Teen’s fantasy becomes reality with his first novel

? P.J. Book always wanted to become a writer. His dream came true this year, at the age of 19, with the release of his first book “The Last Dragon.”

Book started his fantasy novel as a junior at Seaman High School and 1 1/2 years later, the work was complete. The plot surrounds a man’s journey, adventure and return home after learning of his brother’s death.

“It’s a story of revenge,” Book said. “During his journey home, he finds out that he is much more than he thought he was.”

He believes his ideas for writing stem from his overactive imagination.

“I feel the need to put it to paper, and I really enjoy sharing it with people,” Book said. “I like to be heard.”

His love for writing started at a young age with short stories during elementary school.

“Since I was able to have ideas of what I wanted to do, it has always been writing,” Book said. “In first and second grade, I would get the names of all of the people in my class, write stories with them in it and then share it with the class. They all enjoyed it.”

Book said a creative writing class at Seaman High also contributed to enhancing his writing ability. The experience he received with poetry during the class is now reflected within his book.

“I was never really into poetry, but through the class, I got into it, and that really affected my book because there is a lot of poetry in it,” Book said.

Life goal achieved

But how does it feel to be a published author at such a young age?

“It’s a complete sense of accomplishment,” Book said. “This was my life goal, and it’s done, and I’m only 19. This is what I wanted, and I have it, so I couldn’t be happier.”

Book also said he sometimes can’t believe his own achievement.

“People say to me, ‘I can’t believe you wrote a book,’ and I say, ‘Neither can I,'” Book said.

The support from friends and family helped make his dream happen. Book emphasized the importance his mother, Sandy Holcomb, his English teacher, Barb Chamberlin, and his friends had in his work.

“Those three have been the cornerstones for this work,” Book said. “I know I would not have been able to write a 200-plus-page novel without all of their support. They were all very viable.”

He said his mother was a huge source of inspiration. Book said he now feels like he can be an inspiration to others.

“I’m 19, and I did what I wanted to do,” he said, “and I feel anyone can do it, too, if they would just start.”

Mallory Auffert, who calls herself Book’s No. 1 fan and friend, said he’s an inspiration to others.

“He definitely inspires me,” Auffert said. “He’s always wanted to do something big and show the world what he has, and he has with this book.”

Auffert said Book was an example for others.

“If someone from Kansas can get their book published then anyone can do it,” Auffert said.

Second book started

A second book — “Beyond the Horizon” — is in the works and will feature the same fantasy world of Dandel, but with different characters and a focus on the ocean and pirates.

Others have called “The Last Dragon” a cross between “Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter, he said.

“I agree with that,” Book said, “but it’s not so much ‘Harry Potter,’ but it is ‘Lord of the Rings.’ It’s a very dark and violent book. And so with my second one, I wanted to do something lighter to show that I am not some crazy sadistic guy.”

Although he is planning a series for the world of Dandel, he is also hoping to attempt different genres.

“I would like to try other areas of nonfiction, maybe even sci-fi,” he said.

Book intends to return to Washburn University this fall, where he likely will major in education for elementary or high school and continue to serve as manager of a local band called the Velvet Hammers.