Teen Stories Matter: Reasons Why Publishing a Book Can Revolutionize a Teen’s Future In and Out of the Classroom

Did you know that around 82% of Americans have the desire to write a book and have stories inside them waiting to be told, but less than 1% end up finishing and publishing said book? 

That’s a lot of untold stories. 

Imagine being a teenager with a story to tell. You’d want to get your voice out there and speak your truth. If more young writers contributed to the 1% of thinkers, leaders, and artists that have published their stories, it would indeed be revolutionary. Whether the goal is to have something creative and authentic to present to top colleges or something to uplift and empower local communities, stories are important, and they should be shouted from the rooftops. 

Being a published author is not only an incredible accomplishment but also a statement. A statement of individuality and truth. Published authors are not only composed of writers but also of leaders and dreamers. The passionate and influential power teen voices have is magnified when transferred into words and can move mountains when shared. And how many people can say they’ve published a book? In this blog, we’ll talk about the reasons why publishing a book can amplify a teen’s voice and expand their future opportunities in and out of the classroom. 

Elevates Unique Voices and Perspectives

To stand out, we must shout triumphantly. Everyone has a unique voice and a different story, but only a few can truly express themselves through the written word. Crafting and publishing a book is monumental in honing our inner voice and delving deep into our discovery of ourselves. If anyone, especially young people, shares personal knowledge and experience with others in the form of a professional, well-crafted book, it goes a long way on college applications and beyond. Knowledge is power.

Teens shape the future. With exposure to different perspectives, we can change the world. Their innovative and unique outlooks are what will pave the way for generations to come. Having a publication means having something that is uniquely yours. Your information, your words, and your ideas. So, when powerful teen voices are laid out on the page, big things can happen.

For the teen, expressing themselves can be therapeutic and enhance their outlook on themselves and their community. Publishing their story and sharing their perspective with the world makes room for opportunities and growth that can change their lives.

Illustrates Leadership and Collaboration 

Leadership and collaboration are great skills for teens to have, just in general, and having a book professionally published demonstrates this—colleges look for these skills! Publishing a book is a collaborative experience, as it is a process that usually involves a team of people such as a cover designer, editor, proofreader, and even other writers. To collaborate effectively means to communicate well and to have an open mind when interacting with others. These skills are valuable. Additionally, with this collaborative environment comes the opportunity to meet other writers and creatives from all walks of life. 

Creating something tangible that people can access is a sure sign of a confident leader and an innovative thinker. The journey of producing a personal story is brave, and to make this move as a teen demonstrates leadership because it shows they are not afraid to express themselves and stand up for what they believe in. 

Proves Commitment and Follow Through

Publishing a book is not only a process, but it can be a lengthy one that takes months or even years to complete. Going through the motions of actually crafting the story and getting it ready for publication takes a great deal of commitment and follow-through. To go through the writing process, the editing process, and the production process, it takes determination and passion to succeed. When a teen can commit to and follow through with an idea or project like this, there is a certain amount of self-motivation that comes with it that is admirable. Additionally, colleges look for students who are willing to go the extra mile and to have a publication with commitment and follow-through to back it up is a bonus. 

Welcomes Feedback and Criticism 

Feedback and criticism are tools. Before a book is published and put out into the world, the manuscript is looked at numerous times to ensure it is free of errors and developed well. During this process, the author will take in feedback regarding the length of the manuscript, the events that happen within the story, grammatical errors, and more. Not only is this feedback and criticism helpful for the author so they can make their book the best it can be, but it also enhances the way they intake and respond to the information given to them. 

After the book is finally out in the world, authors are presented with a different type of criticism and feedback. Reader feedback! Readers often post reviews on sites like Amazon or Goodreads to express their thoughts and opinions on the book they read. Good and bad. It is important not to take these reviews personally. When a teen author can respond well to criticism and feedback about their own personal work, it manifests growth and inspiration for future experiences. 

Builds a Digital Footprint

What is a digital footprint, and why can publishing a book influence it? A digital footprint is our online presence that showcases our achievements, contributions, and experiences for the public to see. A digital footprint produces countless opportunities for networking and just exposure in general! For a teenager, developing a solid digital footprint can put them ahead of the pack quickly. Social media sites such as LinkedIn or Instagram are great for building connections and serve as an amazing tool for telling the world about any publications. Publishing a book opens doors personally, academically, and career-wise because having something concrete, authentic, and tangible that reflects who you are is reputable. 

 Fosters Bigger, Bolder Goals

If someone could publish a book at seventeen, what other wonderful things are they capable of? What other goals do they want to reach? Perhaps when young people see they are capable of publishing a work, it can serve as a positive gateway or motivator for future ambitions. If a teen can write and publish a piece of their own work for the world to see, college admission officers see a go-getter and someone with motivation, and at a young age, that is valuable for future academic and personal endeavors. 

So, to all the teens and young adults out there, share your story. You never know what may come of it or who may be blown away by what you have to say. Words have meaning; use yours! Stories are special; they give us access to various thoughts, outlooks, and walks of life, and that’s why colleges and other areas of prestige look highly upon published works and set authors apart. When teens publish their stories, they open themselves up to elevate their unique voices and perspectives, illustrate their leadership and collaboration skills, prove their commitment and follow through, welcome feedback and criticism, help them build a digital footprint, and lastly, amplify their goals and allow them room to have bigger, bolder aspirations.