Good Morning, Blake: Growing Up Autistic and Being Okay received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Blake “Crash” Priddle.
Name of book and published date:
Good Morning, Blake: Growing Up Autistic and Being Okay; October 2021.
What’s the book’s first line?
Three words changed my life.
What’s the book about – give us the pitch.
From nonverbal to radio announcer…I chronicle the good, bad and ugly growing up autistic. What makes my memoir unique is I included the voices of over fifty people who shared stories and tips in an effort to inspire all of us to be kind towards and inclusive of those, like me, who march to the beat of a different drum.
What inspired you to write the book?
My parents encouraged me to share my life story from being nonverbal as a little kid and struggling to communicate and manage my mental health challenges to becoming a professional broadcaster.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
I feel that others on the spectrum, their families and those in their lives like teachers, might find comfort in many familiar issues autistic people face. Some may be inspired from reading what I’ve gone through, survived and thrived. Readers who have little or no experience about autism (besides Rain Man or the Good Doctor), will gain compassion for folks that are ‘different’.
When did you first decide to become an author?
In 2017, I began to journal some of my life experiences and as it began to take shape I added others’ voices – presto a memoir was born!
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes!
What do you do for work when you are not writing?
I am a fulltime news reporter and radio announcer, living in northern Canada.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Weekdays are tied up with work so my weekends are for relaxing and being creative – I’m presently experimenting with different writing forms like short stories and screenplays.
What is the best and hardest part of being an Indie?
Best part: Having a final say in the style and content of my memoir as well as the publishing process not taking very long compared to traditional publishing.
Hardest part: Getting my memoir into bricks and mortar bookstores.
What’s a great piece of advice you can share with fellow indie authors?
Budget for a great, objective editor to make substantive changes which will bring your book to the next level. Seek out experienced authors and hear their secrets to writing and publishing.
Q 12. Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I’m not sure! Having an assisted self-publisher meant I paid upfront for the services but I love that I had creative control over my final content. But I’d never say no!
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
What motivates me is the thought of being recognized for my hard work at actually getting a book written (be it on social media or from readers who reach out to tell me how they felt from reading my book). Knowing that sharing my life experience with others might help them also is motivating.
Which writer, living or dead, do you admire most?
Stuart McLean – for his love of storytelling and good sense of humour.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
We’re Amazing 1,2,3! A Story About Friendship and Autism (Sesame Street); Author Leslie Kimmelman; (2017); Random House Children’s Book.