world was slowly becoming consumed by COVID-19. Meanwhile, I was in Japan. I’d arrived at the end of January and would eventually stay until the end of April. On March 14, I visited Kobe. Although visa-free travel (in other words, tourism) had not quite been suspended yet (that happened on March 21), the tourist hotspots were eerily deserted – a perfect excuse to hop on a train.
English translation
My first book, Maar je ziet er helemaal niet autistisch uit, had been on sale for almost a year, and I was increasingly being asked whether an English translation was coming. So during that stay in Japan, I secretly worked on one. A trailer video, a voice actress, a Kickstarter campaign… On March 14, I got the message that everything was ready to go live. From my hotel room in Kobe, I pressed the button.
Little did I know at the time, that Kickstarter campaign would become the first step towards my new life. The international success of But You Don’t Look Autistic at All played a significant role in making my move to Japan and my little office/apartment there possible.
Six years have passed since then. Autastisch leven is now my fourth book (and I also made a planner). Once again, many of you asked: “Will there be an English version?” So I took the train to Kobe. Booked the exact same hotel I stayed in six years ago. And while this time it’s not a Kickstarter campaign (those fees are no joke)… From my hotel room, I’m hereby declaring the pre-order campaign for Living Autistically officially open!
About Living Autistically
The world is designed for the average person, but if you’re autistic, things sometimes work a little differently. Fortunately, there are many other ways to do things. After all, who says you have to eat your main meal in the evening, live in the same house as your partner, or finish your education on someone else’s timeline?
Living Autistically is a book full of inspiration for autistic young adults and adults who want to build a life that works for them. It covers topics such as education, work, housing, relationships, friendships, leisure time, health, and your own body – all accompanied by practical tips and examples from autistic people who have shaped their lives in ways that allow them to thrive.
This book is the English version of Autastisch leven, originally published in Dutch in March 2026. Dutch readers said:
“A wonderful book. I couldn’t put it down. As an autistic person, I found it full of relatable experiences and valuable advice from people with lived experience. I really enjoy Bianca’s writing style, and just like her previous books, this one offers a strong sense of recognition and understanding.”
“The tips and experiences shared by others, presented through quotes and short personal stories, are incredibly helpful in finding your way as an autistic person and feeling less alone in the world (‘Oh, there are other people who experience this too, and this is one way to deal with it’).”
About the pre-order campaign
There are three tiers to choose from: a standard copy, a signed copy, or a copy with your name included in the acknowledgements. I’ll also be hosting a free webinar in English for everyone who pre-orders the book. And, as always, I’m getting help from professionals to make sure the book is the best it can be. One of them is native English speaker Fay MacCorquodale-Smith, who also worked on my first book.
This pre-order campaign is launching early. I don’t even have a cover yet, and the book is scheduled for release in April 2027. I still need to move my office and take care of a number of other things, and for once I’d like to avoid working myself into the ground. ;)
Pre-orders are incredibly important to me. Publishing a book, especially as an independent author, comes with a lot of upfront costs that have to be paid long before the book is released. In short: your pre-order makes a huge difference! And if you’re not ready to order just yet, you can still help by sharing this news with others. Yay!
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My new book Autastisch leven has officially launched!
Hooray, my new book Autastisch leven was officially released yesterday! The book launch last night at bookstore Broese in Utrecht was a big success, but before that…
Autastic fantastic
“Will your new book be available in English too?” many of you have asked. And yes, that’s definitely the plan! There’s just one small technical problem. Or maybe not. Either way, it’s been on my mind.
Life isn’t always that autastic
“You sleep a few days a week in your little office in Hachioji, right?”
– “Yeah, it works great for us!”
This is the story I tell in interviews, to friends, but also to myself. I give François space to watch his movies and make noise, while I decompress and calm down. So everything was going great. Right?
Easter egg
Did you know it’s better not to use song lyrics as an epigraph in a book? You’re usually allowed to quote small parts of a text – that’s called the right of quotation – but the quote has to serve a purpose, not just be there for decoration, which makes an epigraph a bit questionable. So when I wanted to include a line from a Taylor Swift song in Autastisch leven, and preferably not have Ms. Billionaire’s legal team come after me, I had to come up with a creative workaround. An easter egg, to stay in Swiftie terms.