Hybrid humans, outer space travel and a deadly virus are some of the elements in “The Existence,” a book authored by Nia Sharath, a seventh-grader at Ingomar Middle School at North Allegheny.
Set in the 2200s, the tale incorporates science fiction, fantasy, friendship, family and a fight between good and evil.
Sharath, now 12, started writing the book in September 2021 when she was in sixth grade, after being given a creative writing project by her teacher in an online writing class. Her teacher recognized her talent.
“The teacher said, ‘You should read this. It is something worth publishing’,” said her mother Shalima Prakash.
Sharath continued with the story, just completing it in July 2022. Her book launch was April 8.
She has never written a book, so there were some challenges as to how to end the story, and it took commitment to persevere to completion.
Sharath didn’t set out to become a young author. It just happened.
“I never thought a child could write a book,” Sharath said, who lives in Franklin Park with her family. “It’s something I really enjoyed.”
Sharath, who also is in her school’s orchestra, said her friends didn’t really know about her personal writing project. Her seventh-grade homeroom teacher Christian Shane was invited to the book launch as a guest author as he’s written several books himself.
Prakash said the publishing process took some time. Eventually, Sharath signed with publisher Atmosphere Press. Sharath even helped come up with the cover design.
Prakash said she surprised her daughter with a copy of the book one day on a coffee table.
“Her expression was priceless,” said her mother.
“The Existence” can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online. It’s also at her school library.
As far as future writing endeavors, Sharath hasn’t decided on anything yet, but she recently requested a book about psychology from her mother.
She’s proud of her daughter’s accomplishment.
“I am so happy. This is like a dream come true,” Prakash said.
