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A nine-year-old from the Wirral has worked with her dad to launch a platform that helps children become published authors.
As reported by Birkenhead News, Harper Hawthorne, 9, has launched a platform called Story Wizard. The platform is for those aged seven to 14 and allows them to create their own stories, and then they're turned into illustrated books with their name on the cover. In another adorable touch, each child gets a certificate of recognition labelling them as a published author.
Harper wanted to write and publish stories of her own, so in collaboration with her dad, Martin, they developed the concept of the platform where the children's ideas are turned into a hardback book.
It all starts with the children's imagination, with their view on the characters, the setting, and plot. Illustrations are drawn based on their ideas.
And it doesn't stay online. The finished book is printed and delivered to the family's home if they want it. Best of all, deliveries across the UK are free.
What the platform aims to do is urge children to be creative and improve their literacy and confidence skills by using their imagination. Obviously, each book is different, so it gives children and little writers the space to create stories about anything they want.
Story Wizard supports UK schools, as £1 from every book donated goes to the Schools Creative Writing Fund to help provide books, stationery and creative writing resources across the UK.
And if you're wondering, Harper is in the double digits, publishing 10 books already.
The nine-year-old said: "I loved creating stories so asked my Dad if I could become an author. He is good with technology so we created a book together. I have now published 10 books. One is called The Secret Guardian Of Dibbinsdale, and it’s about my cat Lola protecting other animals. Another is called Buzzlebee Bob about a giant bee, and one is about a four-eyed blue fluffy monster and a shark."
Martin explained Harper always had ideas and stories she wanted to turn into books. They wanted to find a way to do that.
Being "tech-savvy", he started to try to create a platform where Harper could turn her ideas into books with her byline. Since the idea went down so well, they decided to turn it into a business.
Story Wizard books start from £21.99. The price includes a personalised printed book and certificate, as well as the no-cost UK delivery.
