Former student Candace Williams returned to Portage Central High School last week as a published author.
The 2025 graduate joined her former classmates in the library Friday, Feb. 20, with copies of her first published novel Pawn.
The book, written under the pseudonym Calliope More, follows the adventures of Alice Lee, a 15-year-old desperate for answers about her sister's death. The fantasy novel was inspired by Candace's favorite stories growing up, including Alice in Wonderland, Chronicles of Narnia and classic fairytales such as Hansel and Gretel.
"I've dreamed of becoming an author almost my entire life," Candace said to the Book Club gathered in the library. "You guys are making my dreams come true."
Candace said on her author website that she wrote the book during a formative time in her own life, describing Pawn as the "story I needed when I was 15 years old, during a global pandemic and a wave of anti-Asian hate crimes."
Her book follows a Cantonese American protagonist struggling "with cultural disconnection and grief while journeying through a fantastical world rife with secrets and nightmares."
"I have always anticipated the day that I could share my book with you—my fellow dreamers and myth-weavers," she said. "Thank you for telling me a thousand different ways, Keep going."
The book's illustrations and cover art were created by another PC graduate, Nora O'Neill.
You can read more about Pawn, order your own copy and follow along with Candace on her journey as an author at calliopemore.substack.com/.