A 19 year old girl is being heralded as "the next J.K. Rowling," an admirable title for anyone, but the fact that Catherine Banner wrote the book when she was only 14 makes it even more incredible.
The Eyes of a King, the title of the teen author's fantasy book, was officially released this week, and is now available internationally.
"She has now completed the second part of the trilogy and could soon become as big as Rowling's successful Harry Potter stories," the Daily Mail says.
Like the Harry Potter series, it too is aimed at young teens and features mysteries about youth living both in England and in a parallel world, in a city called Malonia. It also comes at a favourable time as many Potter fans mourn the publication of Rowling's last Potter book. In addition, she has been approached by film makers, so even buffs of the Harry Potter movies could get there fix.
"I started the book when I was 14 and used to write after school and at the weekends," says Banner.
"It was just a bit of fun. I had an idea for a story so I wrote it down to see how it would turn out.
"I had always dreamed of being a writer but it never crossed my mind that the book would be published."
She hopes to have the third part finished by next summer, after which she wants to pursue an English degree.
Next Gen Harry Potter?
The Eyes of a King by Catherine Banner
Trend Themes
1. Teen Author Success - The success of Catherine Banner, a teen author, showcases the potential for young writers to make a mark in the publishing industry.
2. Fantasy Series for Young Teens - The popularity of 'The Eyes of a King' suggests a demand for fantasy book series aimed at young teens, presenting an opportunity for authors and publishers to capitalize on this genre.
3. Parallel World Stories - The inclusion of a parallel world in 'The Eyes of a King' indicates a growing interest in stories with alternative realities, creating opportunities for authors to explore this concept in their writing.
Industry Implications
1. Publishing - Catherine Banner's success as a teen author indicates opportunities for publishers to identify and support the work of young and talented writers, potentially launching successful book series.
2. Young Adult Fiction - The popularity of 'The Eyes of a King' highlights the demand for fantasy books aimed at young teens, opening up opportunities for authors and publishers to create and promote engaging content for this target audience.
3. Film Industry - The interest from film makers in 'The Eyes of a King' presents a potential opportunity for the film industry to bring popular fantasy book series to the big screen, attracting both existing fans and new viewers.