The Forgotten Sword
Drake is thrown into a whirlwind of adventure when undergoing a life-changing experience and discovery.
Drake Philosopher had been living an ordinary life on the continent of Lyzix, until he was driven out of his home kingdom and separated from his master by the invasion of a power-hungry king. Accompanied only by his best friend Jerome, much of Drake's hope had vanished. Yet after meeting a few newfound friends, Drake discovers his connection to a lineage of ancient swordsmen created to defend Lyzix, leaving his future more uncertain than ever.
Determined to retake his kingdom and explore more of his ancestry, Drake uncovers information that alters the understanding of his swordsmanship role. Now faced with numerous obstacles and limited time, Drake must step into the strange history of The Spectacular Swordsmen line in order to keep Lyzix in balance; otherwise, the continent may soon meet its downfall.
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The Story behind the Story
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I could read before I could walk (not literally, but you get the point)! I was an avid reader, and seeing the joy stories brought me led me to one conclusion: I wanted to write my own. So I did. Inspired by the fantasy books I loved, I started with a short story; and six months later, that short story had become a 400-page novel draft.
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Many thought I got my main character’s name, Drake, from the rapper. They’d be wrong. I was never much into rap. Instead, I was inspired by a skilled swordsman named Drake from Beyonders by Brandon Mull, one of my favorite fantasy series growing up. As for his last name, Philosopher… well, it just sounded cool to 11-year-old me!
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This was more of a gradual process. It started with one kingdom as I imagined the setting, then expanded into the other major locations. As I began envisioning the continent, I thought about different landscapes— jungles, deserts, mountains, and more—to give my stories greater variety in their settings. And the name? That just came to me in the middle of writing the novel!
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So valuable. I probably learned the most during this time, and I have so much gratitude for my editor, Amanda Conran. The process took about a year, but I came away with a much deeper understanding of dialogue, character development, how less can be more, and so much more. It was truly a priceless learning experience.
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There are two main ways to publish: traditionally, through companies like Penguin Random House, or by self-publishing. Traditional publishers often provide guidance and handle much of the promotion, but they also have their own vision for the books they take on. Self-publishing is simpler and gives the author more control, but the marketing is largely up to you. I chose the second route, publishing through IngramSpark, a print-on-demand company. It meant taking on more responsibility myself, but I had complete control over my book—and looking back, I’m very glad I did.
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I learned just how deeply stories can impact human emotion and connect with people. I learned that creativity and imagination can open countless doors, taking an idea that exists only in your head and turning it into something real. And perhaps most importantly, I learned that with hard work, a willingness to grow, and genuine passion for what you do, you can accomplish things you once thought were impossible.
1st Book Signing: June 18th, 2022
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My local bookstore, Book Passage, was generous enough to host the debut of my novel. More than 60 people came out—friends, family, and even some locals intrigued by the idea of a 16-year-old author.
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I began by reading the prologue of my novel, as seen in the photo on the right. Then, I walked the audience through the drafting, editing, and publishing process before opening the floor to some thoughtful questions during the Q&A. We wrapped up with book signings and photos—and I ended up selling 65 copies.
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It was surreal to see so many people interested, invested, and genuinely intrigued by something I had worked so hard to create. That day showed me I had people in my corner. Four years later, it’s up to me to decide how much I give and how hard I work. And this time, I plan to give it everything I have.
