Local children’s author to sign books Saturday 

While many authors draw from their imagination to create fanciful characters and conflicts in the hopes of conveying a message, others draw from their own experiences and personal struggles. For Maricopa children’s author Julie Mastel, both are true.

This Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to noon at Honeycutt Coffee, Mastrel will be signing copies of her newest book in a series titled “Jesus Was With Me All Along.” The new book, the third of the series, focuses on autism and the struggles of young autistic people and those close to them.

It was Mastel’s first-hand experience with autism which drove her to write this installment of the series. With two children both on the autism spectrum, she is well in tune with the struggles of such a condition.

She unashamedly admitted all of her books have been about her own personal struggles as a young person.

“They are sort of about myself,” She said.

The first book of the series was about bedwetting, and the second was about divorce. Both things she dealt with in her younger life.

Her aim with these books is not, however, to tell a personal story; it is to provide a sense of solidarity among those who may struggle with similar issues.

“I just want to encourage kids and let them know they are not alone,” Mastrel said. “[The kids] can then maybe find some healing.” 

April being Autism Awareness Month seemed to Mastrel to be the right time to release the latest volume of the series which is largely faith driven. She will be talking mostly about her new book at the signing, though she will also have copies of her other books written in 2013.

Mastel writes all of her stories, and though she does not have anything in the works at the moment, she said she most certainly will continue to draw from her own experiences, adding to the series in the future.

For more information about Julie Mastel or her books please visit her website at www.jesuswaswithmebooks.com.