Inside the Mind - Sonia D. Hebdon

My children. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and earned a degree in Literary and Communication Studies to pursue a career as a radio journalist. But life got in the way; I met my husband and started a family. When my daughter was 9, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and my son was diagnosed at age 3. So, I had to switch into soldier mom mode to work with therapists to ensure my children would have a better quality of life. For the next 20 years, I prioritized my children’s health and home-schooled them to support their therapy programs. “The Crazy Mother’s Guide to Raising Exceptional Children. An Aussie Mum’s First-Hand Experience Parenting Children Who Have Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dissociative Identity Disorder.” Released in January, this unique large print book, the size of a textbook, is a survival guide for parenting, addressing complex issues like suicidal ideation, depression, bullying, and many others. This book is unique as it combines strategies to handle challenging situations with both disorders. Having a teen who is autistic and has multiple personalities is unique. To my knowledge, there are no other books like this that share personal examples of strange situations as a parent to a teen with alters, how to handle this, and issues caused by ASD. My friends on social media would know I had a bad day when I would say, “Well, it was a circus day.” Or, “It’s time for me to run away and join the circus.” A Morse code to close friends that I needed to download and share my bizarre day. Hence, the Circus theme was adopted to market the book. This survival guide is a mix of humorous, heartbreaking, and informative moments, written with my heart poured out onto the page. This book is truly unique and special. My daughter’s specialists suggested writing this guide as a form of therapy and a resource to support other parents going through similar experiences. Our children are now doing well, and my faith—so vital on this journey—provided me a large window of time to revisit the notes I’ve taken over the years and begin writing again. It’s been a year, and I now see myself as a non-profit author committed to creating work solely for children with disabilities. My books are priced to cover my costs, not to generate a profit. I focus not on rankings or monthly sales but on writing for people with disabilities who are often overlooked by the publishing industry. All my books are in large print, with at least 16-point font, smaller paragraphs, illustrations, and plenty of white space. Kids with ASD and ADHD find it easier to read and absorb information if the text is large print. I am on a journey of personal discovery, aiming to make a difference because I know firsthand what it’s like to have children with special needs. I understand what it’s like as a parent—feeling emotionally drained, crying alone in the bathroom after a tough day of bullying, or experiencing the sting of judgment from other parents in a supermarket over sensory issues. I have published three early reader books, specifically designed for children who have recently been diagnosed with a disability, encouraging them to see themselves as superheroes rather than children with disabilities. All my work focuses on children with disabilities and emphasizes the importance of promoting acceptance for families with children with special needs.

YA “Sincerely Yours… Written in the Stars and Inked in Destiny!” Book 1 of the Haven Cove series. (CLEAN FICTION-LARGE PRINT) This haunting story explores the theme of what is real. Considering we have AI, it was a perfect time to examine concepts of reality. As a writer, what happens when a manuscript is finished? Do the characters come to life? For some readers, they do, especially those eager for the next installment. But what if a writer dies before completing their work? Do the characters stay in limbo? I had a heartbreaking conversation a couple of years ago with one of my teen’s alters who asked me this question: Am I real? Why don’t I have my own body? I cried with her as I held her. Alters never age, and for a mom of alter children, it's a challenge as a writer to explore this theme in relation to the author creating unique worlds and storylines through their own writing. Are these fantasy worlds created in some way real? Set in Haven Cove in 1989, Josie Worthington is a rebellious, alternative 17-year-old dreaming of escape. She loves alternative English music and shopping at thrift stores. But when strange events start happening after she begins writing a local advice column, she discovers her words are doing more than just influencing minds—they’re shaping reality through an antique typewriter. As supernatural forces draw closer, Josie must choose between safety and the truth, with help from Blaine Cordwell, the enigmatic son of a rock star, to survive what’s ahead. "Sincerely Yours…Written In The Stars And Inked In Destiny!" blends the vibe of Stranger Things and Pretty In Pink. Inspired by 80s alternative music, reflecting my goth days in college, I wanted the main characters to be outsiders. These teens struggle with identity, acceptance, and issues of faith, grief, and love. It becomes a love story written in the stars and carved on Josie’s heart. Combining supernatural mystery with nostalgic 80s energy, this empowering coming-of-age story, "Sincerely Yours," is ideal for fans of "Stranger Things," “Pretty In Pink,” “Paper Girls," and "To All the Boys I've Loved Before." “Sincerely Yours” is more than just a story—it’s an experience. It features a clever mix of 80s alternative and mainstream music. At the start, you’ll see Josie's Mix Tape, curated by Blaine. All the songs mentioned are included, so you can listen to the 80s music that shaped a generation. Plus, explore Josie and Blaine's world with original 1980s-inspired tracks I collaborated on with New Wave Multimedia, now on my YouTube channel. Step back into the 80s and immerse yourself in Josie and Blaine’s world. Think of it as a modern Nancy Drew, blending paranormal romance and mystery, with iconic 80s songs woven throughout the story. "Sincerely Yours…Written In The Stars And Inked In Destiny!” is the charming first book in a supernatural YA series that explores the magic of words, the music of the soul, and the power of embracing one's true self.

