I know this struggle well, both as a parent and as a kid with their own trauma stories. Books have always been my way to make sense of life’s unpredictability. Even before I became an author, storytelling has always been about building worlds where the unusual was celebrated. I devoured science fiction and fantasy novels, from The Hobbit to Harry Potter, Ender's Game to Red Rising to He Who Fights With Monsters.  Books that championed the underdog while being filled with magic and wonder. And as great as many of these stories are for exploring the unexpected hero’s journey, rarely did I see kids who thought like me or like the kids I now raise.

As a parent, I’ve spent years crafting stories for my kids, weaving magic, history, and intricate worlds around their bedtime routines, long car rides, and moments when they just needed a little escape. Our family also has a nightly dinner tradition of asking 'The Question of the Day,' a simple and fun conversation starter that sparks creative thinking around the table.  Late in 2024, one of the questions took root in my brain and wouldn't let go: "What would you do if magic became real?" I couldn't let go of amazing ideas for how the world would transform, both physically in the world around us and in how we live our daily lives.

With a thousand ideas rushing about my head, I began to sketch ideas into my notebook. Those sketches turned into story prompts, which evolved into the Spectralux: Convergence short stories. One story line began to grow into something more. Characters were born, the world took shape, and the main story line of Spectralux came to life.

 The critical connective tissue between these stories (besides a magical transformation of Earth): Kids who don’t fit the typical hero mold.

The stereotype of ‘normal kids’ is ever changing and evolving, as both the makeup of our neighborhoods and understanding of the scientific community grows and expands. The CDC now estimates that 1 in 36 kids are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. ADHD impacts the lives of 10% of elementary aged students. Other neurological syndromes, such as Depression or General Anxiety Disorder, are affecting thousands of kids per year in the US alone.

Media in general has failed to keep up, especially for adolescent programming. Rarely are neurodivergent characters the star of books, tv shows, movies, or video games. A token side character? Maybe. But not the hero who saves the day and gains the respect of their peers.

Adult media has shifted in recent years to provide a broader representation in literature.  The explosion of independent publishing has allowed hyper-niche subgenres and new communities to spring up online, oftentimes providing avenues for underrepresented values and characters to gain a following.  This has been the case in the Literary Role-Playing-Game (LitRPG) and Progression fantasy genres in adult publishing, but the trickle down to Middle Grade or Young Adult content has been slow.

As parents of kids who might behave a little differently, whose brains are wired in an atypical manner, and whose lived experiences likely involve more blood tests, brain tests, and doctor visits than their classmates, we understand the need for our kids to be seen. At the same time, educators are looking for books that engage reluctant readers who would rather escape to a video game than pick up a novel. The myriad of Minecraft related books and graphic novels that have been published over the last decade, and their near constant backlog of holds at my local library, is proof that kids are hungry for LitRPG styled content.

My own child was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder in 2023, and earlier this year we built upon his neurolodivergent complexities with a dual PANS/PANDAS and Tick Borne Illness diagnosis, which present with ADHD and OCD ticks alongside a varied slate of symptoms.  His evolving medical history has opened our eyes to the wide world of conditions that kids across the world face every day. Watching my son struggling with his condition and find comfort in reading has further cemented the need for strong representation of neurodivergent heroes in the stories he reads.

Representation isn’t just about fairness; it’s about survival. Whether kids have social anxiety or ADHD like Penn,  ASD like Cate, or are just dealing with growing pains of growing up, they deserve to be seen. When kids never hear about heroes like themselves, they can start to believe they don’t belong in the story at all. But when they can identify with the characters on the page and they are engaged with a story through mechanics that make sense, like a video game reality set in LitRPG Fantasy, they can start to see themselves as champions of change.

I chose to write Spectralux as a way to share stories in a way that makes sense to kids who may think a little differently in a setting that feeds their creative spark. My hope is that combining these elements can help kids everywhere find a roadmap for resilience, a way to navigate challenges, process emotions, and see themselves as capable heroes in their own stories. They don’t need to change who or what they are. What makes them different and unique isn’t a negative. It can be their own magical super power. 

If you’re a parent, teacher, or librarian, I encourage you to put Journey to Bastion and books like it into young readers’ hands. The stories we give our children shape the way they see themselves. And every child deserves to see that their difference is their strength.