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Strong Female Character : Nero Book Awards Winner - Fern Brady

Strong Female Character

Nero Book Awards Winner

By: Fern Brady

Paperback | 15 September 2026 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback


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Available: 15th September 2026

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Strong Female Character is a game-changing memoir on sexism and neurodiversity.

NERO BOOK AWARDS WINNER 2023

WINNER, NON FICTION BOOK 2023, BOOKS ARE MY BAG AWARDS

SHORTLIST, BOOKSHOP.ORG INDIE CHAMPIONS

SHORTLIST, AMAZON NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR

SHORTLIST, GOODREADS CHOICE BOOK OF THE YEAR

Audible Books of the Year 2023

The Times Books of the Year 2023

Apple Best Audiobooks of 2023

BOOKSHOP.ORG Book of the Month January 2024

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

'I tore through this hilarious, smart, sad, revealing book' - Bob Odenkirk

'Funny, sharp and has incredible clarity' - Jon Ronson

'An absolute riot. I'm literally going to read it again once I've finished, and I'm a miserable bastard...it's a belter' - FRANKIE BOYLE

'Strong Female Character is a testament to the importance of self-knowledge.' - Rachael Healy, The Guardian


A summary of my book:

1. I'm diagnosed with autism 20 years after telling a doctor I had it.

2. My terrible Catholic childhood: I hate my parents etc.

3. My friendship with an elderly man who runs the corner shop and is definitely not trying to groom me. I get groomed.

4. Homelessness.

5. Stripping.

6. More stripping but with more nervous breakdowns.

7. I hate everyone at uni and live with a psycho etc.

8. REDACTED as too spicy.

9. After everyone tells me I don't look autistic, I try to cure my autism and get addicted to Xanax.

10. REDACTED as too embarrassing.

About the Author

Fern Brady is a woman. She is also autistic. She was born in Scotland (no, not Glasgow). She has no presets for being a 'good woman' - she never hated her body or indulged in messy millennial shame. She now lives out of wedlock in London. She has zero children.

Fern's caustic wit, exceptional writing and electric stage craft has made her one of the UK's hottest comedy stars. As seen on Live from the BBC, Live from the Comedy Store, The Russell Howard Hour, and Live at the Apollo. She's had viral success with her BBC Life Lessons and supported Frankie Boyle and Katherine Ryan on tour. She can currently be seen on Taskmaster on Channel 4.
Industry Reviews
An absolute riot. I'm literally going to read it again once I've finished, and I'm a miserable bastard...it's a belter

Of course it's funny - it's Fern Brady - but this book is also deeply moving and eye-opening

It made me laugh out loud and broke my heart and made me weep...I hope absolutely everyone reads this, and it makes them kinder and more curious about the way we all live

Glorious. Frank but nuanced, a memoir that doesn't sacrifice voice or self-awareness. And it has brilliant things to say about being autistic and being funny

Fern is a brilliant, beautiful writer with a unique voice and even more unique story. Astute, honest and very, very funny.

So funny and brilliant

Fern Brady's book is alive in your hands. Brave doesn't cover it and I'm not sure what will. Fizzing with intelligence, it will hit you in the heart, lungs and liver. You'll laugh, cry, be still and if you're not autistic - by god you'll learn. If you are autistic you'll be seen, heard, held, rocked and loved here. A set text for all of us in 2023 - DEBORAH FRANCES-WHITE

Strong Female Character is a testament to the importance of self-knowledge. Fern Brady is a natural and engaging writer, weaving bleak episodes with moments of pure comedy as she re-appraises crucial moments in her life through the lens of her autism diagnosis. Brutal honesty and a talent for storytelling combine to make an insightful memoir that's not only very funny, but will no doubt provide invaluable moments of recognition for many readers. - RACHAEL HEALY, The Guardian

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