I wrote a YA book

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Hello all,

I'm new here, and I have a younger brother with Asperger's Syndrome. I have ADHD myself. Anyway, I write young adult books and recently finished a novel about a 16-year-old girl with AS. One problem I'm running into is agents saying that, while it's a good and publishable book, my MC does not seem 'autistic' enough. And it's nearly impossible to explain the diversity of symptoms people have. I also think that Autism has been unfairly stereotyped in the media, and that is why I wrote the book. The problem is--people expect to see something more obvious. Like the Rain Man. But my character attends regular classes at a regular public school (as many with AS do), she's passionate about music, and most of all she's trying to figure out just what 'normal' means. She watches people a lot, trying to figure out what's appropriate and what's not. But she's also hyper aware of things because she's been told so many times that there is something 'wrong' with her. When in reality, she perceives things differently.

Anyway, I really like this site. And it's interesting to see how many people share my brother's frustration--as well as mine!

I hate people like that.

Welcome to WP!

The people who tell your character that there is "something wrong" with her don't have a clue, and some of them do it to be mean.

Welcome to guitargrrl, could you tell us a litle more about the book please?
Like what is it going to be called, who is it intended for and so on. Sounds really interesting.

It sounds like we need more media coverage of people like that. We're not all flaminingly obvious autistic. Some of us even appear normal most of the time and people are surprised of even skeptical of our diagnosis. No matter what we may seem like to others, though, our minds are always autistic.

Actually, I think there are some characters in film and television who fit this description, but they are never described as autistic. Several of the characters on Bones, for example, are so aspie i just crack up watching it. AS is never mentioned, though, and I think its great that your book is mentioning it. The public needs a broader view of the entire spectrum. I think a novel is a great way to approach this because you can decribe not only the character's behavior, but also let readers know whats going on inside her head. I'm interested to know when this might be published.

Thank you for the welcomes and responses I'm working hard to find the book a home, and I'll let you know if I have any luck.

If you're curious about the book, feel free to check out the synopsis and first chapter of Harmonic Feedback on my website. But I'm not allowed to post a link just yet. So, you can check out my profile for the address if you'd like.

And I really do hope more movies and books get into the mainstream. One of you said you write--keep at it. I would love to read a first person book written from someone who really does have AS. I think more people need to be aware of the range out there. And also--that it simply is a different way of thinking. At least that's how I see it, but then again I have two family members and a couple friends with AS.

Also, I agree about Bones. In fact, I always said--Bones and Zach have so many AS qualities. It's awesome

You seem like you really do like asperger's. I want to right a book too. I just have trouble with the ideas. I just have so many, I can't get them to paper. My minds to quick. Good luck with the establishment.

I haven't looked at your website yet, but I will when I have the chance. I'm glad to see a book which shows the diversity of the spectrum. I've read books like "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" and "Wild Orchids", and both of them made AS/autism pretty obvious. I know some people are like that, but I feel like those of us who are "less obvious" aren't really represented. I've though about writing some kind of piece about my own experiences, but I worry people won't believe I'm really AS. Heck, I got into an argument on a board last week about whether Liane Holliday Wiley (author of "Pretending to Be Normal") was "really" AS. It's frustrating.