In second grade, Katie Onus sat in a classroom visited by Roland Smith, who writes adventure and animal novels.
That visit changed Katie’s life.
Half her lifetime later, Katie is a published author. Her book, “The Island of the Wolves,” is expected to be out next month — the same month she turns 17.
Katie shared writing advice with other teens at South Fork High School last week to celebrate her accomplishment and Literacy Week, and I sat in on one of the sessions. It reminded me how lucky we are to be in a reading community.
Earlier in the week, I had attended BookMania!, the daylong book fair Martin County Library system puts on each year, and had heard a variety of authors — some new, some quite popular — speak about their craft.
When I got into work Monday, a new book sat on my desk, sent from the publicist for an author coming to the Vero Beach Book Center. a reporter soon stopped by to give me an update on a story about the libraries: St. Lucie County Library system is expected to offer e-books in February.
These might all seem like small things, but not every community is so rich in opportunities to encourage young readers and to discover new authors. a good book can entertain, but it also can educate and inspire.
So can a good author.
According to her mother, Kathleen Onus, Katie always has told long, rambling stories. but only after that author visited Palm City Elementary did Katie start writing her stories down.
“I just wrote all kinds of stories,” Katie said. “This one (her book) is the first story I ever really finished.”
She didn’t just finish it. she has a 400-page alternative ending and four flash drives full of research on the history behind her historical fantasy novel.
Katie started the story in eighth grade, finishing a 20-page version that she revised in ninth grade to create a full-length novel. she submitted the manuscript last spring, when she was in 10th grade, to the Young Writers Project, a contest that helps teen authors get published.
Last summer, just before she started 11th grade at South Fork and four months after she sent in “her baby,” Katie received the email telling her she had won. Her book was being published.
“I was crying. I never felt that way before in my life,” Katie said. “I was crying and screaming and running around the house. my mom thought I’d broken a bone.”
Katie is a soccer referee and a flute player in the marching band. she plays bassoon in the symphony and wants to go to college to be a veterinary technician. she plans to donate half her profits from her book to a charity for animals.
She daydreams story ideas in math class sometimes. she is an author.
I can’t wait to read her book. maybe she’ll be the author inspiring a group of elementary kids someday. She’s already inspired me.
(If you want to read Katie’s book, it’ll be available soon at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.)