Discover the Future of Literature: Meet Young Vernon’s Rising Literary Star

Annika Crum’s journey to becoming an award-winning author is nothing short of inspiring. As a child, she read books secretly in class, smuggling them under her desk. Now, she’s set to be featured in a new collection of short stories called Voices of the Future: Stories of Bravery & Belonging.

Currently a third-year creative writing student at UBCO, Annika is taking a semester off to focus on her story, "Golden Footprints," which is part of the anthology. After spending five years as a page at the Vernon library, she’s excited to host a Book Launch Party at the ORL on April 4th at 4 p.m.

“It feels amazing! This milestone is a result of a long journey,” Annika told The Morning Star. She expressed her excitement about being published alongside friends and classmates.

The anthology includes contributions from ten of her peers from the Author Conservatory, an online program for young writers. Sales from the book will help emerging authors attend crucial writing conferences, enabling them to learn from industry professionals and pitch their stories to agents. You can find the book available for order online here or purchase it at the launch party.

For the past two and a half years, Annika has been balancing her university studies with her work at the Author Conservatory, a unique platform tailored for aspiring young writers. She has already attended three writing conferences in cities like St. Louis and Atlantic City, sparking discussions with publishers about one of her completed young adult high fantasy novels.

In 2024, she earned the Wendy Elaine Nelles award from The Word Guild, which recognizes young writers for their dedication, character, and commitment to excellence. Last year, she was also a semifinalist in the Aurora Contest, showcasing her talent in speculative fiction.

Annika’s achievements began early; during her senior year in high school, she was shortlisted in UBCO’s spring short story contest and published in Best Teen Writers by Scholastic Art & Writing, where she received a Silver Medal with Distinction at Carnegie Hall.

While some might remember her accolades at Carnegie Hall, Annika is also busy honing her craft. When she’s not writing uplifting stories for teens, she’s working on mapping fantasy worlds through her project, A.C. Cartography.

Annika’s story resonates with many young writers who dream of sharing their voice. Her journey highlights the importance of mentorship and community support in the literary world. As she moves forward, her work continues to encourage peers, reminding us all that storytelling is a powerful means of connection and inspiration.

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