My characters are inspired by a mix of traits from various people I have known over the years. Depending on the story I focus on, the children’s books draw from my own experiences as a parent. “Sincerely Yours” is my personal love letter to my husband, who is my faith-filled rebel, and it was a gift given to him for our 27th wedding anniversary. Blaine’s character is loosely based on my husband, and Josie has some of my own quirks added to her personality.

A typical writing day is filled with insanity! Our family is the Aussie version of The Addams Family, so there is always something strange happening in our household. I usually get up really early to write before anyone gets up, and then late at night. I have very demanding rescue pets, three cats and one dog, who are my writing companions, sitting on my keyboard and deleting paragraphs of written text.

Holding a paperback copy of The Crazy Mother’s Guide to Raising Exceptional Children brought me to tears of happiness because I finally had it in my hands. Seeing it finished and taking on a life of its own was incredibly rewarding, as it represented our family’s personal journey now written down to help other families. To be entirely in control of the stories shared and the way the book is set out is a bonus of being an Indie author. I spent an entire weekend with the book displayed on my dressing table so I could see it and remember how far our family has come over the years. It was an enriching and unforgettable experience.

The biggest challenge is trying to tell who is real and who isn’t. I find this ironic, considering this is the theme in Sincerely Yours…Written In The Stars And Inked In Destiny! My inbox is flooded with messages from fake authors and marketing agents trying to get me to part with money for scams. I’ve been told this happens often, but it’s frustrating because now I immediately question whether every email I receive is legitimate.

Yes, I do! I love working with Canva for marketing and designing visual promotions for my books. Also, I find Grammarly to be a lifesaver because I use it in the final stages after making several edits myself and with my husband. Grammarly is usually my last check for grammar issues before I submit the book for publication.

What advice would you give to new or aspiring indie authors? Tread cautiously and be wary of anyone online offering grand plans for your writing career in exchange for your hard-earned money. Take it slow; you can tell me that building a loyal readership takes time. Don’t give up—remember why you started writing in the first place to help you get through days when everything feels overwhelming.

I trained in Public Relations and worked as a PR officer for a community radio station. A lot has changed in 30 years since the internet was in its early stages when I finished my degree. My husband and I work together, and he has experience in video editing and book editing, so we handle everything ourselves. I actually enjoy doing book promotion; however, it’s taking time to get up to speed with social media. I’m very set in my ways, and for me, a mobile phone is only used when you go out, relying on the landline for outside communication. As a nonprofit author, we don’t have extra money to pay for a marketing expert, as our children’s medical and living expenses take priority.

Book 2: The Ink Returns: The Whitlock Inheritance delves deeper into the lives of Eleanor, Josie, and Blaine, uncovering hidden secrets about the Whitlock Society and its influence over their world through fiction. Josie and Blaine have relocated to Los Angeles to be with Blaine’s father, Dean Cordwell, the lead singer of the Vibes, who is battling lung cancer. Adjusting to a new city and starting university, Josie’s life is a whirlwind as the threatening meeting at Whitlock Estate during the summer solstice approaches. Not to mention, Mr. Alaric has found a new writer to finish his story and cause chaos not just in the writer’s realms but also in our world. With Eleanor’s guidance, the editor and Keeper of the Light in the writer’s dimension, both Josie and Blaine’s relationship is tested, and their lives are in grave danger as Alaric is determined to finish what he started! Release Date: December 2025