ORIGIN
Inspired by the author’s childhood and her magical son, this fantasy novel began as 2500-word short story competition entry to highlight the contributions neurodiverse people make to society.
Nicholas would do anything for a tight group of friends. But his classmates don’t understand him, and to make matters worse, middle school is where his personality determines what magical creature he’ll grow into. It’s irreversible, and there’s a hierarchy. Nicholas’s art teacher is a beloved Griffin and his principal a powerful, but despised Goblin. Nicholas, whose brain floods with feelings faster than he can control them… Well, Nicholas is headed for permanent outcast status as a Banshee, and time is running out to change his fate.
Able to summon drawings to life, Nicholas draws himself a friend to practice on. But when that backfires, he copes by drawing a demon, which he accidentally sets loose in yet another inadvertent transgression.
When the demon captures his favorite teacher, the one adult who sees Nicholas as powerful instead of broken, Nicholas must learn to love himself enough to stand up, stand out, and face the demon. If he can’t, his teacher will be gone, the demon will stay, and Nicholas will become the Banshee everyone predicted.
I’m an autistic and ADHD writer, former middle-school teacher, and mom to an autistic middle-schooler. Even though we have more knowledge and awareness of neurodiversity, the accommodations neurotypical society makes seem like “neurotypical savior syndrome.” They’re designed to help us overcome our brains, rather than value the difference and brilliance within them. In fact, research suggests a neurodiverse child will have endured 20,000 more microaggressions by the time they’re 12 than their neurotypical peers. Yet when allowed to be ourselves, we thrive. That’s why PAPER MONSTERS pairs two misunderstood autistic characters from different parts of the spectrum learning to find the magic hidden within themselves.
FEEDBACK
“The way you reimagine autism as a magic power is emotionally moving and compelling. The character of Nicholas is well drawn and the conflict he faces is clear. I could see this piece as a beloved children’s book.”
NYC Midnight Judge
The Magic of Yet (Now Paper Monsters)