Courtesy Photo: Young Authors Press
The younger generation is about more than the latest TikTok dances. Apparently, they also write books.
Such is the case for the writers of “We Make the World Magazine: Young Authors Anthology.” Annika Arvik, Luna Randolph, James Clawson, Matthew Randolph, Leila Goldstein, Xander Jordan, and Harrison Sargent are all authors aged from 12 to 16, under the umbrella of Young Authors founder Tracy Randolph, a Bay Area artist and teacher.
“Young Authors Press was created when my son (Matthew) specifically, at 9 years old, would obsessively talk about this book that he wanted to write,” said Tracy Randolph. “When I had him and a few of my other students who were really into writing, we initially started some creative writing, just playing around.”
From there, they became involved in National Novel Writing Month, which a challenge for creative people to set writing goals and execute the plan. Tracy’s children, Matthew and Luna, and many of her students took the challenge quite seriously.
At the age of 16, Matthew is already an established writer, having completed his Dungeons and Dragons-inspired “Call to a Quest” trilogy in just three years. Throughout Matthew’s time in writing and creating the visual art for each book, Matthew appreciates how his art “evolved over the last three years.”
“I’m honestly really, really proud that this is number three because the best things come in three, right?” said Matthew. “It feels amazing to actually finally have three entire books and to finish the series because that’s like a complete thing.”
The creation of “We Make the World Magazine: Young Authors Anthology” was eye-opening for Matthew working as a collaboration and not on his own.
“It was a group process and things were difficult, but it was fun to have a bunch of other people working on it at the same time. It’s not just from my mind. It’s important to have other people’s aspects, so you get a whole rainbow of things,” said Matthew.
Matthew encourages teenagers to read more, saying he finds it to be “enjoyable.” He hopes to spread his passion for reading at an upcoming book signing event at Alibi Bookshop in Vallejo.
“I hope they’re inspired,” said Matthew. “I want them to love my story.”
The Young Authors Press reading will be on Friday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. at Alibi Bookshop, 624 Marin St. in Vallejo.
For more information about the event, visit alibibookshop.com. For more information regarding Young Authors Press, visit www.tracyrandolph.com/young-authors-press.html.\\
