We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cherise Hurt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cherise below.

Alright, Cherise thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My daughter was diagnosed as autistic at 5 years old in January 2022. Afterwards, I began looking for books to represent her. My search revealed that there are not many options for autistic children, especially girls. I wanted to find a picture book with a neurodivergent protagonist that she could relate to. Thus, The Princess Who Can’t Sit Still was born. I believe the autistic community needs books like this one to help children feel included, important, and valued. I am also neurodiverse, diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and I know how much a book like this would have helped me growing up.

The Princess Who Can’t Sit Still tells the story of a neurodivergent girl named Nora who is learning to navigate school structure and rules while demonstrating the importance of self-advocacy and benefits of movement. The neurodiverse community is underrepresented in books today, and all children deserve to have stories in which they can see themselves. My goal is to bring awareness and visibility to this amazing group!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a mother to two young girls, ages 6 and 3. After more than a decade in healthcare and project management, I now own a business with my husband. I am currently an active member of SCBWI, and I am passionate about the neurodiverse community. I chose to begin writing after finding out that most books for neurodivergent children are non-fiction or written to explain neurodiversity to neurotypicals. Those books are fantastic and so important, but I also wanted a fiction book that was FOR the neurodivergent child. I want children to read my books and see themselves in the main character(s). The Princess Who Can’t Sit Still is my first book, and I hope to create The Princess Who Series.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

So many things! Social media is a great way to support creatives without having to spend any money. People can make posts/videos/reels and share information about books and events. Simply engaging with an author’s social media accounts by liking, sharing, and commenting their posts is so helpful and spreads awareness. Asking a local bookstore or library to carry a book is also a great way to support. Attending events by local artists and authors is incredibly helpful as well – don’t forget to check in/tag/post about it! And, of course, it never hurts to buy the book/album/etc :)

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I am still new to this journey, but I have already seen the amazing support system that lives within the author community. I am not sure I have ever been a part of something so inclusive, supportive, and inspiring. This community wants to help each other be successful, and they really build each other up, celebrate accomplishments, and promote one another’s work. I have also found many parents like myself, looking for ways to support and represent their neurodiverse children. When another parent of an autistic child tells me that my book brought them to tears because it is exactly what they’ve been looking for, I know this is what I am meant to be doing. Connecting with others and helping people – that is absolutely the most rewarding part for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theprincesswho.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprincesswhobooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087152484667
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cherise_hurt

Image Credits
For book illustrations: Akshada Lattimardi