Sarah’s Bio

Sarah Stup is a critically acclaimed author with autism who types to speak. She discovered the power of the written word when she was eight, but because she could not speak before then, few appreciated just how bright she was or the extent to which she absorbed her lessons and environment. Sarah went onto to graduate from high school with honors and has since authored numerous books, gift collections, poems and essays for children and adults.

Sarah launched her writing career with the acclaimed children’s book, Do-si-Do with Autism, followed by her collected works, Are Your Eyes Listening? Sarah next published two beautiful gift booklets, Nest Feathers and Heart and Spirit. Her book Do-si-Do with Autism became the inspiration for the Autism Friendship Kit, a CD/DVD set that helps build meaningful relationships between children with and without autism. Her latest novel, Paul and His Beast, for middle grades, took more than six years off and on to write.

Sarah’s writings take readers inside the world of autism, so they may experience its very sights, sounds and feel. “Writing is my way out of a lonely place where only God knows,” she says. “I feel alive to type. The lid opens and out comes pieces of Sarah, a girl with wings who soars above the place with no hope called autism. I am real when I write. Autism is my prison, but typing is the air of freedom and peace.”

Sarah’s work has been embraced by families, educators and professionals in the disabilities community. It has won the enthusiastic support of The Arc of Frederick County, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and the State of Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services, among others. Sarah was proudly named recipient of the The Arc of Maryland Self-advocate Award and the Frances and Lease Bussard Award for Self-advocacy. She has been featured in numerous publications including the Baltimore Sun, Frederick News Post, and Exceptional Parent.

Sarah lives in Frederick, Maryland, and writes in her cozy kitchen nook, as she is depicted in her website banner. She enjoys listening to music, walking, fancy coffee drinks, and spending time at the beach in Lewes, Delaware, where Paul and His Beast takes place. She enjoys meeting and making friends on Facebook and her blog.