People often use the words writer and author interchangeably, and when doing so diminish the meaning of both words. Authors can be anyone from novelists to bloggers to journalists; they’re anyone who has published writings. Authors have gone through all three phases of publication: writing, editing, and final publication. A writer is someone who enjoys the art of writing but has yet to publish any materials, and can be in either the writing or editing period.
Now more than ever, people have the opportunity to get their stories and novel ideas published. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is a free way to get your book onto Amazon, and IngramSpark is a relatively cheap option for getting your book into online and physical bookstores.
It’s easy to look at the process of publication and see it as simple, but it actually can be especially difficult, particularly for a younger writer. Many are unable to land traditional publishing deals as they don’t have the right connections, and debut novelists are riskier for publishers to take on. For this article, the focus is on promoting a few indie or independent college-aged authors whose books came out in 2022.
All of the following authors are under the age of 21, and each went through the self-publishing process. With fewer connections than older authors and the lack of marketing and advertising that comes with self-publishing, they need the help of other aspiring artists to share their work. If you have the time, be sure to look at one of the novels listed, and if you’ve read one already, leave a review!
by Ruhi Parikh
Published: January 3, 2022, & September 19, 2022
Genre: YA Dystopia
Reviews: Subversion – 4.4/5 stars, Conversion – 5/5 stars
IT IS THE YEAR 2064, and Washington, D.C., is divided into the Rich and the Poor. The Rich bathe in their luxuries and chastise those that they believe are below them. And the Poor have been forced to endure their morbid lives ever since the end of the nationwide war, with no light seeming to peer at the end of the tunnel. As quiet and respectful as they are, they also resent every nook and cranny of D.C., of the haughty Rich, and of the self-imposed President Remington who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring this country out of its everlasting economic despair. And as much as they want to rebel and fight for a better life, they know they will be shot and killed if they dared to do so.
Blaire Cohen is a nineteen-year-old Poor woman who despises how the Poor are treated daily. She and her family labor for the government, mining from the crack of dawn to dusk. Every day she dreams of escaping the atrocious city with her family, willing to give them the life they deserve.
But that is until she gets kidnapped by a mystifying organization determined to destroy the treacherous government . . . and determined for her to join, too.
Blaire begins to embark on a life oozing with the unknown. Dangerous decisions are present at every corner she encounters, and she must choose wisely, for the wrong one will lead to imminent consequences.
Perfect for Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth fans, book one of this heart-pounding dystopian series will have you at the edge of your seat until the very last page.
Disclaimer: This novel includes intense action, violence, and language that may be sensitive to some readers. Please read with caution.
by Mya Richter
Published: August 20, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy
Reviews: 4.8/5 stars
Two Kingdoms… One war… Six Soldiers…
With the Eternal War raging, the Vermillion family holds power in the city of Shadieh, and they don’t intend on giving it up. Everything changes when the Reaper comes to town, and Octavia Vermillion burns. Kalieth Vermillion, hungry for vengeance, sets out to avenge his sister. But along the way, Kalieth discovers that the history of his family, and the kingdoms themselves, is not what it seems.
Nothing is known about the Reaper save for this: where he goes, death and shadows follow. The night is coming. Will Kalieth be able to save his family from the darkness, or is there something hidden in the shadows that even he cannot overcome?
- The Lives We Found (Book 2 to Bratherton-Wilson’s 2021 debut novel, The Lives We Left Behind)
by Olivia Bratherton-Wilson
Published: July 1, 2022
Genre: Historical Romance/LGBTQ+
Reviews: 5/5 stars
“What I feel for you terrifies me.”
“Me too. Isn’t it beautiful?”
1945. Following a short-lived, forbidden romance with evacuee, Angeline Carter, Dorothea Miller is adjusting to life on her family farm. The war is over at last, but the pair begin growing further and further apart…
Angeline is trying to live up to the expectations when her father forces her to consider marrying.
With the miles between them, the passing of time, and the pressure of hiding their sexualities from the world, will they be brave enough to love against all odds?
by Lancali
Published: July 28, 2022
Genre: Coming of Age
Reviews: 4.8/5 stars
Against the unforgiving landscape of a hospital, I fell in love with a mischievous, sun-eyed boy who became my only joy in that desolate place. That’s what made it all the more soul-crushing when he committed suicide in front of me.
Since then, I’ve sworn never to love anyone again. With three exceptions: My friends, Sony, Neo, and Coeur, a little gang of rebellious, dying kids. Sony leads the charge with the air of freedom and only one lung to breathe it. Neo, a bad-tempered and wheel-chaired writer, keeps track of our great deeds from stealing to terrorizing our nurse. Coeur is the beautiful boy, the muscle, the gentle giant with a failing heart.
Before death inevitably knocks down on our doors, my thieves and I have one last heist planned. A great escape that will take us far from abusive parents, crippling loss, and the realities of our diseases. So what happens when someone else walks through the door? What happens when a girl joins our party and renders me speechless with her mischievous smile? What happens when she has sun in her eyes, and as terrified as I am to lose again, I start to fall?
by Danyka Burrill
Published: March 29, 2022
Genre: YA Dystopia
Reviews: 5/5 stars
The world stood and watched as Americans terrorized each other. Their government had turned into a dictatorship, although no one would say it. The people started by protesting, then began to riot. Well, it’s not just rioting anymore. This is war.
Kendrall Evermore is a sixteen-year-old girl trying to pull her life back together after the attacks on Gold River three years ago. She’s got a little brother to take care of, and a father who doesn’t know what the word sober means anymore. Her mother and two of her sisters are gone. Her heart’s hard with hatred burning deep within her for the organization behind the attacks, New Generation.
Ryan Taylor is barely seventeen, not that anyone celebrates birthdays anymore. His older brother Parker is a known terrorist so he’s pretty much a loner, but not as lonely as the girl across the street. He watched as his parents were murdered in front of him as he stood there, helpless. The next day Ryan joined the Agency, a government anti-terrorist group. He will do anything to end this war.
Neither expected to be kidnapped by New Generation, especially not together, but as they unravel all the government and terrorist secrets, a dark truth begins to form. Are these two teenagers the reason the war started? Is it too late to save American democracy? Is there anything left to save?