I had a dream in 5th grade: to publish my own novel.
So I chased it…and achieved it 6 years later
I read SO much when I was a kid. I even had a little stand I’d set my book on during breakfast. I’d read in the car, and I’d read at night with a flashlight under my covers. I could name 100+ books I absolutely loved, but some clear favorites were Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling), Percy Jackson (Rick Riordan), and The Beyonders (Brandon Mull).
Those books, and my love for reading, eventually led me to start writing. It started as a chapter. Then a short story. That short story turned into 50 pages, then 100, then 200.
And I kept writing. My imagination was going 10x faster than I could put it on paper. But eventually, I wrapped up the story, already filled with ideas for books 2 and 3.
It took eight months. And it was an amazing eight months…
5th grade drafting process
The Turning Point: When I Decided to Publish
After finishing the first draft, I kept writing. I drafted books 2 and 3, but as I prepared to head into high school, I started thinking: It would be a shame if my books were only ever seen by me. No kid could get the same joy from my stories that I had gotten from Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and all those other books I loved. Unless I published it. So I decided I would.
The Editing Experience
This was where I learned the most, largely thanks to Amanda Conran, an author and editor whose mentorship shaped how I see revision, and storytelling, in general.
Her biggest lesson: Be willing to change.
Scenes, characters, and plot points that seem essential in a first draft can often be transformed or cut entirely. Being open to new ideas can completely change a novel.
And that’s exactly what happened to mine.
Over a year and a half, I took the huge imagination of a fifth grader and shaped it into the character development, emotional depth, and storytelling of a high schooler. As someone who lived for the hard-hitting, heartfelt stories I loved growing up, I knew exactly the kind of story I wanted to tell.
Publication
And after that year and a half, it was time to publish.
First came formatting and the cover. Damonza, a company specializing in both, was a great fit. A few months later, they sent me the final manuscript.
Then I took it to IngramSpark. And soon enough, my childhood dream had come true. On April 10th, I had a published novel.
It felt incredible.
I was so proud of my work and so grateful to everyone who had helped me along the way. My book signing on June 18th was the cherry on top—and truly solidified how much this whole journey meant to me.
And Now I’m Back!
Back to give my childhood dream a real shot.
And I can only do that with your help.
Join my writing journey as I try to bring the same joy I found in books to others through the power of a fantasy novel.
Beyond Writing
When I’m not writing, you’ll find me playing drums or guitar, fishing, camping, serving at my local Church, or hanging with friends— all while studying agricultural business at Cal Poly.