This month’s Ink Splat Author Interview features Cyrus Andaz, Micki Mermelstein, and Kamya Patwardhan, three participants in this year’s Spotlight Ink Publishing Program. Cyrus, Micki, and Kamya’s books, along with those of their peers in this Spotlight Ink cohort, will be published in Fall 2026. We’re looking forward to celebrating this major accomplishment with them!

Writing Challenge

Try a Writing Sprint with Society of Young Inklings Write-a-Thon challenge

One of the things we hear most often from Spotlight Ink authors is that the camaraderie and community inspires them to keep coming back to the page. It can be tough to stay motivated to keep writing creatively, even if you’re working on a project you love. And yet, it feels so good to spill some ink on a page and see those words collecting, becoming a creative work, a representation of your unique voice–be it a poem, a story, a script, a reflection, or otherwise.

Our youth leaders are hosting our first-ever Inklings Write-a-Thon! It will run from March 7 – 15, and we’re challenging each writer to roll up their sleeves and write 5,000 words in nine days. You’ll be part of a team–Inklings Youth or Inklings Adults–and your team will be racing the other toward 100,000 words, too. There are some fun live events, writing prompts and encouragement, and (of course) prizes!

You can learn more about the Write-a-Thon, and sign up, at the link below.

And now, cue the drumroll…
Presenting our Spotlight Ink authors!

First, we’ll meet Cyrus Andaz, and speak with him about his project.

Hey, Cyrus! Tell us about yourself and your book.

I’m a senior at Wheatley School, and a fun fact about me is that I can’t go a day without hitting a lift at my gym. Another thing I can’t go a day without? Revising and drafting the book I’m currently writing. I decided to take this on for two reasons: A) it would be a challenge, and I’ve never been one to turn down a challenge, and B) I’ve always loved writing, and I thought this would be the best way to not only improve my skills but develop something I could always be proud of. The goal of publishing is to prove to myself that I can take on a long-term project and see it through. I’ve always had a problem with starting and stopping projects throughout my life, so finishing this book would be a testament to what I’m capable of.

What have the highlights been in the process of writing and revising a book so far? Has anything surprised you?

The highlights are definitely the people I’ve met through Spotlight Ink. They’re all so inspiring, from the program director Naomi to my fellow Inkling writers, everyone has been incredibly supportive and helpful in my process. What surprised me, though, is how much work actually goes into writing a book. Initially, I assumed this would only take maybe 3 months max, but boy was I in for a rude awakening. Right now I’m in month 8 and I’ve yet to finish my first revision. Major props to all the full-time writers out there.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how the book will be received once it’s published. As this is my first piece, I don’t expect it to be overwhelmingly positive, but I hope for at least one random person to have a meaningful reading experience. And hey, if it reaches more than just one person, then I might just take on more projects like this.

Do you have any tips, strategies, or advice for other teens who may want to take on a larger creative writing project like you have done? What do you wish you had known before you started, or what have you helpfully learned along the way?

WRITE. Put everything down with care, but keep the momentum going. As you write, the story will move, and you’ll move with it. Of course, do it at your own pace, if you’re not feeling it one day, it’s fine to take a break. Don’t force it. Also, join Spotlight Ink’s Publishing Program if you can. Everyone is so supportive, they hold you accountable which keeps you on track, and the feedback is priceless.

Next, we’ll meet Micki Mermelstein, and hear about her novel in verse.

Hey there, Micki! Tell us about yourself and your project.

I’m a 10th grader. My book, a novel in verse, follows a fifteen-year-old girl navigating grief and self-discovery, capturing the emotional waves of adolescence through poetry. This idea has been swirling in my head since seventh grade when I was figuring out who I am. With so much confusion around me—both in my life and the world—it felt right to turn these thoughts into something others could connect with.

What surprised you about this process?

The biggest surprise was how motivated I was to finish. I usually jump from idea to idea without finishing, but being part of a group of writers kept me on track. Even on days I couldn’t make it to meetings, I’d carve out time to write. It turned writing into a habit I actually looked forward to, and I was surprised by how excited I stayed about my book through the whole process.

What are you looking forward to as you move toward publication with Spotlight Ink?

I’m really looking forward to inspiring other young writers to believe in their voices and follow their passions, just like I did. Publishing this book feels like a step toward showing that writing isn’t just for a select few—it’s for anyone who has something they need to say. I hope that, by sharing my journey, other teens will feel encouraged to keep going, even when the process gets tough, and realize that their stories are worth telling too.

Have any tips or strategies to share with other teen writers? What would you go back and whisper in your past self’s ear?

I would say brainstorm a ton before you start. I wrote down every idea, no matter how wild, in my notebook or phone. Always have a place to capture those random ideas, whether it’s a notebook, your phone’s notes app, or in voice memos. And don’t worry about rushing—it’s okay to let the ideas simmer before jumping into writing.

Finally, we’ll meet Kamya Patwardhan, and hear about her ecologically-focused fantasy.

Hello, Kamya! Tell us about yourself and your project.

I’m currently in 10th grade. My book is set in the future where climate awareness doesn’t exist. It’s about self-discovery, standing up for what you believe in, and finding hope when times are hard. I chose to write this book this year because it is very relevant with current times where we need society as a whole to think about the environment and climate change. This program has given me the opportunity to use my voice as an advocate which is important to me.

What have the highlights been in this Spotlight Ink process for you? Any surprises along the way?

My favorite part of this process has been being able to see the shape of my book change. The process of revising so far has been eye-opening and surprising as I explore many different plot options. I get the opportunity to explore many different ideas. I’ve also really enjoyed getting to hear about other people’s projects and aspects that they are working on.

What are you looking forward to as you continue onward with the Spotlight Ink program?

I am looking forward to continuing to revise my book and having the finished product in my hand. I’m also looking forward to being able to share my voice with the world and continue to develop my novel writing skills.

Do you have any tips or strategies for others who may want to take on a larger creative writing project like this one?

My advice for others who may want to take on a larger project is to really try to enjoy the process and stick with it even when it’s overwhelming. Small steps are important. Also, don’t change your voice or your story because you think other people will think it’s boring. Your voice is unique and other people want to hear it.

Want to learn more about our Spotlight Ink Publishing Program for teen authors and editors?