Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far I have two book published, a third will be out this month and the next two in this series are in various stages of the editing process.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Kids with autism in all of its flavors are my passion. Autism Belongs is about the child of an immigrant family. Manny is not like other children. He doesn’t talk. He doesn’t leave the house. His parents desperately try to arrange their world so that Manny does not get upset. Because, when he does, well, the aggression was getting worse. Too many times Tomas had to leave work to rescue his wife from the havoc of their son’s meltdowns. At ten, Manny was becoming difficult to handle.
Passing by a bakery made all the difference. There, they met people who understand autism, along with its strengths and challenges. They learn ways to help Manny communicate and socialize and to have his needs met. Dare they consider letting him go to school?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a sprinter. My best work is done during NaNoWriMo, that crazy month when hundreds of thousands of writers attempt to write a 50,000 first draft during November.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King’s On Writing.
What are you working on now?
The third book in this series, Autism Runs Away will be published later this spring. Many kids on the autism spectrum become overwhelmed and flee. Autism Runs Away is about one such child and a mom terrified for his safety.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth. Great reviews seemed to happen spontaneously with my first book. Of course, winning a B.R.A.G. Medallion award certainly didn’t hurt.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep plugging. Don’t wait for that elusive muse.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Sit down and write whether you feel like it or not.
What are you reading now?
Hope Clark’s Murder on Edisto.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the edits on Autism Talks and Talks, the Autism Grows Up. Then, on to the next first draft, hopefully during this November’s NaNoWriMo.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
On Writing, Gone with the Wind and hmmm. Are you sure I can only take three? What about if I just take my Kindle? It’s smaller than a paperback…. Please?
Author Websites and Profiles
Dr. Sharon Mitchell Website
Dr. Sharon Mitchell Amazon Profile
Dr. Sharon Mitchell Author Profile on Smashwords
Dr. Sharon Mitchell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile