Teens to publish short story collection

Nineteen teens from throughout the Community Library Network gathered over the summer to learn about writing short stories.

The fruits of their labor, a book titled “A Universe of Stories,” will be launched at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16 at the Post Falls Library. Readers of all ages are invited to support the teens’ efforts, help the them celebrate their accomplishments and snag a free copy of the book.

The collection of stories reflects what the young writers studied during the workshops. Each session focused on a critical aspect of writing, from crafting compelling characters to revising and polishing their work.

“Each story is as unique as the teen author,” Post Falls information specialist Nathan Hansen, who led the workshops, said. The published book comprises 13 short stories and one poem.

“Every time I get the final drafts from teen writers, I am amazed by the creativity of expression that they offer to their readers. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable in print,” Hansen said.

In honor of the occasion, award-winning children and young-adult author E.G. Moore will present the keynote. She self-released her debut middle-grade novel, “Rowdy Days of Dom Sanders,” in 2019. Her essay “Wearing Teresa’s Russet Cowgirl Boots” was published in Hope Paige’s 2017 anthology “Breaking Sad.”

Moore thinks writing is a part of everything in the modern world, so at a basic level, it’s an important skill.

“It’s especially important to encourage young writers to continue to create their words because their stories are unique and will affect their world,” she said. “Success in writing is different for every person.”

As a constant learner herself, Moore said the writers that get published are the ones that continue to write, learn and improve their craft. They make it a regular part of their lives to create, send pieces out, get rejected and try again.

“Every story deserves to be told by the person who can best tell it and enjoyed by others,” she said.