Two of Prince George's youngest published authors had their first book signing at Books and Co. on October 30.
Erika McDonnell, 14, was signing her first published book entitled Beneath the Cobblestones, a murder mystery set in Paris, France.
In the story, a young, talented pianist moves from her hometown in Vienna to attend music school in Paris. She meets two new friends, when one is mysteriously poisoned.
"I read a lot when I was growing up, and I always wanted to create my own stories. That way I could make up characters with traits that I liked," said McDonnell.
McDonnell began writing Beneath the Cobblestones when she was just finishing Grade 6. She used a website, smartgirl.org, to help her with editing her story.
"I found it one time through Google. You submit stories, chapter by chapter, and they have people who read through and help you edit them. It really pushes you to keep writing and finish your book," she said.
Beside her on Saturday was 10-year-old Anika Green. Her first book, The Whippoorwill, is a historical fiction set in the 1880s.
The book is about a middle child, one of seven, who is struggling to find her way in the world. The main character goes looking for her younger sister, they both become lost in the woods.
"I won't ruin the ending," said Green at the book signing.
"I started reading when I was really young, and read way above my age. And I love to write, even when I little, I would dictate to my mom stories I'd want to write," she said.
Green, an avid fan of the American Girl series - about young girls growing up during World War I - said she wanted to write a story about positive family experiences.
"There so many stories about kids not liking their parents, and all they care about is fashion and make-up. I wanted to get away from that," she said.
Both girls said they were a bit nervous about their first book signing. Green said being a published author was "more than she could have ever asked for" at her age.
Green's father showed up with a purple rose for each of the young writers.
"There were a lot of people I know, but then a lot of people I didn't know came and picked up my book too," said McDonnell-Cooper. "It's such a great feeling to see people who want to read my book, even though they don't know who I am.
McDonnell-Cooper is already working on a new book, "The Singer" which is the first of what she plans to be a three-part series, while Green is working on Divided in Half, about twin sisters.
