About the Author: “Bonnie Synclaire is the author of Promises We Break, an instant Amazon #1 New Release and Kindle bestseller in Teen/Young Adult Fiction About Special Needs. She also wrote the thriller series The Genesis Files, which is currently unpublished to be revamped.
Her short stories garnered several awards, one receiving a state title, and she retired from the PTA Reflections® circuit to move on to publishing when she was 16 years old. She is featured in TribLive, Saturday Light Brigade’s Youth Express Radio 2x, the Young Eager Writers Association, and Turn The Page Authors.
Bonnie’s books have her storytelling trademarks of memorable characters, gripping plots, raw emotions, and many twists you won’t see coming.
She is a class of 2020 high school graduate and will study Writing at Clarion University with hopes to become a technical writer. Visit www.bonniesynclaire.com.”
From the Publisher: “Disconnected Zoe’s life revolves around her nonverbal sister, Bailey. Zoe has always been her sister’s protector, but after a series of alarming events she has started to doubt her importance in Bailey’s life. Her parents want her to let go and live her own life, but they won’t tell her the real reason why.
Marley is the most popular and sought-after boy at Blue Valley High, but he and his nonverbal-autistic brother Monty are battling a painful home life that no one knows about. If he doesn’t speak up soon, their safety will be jeopardized.
When Zoe and Marley cross paths, they realize they have more in common than they think, and the two build a secret friendship despite their opposing social statuses. But the more they’re together, the urge to get help becomes more clear yet more frightening, lines between friends and more-than-friends are blurred, and soon consequences for not speaking up will come back to haunt them…”
“[A]s someone who hasn’t known many people with autism, this book was great for me to better understand their needs and what it’s like to have an autistic person in your family… Also, I loved Synclaire’s writing style!” — Olivia Faye Scott, author of WINGS
What inspired you to write Promises We Break?
My twin brother, our unique childhood, and his journey with nonverbal autism was the main inspiration for the novel. Also, I don’t see a lot books that feature accurate portrayals of characters with autism, let alone people of color with autism, because they do not actually know what it is like to have a loved one with this diagnosis, so this project was one I had to write right away.
Any advice to young writers who want to be published?
My advice is to never stop learning about your craft; the publishing industry is always moving, changing, and evolving and there is always something new to learn. Attend writing conferences, festivals, and make connections with authors in your genre. But it is also important to continue to remain focused on school and your education. If you have to put writing aside during the school year like I had to, it is one-hundred-percent okay.
Another piece of advice is to get a flash drive and import your work on it regularly.
What should we be reading this summer?
Be the Girl by K.A. Tucker, A List of Cages by Robin Roe, How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake, The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk, and so many others.
Favorite things about living in Pittsburgh?
The cultural center, good career opportunities and educational opportunities, the entertainment, and the up and coming lifestyle communities.
For more from Bonnie Synclaire, visit www.bonniesynclaire.com and connect with Synclaire on Facebook and Twitter. You can also sign up for her newsletter here!
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