Be Yourself! Oh, Not Like That… — Deluxe Edition Kickstarter Launch

I’m so excited and honestly emotional to share that Be Yourself! Oh, Not Like That… is coming back — this time as a deluxe hardcover edition, launching on Kickstarter. Since its original release in September 2024, the response has been more than I could have ever hoped for. I’ve heard from readers who saw themselves in these pages for the first time, those who wanted to understand the experience or who shared the book with loved ones to help explain their own experiences.

This book means everything to me. It’s an autobiographical graphic novel about navigating life through the lens of autism — from childhood to adulthood, from confusion to clarity, from masking to finally understanding myself.

The book has also been nominated for the Doug Wright Awards (2025), Zelda Awards (2026), featured in interviews, podcasts, and year-end reading lists by creators I deeply admire.

That support is what made this new edition possible.

This new Kickstarter is for a deluxe hardcover edition, with an expanded and refined story and updated pages!

About the Book

This book is an exploration of my journey from childhood to the present day, navigating the world through the lens of autism. From the challenges of an adult diagnosis to the struggle of fitting into society’s molds, always being told to be more genuine and to “be myself”, but being told the way I did it was never right.

Throughout these pages, I share why receiving a diagnosis saved me, providing much-needed validation and understanding. Looking back, I wish I had this clarity and acceptance earlier in life, during my childhood and teen years, when I was trying to make sense of myself and the world around me.

"Come on, this is common sense", "why are you being so difficult", "stand still", "be normal", "look me in the eyes when I'm speaking to you", "you were such a smart kid, what happened to you?"

I recall the countless times I heard phrases like these, words that only served to highlight my differences and intensify the sense of not belonging. Even as a child, I had internalized labels like "weird" and "stupid," struggling to reconcile my early achievements with later challenges in school and life.

I received my diagnosis at 28 years old, as well as accommodations for work and school if I ever wanted to go back and finish my degree. For a long time I grieved the idea of what my life could have been. Yet I still faced the stigma of being labeled "lazy" when seeking support and "rude" when my social interactions didn't meet expectations. Explaining my autism sometimes led to dismissive responses, with others insisting that I didn't "look autistic" or should somehow know better. I never quite fit in with neurotypicals, yet I also felt disconnected from the narrow portrayals of disability in the media.

This book is a big heartfelt hug to anybody who reads it, but especially my neurodivergent friends. It is a celebration of being authentically ourselves, celebration of the quirks that make us beautifully different.

*This book mentions struggles of mental health, depression and suicidal ideation and thoughts. Nothing graphic, but content warning if these themes trigger you.

**This book is my OWN personal experience, this is not what autism looks like to everyone who is autistic. Our traits and support needs are different, that is why it's called a spectrum. If you know one autistic person - you know one autistic person.

If you supported the first edition, shared it, talked about it, or simply read it — thank you.

This new edition exists because of you.

And if this is your first time finding my work, I’m really glad you’re here.

Click To Be Notified On Launch