For Calyssa Erb, BA’15, writing a critically acclaimed middle grade novel, Maya Plays the Part, set her on a path of healing and self-discovery.

Her driving force – to portray an authentic representation of autism – reflects her own experiences in theatre and confronts the lack of accurate depictions of neurodevelopmental disorders in pop culture.

“My perspective is unique to my lived experience, but I think stories about autistic people often lack nuance,” she says. “Stories are told about us, not from our perspectives and it’s important to push back against misunderstandings and stigmas.”

The book explores the world of Maya, an 11-year-old autistic child with a love for musical theatre and her challenges with friendships and self-identity. The deeply personal character came to Calyssa as a beacon.

“Ages 10 through 12 were pivotal for me,” she recalls. “There are so many shifting social dynamics. Kids are trying to figure out who they are and although it’s a confusing time, it can also be very special.”

A budding author

As a child, Calyssa was constantly scribbling short stories in notebooks. An avid reader from a young age, she often wrote alternate storylines inspired by her favourite books and characters.

At the age of eight, Calyssa won an original short story writing contest at her elementary school. “It was so exciting that people wanted to read my work,” she recalls.

Through childhood and teenage years, Calyssa was aware she approached social situations differently than others. When she encountered difficulties making friends at school, her parents enrolled her in theatre camps during summers visiting her grandmother in Halifax, N.S., hoping the supportive community would help her connect with other kids.

It worked! Calyssa thrived in theatre. She enjoyed working towards a common goal in a structured environment with a diverse group of youth.

“Knowing my lines and how the other actor was going to respond made communication predictable,” she explains. “It eliminated the anxiety I had daily when I wasn’t sure how a conversation would go and if I would say the right things.”

Putting the pieces together

Calyssa’s family moved to the Greater Toronto Area and when it came time to choose a university, Western checked all the boxes. Calyssa began her undergraduate degree in the English and writing studies program in 2011.

When she received her autism diagnosis as an adult, she described it as a gift. “It was a relief to finally understand myself, instead of feeling I wasn’t doing things the right way,” she says. “I realized I wasn’t choosing harder paths – but the way my brain operated didn’t match how other people approached situations.”

‘Masking’ is when autistic people adopt neurotypical behaviours to fit in socially, and Calyssa learned it’s something measured during the diagnostic process.

“Some people were in disbelief when I opened up about my diagnosis due to the amount of masking I had done,” she says. “Masking took a significant toll on me. But there is a lot of happiness that comes from ‘unmasking’ – being true to yourself and feeling safe with supportive people.”

Calyssa’s diagnosis also came with a welcome surprise: rediscovered creativity. While writing Maya Plays the Part, she confronted situations in her life she had previously struggled to understand.

“Maya had such a strong voice from the start. She makes mistakes, acknowledges her emotions and picks herself up. Through her I explored how things could have been different if I had an autism diagnosis at a younger age.”

Calyssa married in 2024 and calls her spouse Zoey her biggest supporter. “They push me to make writing a priority,” she says. “They also understand the ways I need to take care of myself and empower me to ask for and use accommodations to do my best work.”

A standing ovation

Reception to Maya Plays the Part has been resoundingly positive. It has received nine nominations, notably as a finalist for the Jean Little First-Novel Award and Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award. It was named a 2025 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens starred selection and was recognized by the Children’s Book Council.

Perhaps most meaningful is how the novel connected Calyssa with readers who are grateful to have found something that resonates.

“I recently spoke at an elementary school and talked with a student who is also autistic. He told me Maya is the first autistic character he has seen who gets to be the hero of a story. It was incredibly touching – and part of the reason why I wrote the book in the first place.”

Calyssa’s work in the literary world extends to her job as a national account manager in non-traditional markets at Scholastic Canada. In her role she works with grocery stores and pharmacies to place books across Canada, ensuring greater access to new  books for kids.

As for upcoming projects, Calyssa is writing proposals and remains cautiously optimistic about her next book.

“The publishing industry can be difficult,” she admits. “There are some great publishers in Canada but there’s no guarantee an idea you love will move forward. But it’s all about perseverance and working on your craft.”

With the confidence of who she is, Calyssa is more connected to writing than ever – a love that began with an imaginative little girl writing in a notebook as she tried to understand the world.