Dana Young-Askew
Author of Come Meet Drayden
I will begin by saying this: if it weren’t for Dana, this “Candid Convos with Authors” series would be non-existent. Honestly, I may not even be an author if not for her.
I was first introduced to Dana’s story via an episode on the podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking hosted by Nora McInerny. On it, Dana shared an in-depth look into her family, the fight she has had to take on advocating for her son, Drayden, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, and shares powerful words on her hopes and fears surrounding Drayden’s place in a world that does not deserve him.
As soon as I learned that Dana had, as a mom with a full-time job (just like me at the time), published a children’s book, I immediately found her on social media and hit the “follow” button. I also purchased her book for my kids, which is currently a fan-favorite in our home right now (my kids call it the “bus book” due to a page in the book that features a school bus). Dana and I struck up a friendship via Instagram, which has slowly bled over to other platforms like Facebook, Clubhouse, and now Zoom. We have not yet met in person, but I look forward to the day that we’re able to! Funny how interpersonal relationships can form across the Internet in this day and age, huh?
Dana and her book struck something inside of me, allowing me to see that motherhood and full-time employment should not be seen as barriers to becoming an author. Dana quickly became my role model as I worked on my own children’s book and pursued its publication. As our friendship has grown she has become a constant encourager for me to continue to grow beyond simply publishing a book. Thanks to Dana, “Candid Convos with Authors” has grown from an idea into a reality.
Dana is an advocate for the Autism community and a huge supporter of inclusive children’s books. Come Meet Drayden gives a voice to all five of her children, the story focusing around Drayden but told from her other four kids’ point of views. It’s a beautiful book that deserves a place on every single child’s bookshelf. Autism does not need to touch someone’s life personally in order for this book to earn a spot on the shelf. Representation matters. Inclusivity matters. Come Meet Drayden is a wildly important book that encourages empathy and understanding in the child (and parent!) reading the story. If you haven’t already purchased a copy, you can do so here.
If you’re interested in learning more about Dana you can explore her work here, and be sure to give her a follow on her Instagram account, @comemeetdrayden.
