Autism is often little understood or under-understood and when it is written about or discussed, it is often done in a clinical and sterile manner. One local author attempts to humanize it and make it more accessible to people in a new novel titled A Mile in Her Shoes.

The novel was written by local writer Mark Mussina. Mussina was a standout high school and collegiate athlete and brother of Hall of Fame baseball player, Mike Mussina. The book deals with a young girl with autism who enjoys the competition and challenge of competing as a member of her high school track team and how this activity helps to make her more of a part of the mainstream of her high school and the high school experience.

While researching the project, author Mark Mussina was surprised to find how few novels involved main characters with autism and has since been thrilled with the genuine response from those whose lives have been touched by people on the spectrum.

He was asked what prompted him to write a story of this novel and why he used the storyline that he did.

“I saw a story both online and on television about a child with autism who was rather athletic, but the autism was severe enough that he couldn’t compete due to the complexities of team sports, Mussina told Webb Weekly. “I thought it would make a good story if I created a character with autism who could compete, but I wanted it to be realistic, so I knew I couldn’t do baseball or football or basketball or soccer. Then I came up with track. What if there was a teenager with autism who could really run? I thought that would make a believable story.”

He said that writing a book was a new venture for him. “I’d never written a book before because I thought it was too complicated, and I didn’t think I was enough of a wordsmith to pull it off,” Mussina said. “I’ve written several screenplays just because they were easier for me to format, and I figured that was the best I could do. I first wrote this one as a screenplay as well. Then COVID hit, and I found myself with lots of free time. I also loved the story, and I didn’t want to see it not go anywhere, so I decided if I turned it into a book, I could self-publish it and get it into people’s hands. It took me a lot longer than I thought, and I got lots of editing and proofing help, but it ultimately turned out better than I could have hoped.”

He was asked what he wanted people to get from his novel, “I just want people to be entertained. I’ve been pleased with how many people have gotten emotionally wrapped up in it. I thought, I could make people laugh, but I’ve been shocked to hear how many people have cried. I’ve even had guys tell me they’ve gotten choked up. I never thought I’d be able to do that. Also, as people read it, even though it’s fictional, I want them to think it’s a story that could happen in their hometown.”

He said he had to prepare himself to write something involving autism. “I was really nervous to write about autism because I don’t have much hands-on experience with it, and I wanted my character to come across as authentic,” declared Mussina. “I’ve gotten some wonderful reviews from parents who have kids with autism. One thanked me for writing it even before he read it, saying, ‘thank you for giving them a voice.’”

He continued, “My character with autism isn’t the main character. She’s the new kid in town, and the story centers around how all the “normal” people respond to her. Which ones help her meld into her new environment and which ones have trouble dealing with her differences.”

A Mile in Her Shoes is available on Amazon.com or Mussinabooks.com.