Growing up smuggling books under desk so she could read during class, Annika Crum has become an award-winning author.
The young fantasy author will be published in an upcoming collection of short stories entitled Voices of the Future: Stories of Bravery & Belonging.
Crum, a third year UBCO creative writing major, is taking a semester off to launch her short story Golden Footprints.
Crum, who has been a page at the Vernon library for five years, will be hosting a Book Launch Party in an upstairs meeting room at the ORL Friday, April 4, at 4 p.m.
"It feels amazing! It's been a long journey, so this is a milestone for sure," Crum told The Morning Star. "I'm so excited and honoured to be published alongside several friends and classmates."
Crum鈥檚 short story is published along with 10 other Author Conservatory classmates in the anthology, which can be ordered online at https://authorconservatory.com/voices-of-the-future-annika-crum/ or purchase at the launch party.
The funds allow 100 per cent of the proceeds to go towards helping young authors attend writing conferences where they are able to learn from industry professionals and pitch their novels to agents.
For the past two and a half years Crum has been a full time university student and a full time student with the Author Conservatory, an online college alternative for young writers.
She has attended three writing conferences in St Louis and Atlantic City, which have opened conversations with publishers for one of her completed YA High Fantasy novels.
In 2024, Crum was awarded the Wendy Elaine Nelles award by The Word Guild for writers who strive to emulate the virtues of leadership, perseverance, commitment to excellence, commitment to Christian faith, and good character.
Also last year she was a semifinalist in the Aurora Contest for rising stars in speculative fiction writing with the Realm Makers community.
While in Grade 12 with Heritage Christian Online School, she was shortlisted for UBCO鈥檚 spring short story contest. Also that same year, she was published in Best Teen Writers by Scholastic Art & Writing and was presented a Silver Medal with Distinction award in New York at Carnegie Hall.
Some may remember Annika Crum for earning a Silver Medal with Distinction at Carnegie Hall in 2022.
When she鈥檚 not writing uplifting stories for teens, you can find her mapping fantasy worlds with A.C. Cartography or learning career skills from the Author Conservatory.
