16 Year Old High School Junior Publishes Novel Phoenix Ashes, for her father - six years after her mother died

A 16-year-old prodigy, Aimée Carter has just published a 225-page novel called Phoenix Ashes. The novel deals with the struggles faced by a troubled young boy -- issues such as suicide, harassment, self-esteem, isolation, faith, death, and justice.

Teen Explores Major Struggles Of Life
In First Published Novel, Phoenix Ashes

Canton, MI--- It may be unusual for a teenager to publish a novel but it is striking for a 16-year-old girl to publish a story about the issues facing a young boy and do so with the maturity, grasp of life, and writing skills of an adult.

That's the conclusion that will be reached by readers of Phoenix Ashes, a novel published in December 2002 by Aimée Carter, 16, of Canton, Michigan. A talented writer, Carter deals clearly and concisely with the tough issues of a boy growing up, including an unhappy home life, low self-esteem, loneliness, and faith.

Zac, the main character in Phoenix Ashes, lives out a nightmare existence by day and at night in his dreams meets an imaginary confidant, Minty, who offers a listening ear, comments and often advice on Zac's daytime struggles. "The world isn't out to get you, Zac, but if you want to make it aggressive and terrible, then that is exactly how you will see it," Minty tells Zac. "Happiness and depression are states of mind, and you need to learn how to achieve the one and get rid of the other."

"The whole basis of Phoenix Ashes is how Zac deals with life going on around him," explains Aimée Carter. "Dreams give him a chance to exist in two worlds, to live in the real world and then set foot in his dream world. The reader can look into Zac's conscious and subconscious. The book is about how Zac perceives things which is not often how they really are."

Aimée began writing seriously by producing fan fiction with other teen writers on the Internet. Two friends helped Aimée develop the plot idea for Phoenix Ashes about eight months ago and she wrote the novel in four weeks. After editing and polishing up the story, Aimée presented her first novel to her father, Richard Carter, on his birthday.

At age 10, Aimée's mother and only grandparent died within months of each other. Since then, her father has become a strong figure in her life, encouraging her to write and to develop and pursue specific goals. She lives with twin brothers, Adam and Aaron. "Living with only guys in the house, I experience a lot of boy things in my life. Besides, I'm not really that 'girlie' myself. I understand guys a lot better than I do girls."

Aimée plays the piano, drums, and guitar, earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, is an avid reader and writes constantly. She also has worked as a waitress at a pizzeria and as a paintball referee. After graduation, Aimée hopes to attend University of Michigan and major in literature.

For a review book or to arrange an interview with Aimée Carter, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090.

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