Upper School student Katelynn W. '25 has reached an impressive milestone by publishing her debut novel, Queen of Spades.
Inspired by the fantasy worlds of her favorite books, Katelynn started this project three years ago, determined to create her own universe filled with relatable characters. Balancing schoolwork, writing, and other activities was no easy task, but Katelynn made the most of every free moment—whether at lunch, afterschool, or even on the bus—to work on her novel. As her academic workload increased, she dedicated weekends and school breaks to revising, sometimes losing track of time while immersed in her writing.
Her success, she says, comes down to discipline, determination, and devotion. These qualities helped her complete the novel and navigate the complex publishing process. Drawing inspiration from a lesson learned in an interview she once watched, Katelynn shared that focusing on each moment was crucial for her achievement: "When you master the moment, the future takes care of itself." She also credits the skills developed at Sierra Canyon, particularly the research needed to tackle the ins and outs of publishing independently. "I had to learn everything on my own, from vendors and ISBNs to formatting and copyrights," Katelynn explained. Additionally, her English classes played a significant role in her development, helping her refine her writing voice and build her writing confidence.
To her peers with ambitious goals, Katelynn offers this quote from Samuel Beckett as advice, "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."
Her journey is a testament to dedication, creativity, and perseverance—a shining embodiment of a true Sierra Canyon portrait of a graduate.
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