When the clock switched to midnight the 26th of August, twin sisters Maya and Sofie pushed the button to officially publish their debut novel. The surprise? We were only thirteen years old. 

Age discrimination made publishing as kids seem impossible, but we learned to overcome it. At first, we were afraid that people would treat us and our writing differently because we were younger than most authors, even if our writing was just as good and we were just as professional. It took time, supportive friends and family, and courage, but since then we’ve realized that talent isn’t based on age. In this article, we’ll explore how to navigate being a young author—and why writing young is something to be proud of, not afraid of.

We started writing when we were nine years old. At that time, it was nothing professional—short, unfinished stories about dogs and other animals, and one fantasy piece that really inspired us to move on with a bigger project. At the time, writing was just a fun pastime. We assumed we couldn’t publish a book. We were just kids. People said it right to our faces—other authors, faceless people on social media. But more often, it wasn’t said. The age rules on writing were implied silently by almost everyone, young or old, as though not even worth discussing out loud. It wasn’t until we turned eleven that we started re-thinking that principle.

Why shouldn’t kids publish books? 

The truth is that there is no real reason. We had something that we were proud of, and nothing could stop us from sharing it. We wanted to write a book that addressed issues and topics that kids our age needed to hear, and that broke free of the typical dystopian molds in ways that challenged the genre to expand to encompass the struggles that should come along with the heavy topics it often confronts. So, we wrote our story, and we didn’t let anything hold us back. We firmly believe that measuring ability in years is ridiculous—especially when writing and publishing young actually has its benefits.

Young authors like us have the advantage of being able to create authentic teenage characters.  We know exactly what our target audience wants to read—because most of the time, we are our target audience. Writing young adult and children’s fiction that follow trends for teens and tweens, talks about topics they care about, and that they find relatable couldn’t be easier for us. To all readers: if you’re a teenager and you love to write, use your age as an inside view on what your target audience wants to read. Readers will be able to sense the authenticity of your writing and get sucked into your story much easier than if you were trying to impersonate someone of a different age.

But it’s not all about benefiting your readers. Writing can also have a therapeutic and immensely satisfying effect on the author. During the pandemic, as many did, we got bored, tired of being alone all the time, and we started to feel trapped in our home. How did we find escape? Writing—and you can use it as a method of expression, too. 

As teens, we have many new perspectives, thoughts, and emotions: and writing is the perfect way to get them out. So many teenagers already love to obsess over fictional characters…so what’s stopping you from creating your own? When you write, you’re able to make anything possible. You can create your own world with just a few words, and who has a better imagination than a kid? 

Writing is a superpower that shouldn’t be limited to adults. There are no boundaries, and nothing stopping you from creating your dream world. Even if you don’t publish, writing is an escape, an outlet, and a powerful ability that you, too, could explore. If you love your story, readers will catch on to that dedication and want to read your books. 

As young authors, we know how hard it can seem to step out into a world that’s predominantly run by adults, especially when it may feel like you can’t control how people see you, or how they treat your work. Even though age stereotypes based around quality, commitment, talent, and intelligence might tell you otherwise, there’s no age limit to writing, and there are many benefits to starting young. It’s also important to remember that there’s no shame in asking for help, no matter your age: no one can do it on their own, even adults. 

What’s stopping you? Who knows—your book might even become the next bestseller!