'I got my novel inspired by my autism published'

For many people, writing a novel and then actually getting it published seems like an unachievable dream.

But 15-year-old Bethany Lunney, from Malvern, has managed to do just that - with her book, inspired by her own life story, due to go on sale next year.

Bethany, who will sit her GCSEs next summer, started writing If Only when she was 11, shortly after being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Four years later, she said she wanted "to write a novel from the perspective of a neurodivergent teenager - by a neurodivergent teenager".

Getting published, she said, "was always going to be the aim, but it's just amazing when you have these dreams… and they actually start to unfold".

If Only tells the story of two girls, one with ASD and one who has suffered neglect and abuse at home, who become friends and learn how they can help one another.

Bethany said there is inevitably a "semi-autobiographical" element to her writing.

"I wrote this because I was kind of struggling," she said. "I know there's been a few [novels about ASD], but they've been written by adults.

"So I feel like it's really good to get that raw insight from a teenager."

Bethany hopes her novel will show other young people like her that they are not alone.

"Myself and so many other people, we just feel so misunderstood, or labelled the whole time," she said.

"It can be a really frustrating thing."

If Only will be available to buy from Waterstones, Foyles and Amazon from February.

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