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WORK TITLE: The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner
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WEBSITE: https://erinstewartbooks.com/
CITY: Salt Lake City
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COUNTRY: United States
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PERSONAL
Married; children: three.
EDUCATION:Brigham Young University, bachelor’s degree; Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, master’s degree.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Journalist, writer, editor. Worked for several years as a government reporter for a newspaper in Salt Lake City, UT; became weekly columnist; freelance writer and editor.
AWARDS:Outstanding Works of Literature (OWL) Award for High School, BookPal, 2019, for Scars like Wings; Schneider Family Book Award for Young Adult, American Library Association, 2023, for The Words We Keep.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
[open new]With her deeply sympathetic novels Erin Stewart aims to help teenage and middle-grade readers feel understood, overcome difficult times, and make the most of life. Already in kindergarten, assignments of a few lines of prose would prompt Stewart to write pages. She reported to Elise Dumpleton of the Nerd Daily, “Luckily, I had a teacher who always encouraged me to keep going wherever the story took me!” Perhaps influenced by popular culture, her stories tended to conclude with tragic deaths and/or explosions, spurring her mother to wonder whether she needed a therapist. Later, in her adolescence, Stewart would find her well-being compromised by anxiety, especially perfectionism. In her reading life Stewart took great inspiration from Little Women, featuring writerly Jo March, which she told Dumpleton “was the first book I read that totally swept me up into the characters and their world, and it made me want to write realistic stories that showed all the pain and beauty in everyday life.” While harboring her love for creative writing, Stewart turned to journalism in attending Brigham Young University, in Utah, and earning a graduate degree from Northwestern, near Chicago. She then became a government reporter at a Salt Lake City newspaper.
In an interview with CanvasRebel, Stewart detailed her subsequent career transition: “When I left full-time reporting after I had my first child, my brain was bored. I craved creativity. And so, I started writing … picture books. And here’s the truth: they weren’t good. but I knew I wanted to write, so I decided instead of giving up on fiction writing, I would pivot. I began to read young adult novels voraciously, and spent four years writing my first novel. It was a pretty cliché science fiction that will never, ever see the light of day. But in writing it, … I learned the craft, little by little.” Attending workshops and conferences helped propel Stewart toward the publication of her first novel. She lives in Utah with her family.
In the fall of 2019 Stewart released her debut novel, Scars like Wings, about the tribulations of a sixteen-year-old burn survivor. Interviewing survivors in the course of her research, Stewart was especially inspired by Marius Woodward, whom she had met a decade earlier when he was eight years old. Marius was orphaned and severely burned by a house fire in Romania and then adopted by the family of a friend of Stewart’s. Despite dozens of surgeries and abundant scars, he was, as the author related in a Deseret News essay, “a smiling, vibrant young boy.”
In Scars like Wings, sixteen-year-old Ava has spent the last year enduring surgeries and skin grafts after surviving a fire that killed her parents and cousin Sarah. Taken in by Sarah’s parents, Ava needs coaxing to get out in the world again owing to her dissatisfaction with her scarred appearance. She agrees to a couple of weeks at a new school, where she decides to stick around upon becoming friends with Piper, a fellow burn survivor—who happens to be harboring a secret. Piper and Asad, a Pakistani American, help Ava find her way out of her shell by auditioning for the school play. Journal entries and poetry lend extra insight into the characters.
A Publishers Weekly reviewer praised Scars like Wings as a “sensitively handled story filled with relatable, three-dimensional characters.” Commending the research Stewart evidently conducted to write such an “insightful” novel, Nancy McKay affirmed in School Library Journal that Ava’s “journey toward healing … is thought-provoking” and that the story “will push readers to think deeply about empathy, hope, and resilience in the face of heartbreak.” A Kirkus Reviews writer proclaimed that Ava’s and Piper’s “wit, honesty, and strength shine with authenticity” and their struggles are “just the right amount of poignant” in this “tender, frank coming-of-age story about the pain and power of survival.”
The inspiration for Stewart’s next young-adult novel, The Words We Keep, came from mental health challenges that arose for her by adolescence. She explained to Good Reading: “This story came from a very personal place for me. I have struggled with various forms of anxiety throughout my life, and the one that’s always been there is the perfectionism anxiety that tells me I’m not good enough. Intrusive, negative thoughts have been a background soundtrack to much of my life.” Such struggles were not widely discussed when Stewart was a teen, leaving her to feel abnormal and isolated. In view of greater openness regarding mental health in the present day, Stewart hopes readers “who don’t know where to turn but are feeling trapped by their own minds” will feel less alone and find the support they need.
The drama in The Words We Keep is set in motion when Lily Larkin, track star and straight-A student, discovers older sister Alice in the midst of self-harm. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Alice is sent away for months-long treatment, while Lily finds her own tension rising and surfacing in panic attacks and spiraling thoughts. Offering support is Micah Mendez, who is battling depression, happened to meet Alice at the same treatment center, and partners with Lily on an explorative art project. When Alice’s return home leads to contentiousness, Lily reaches a make-or-break point in her own mental health.
Reviewing The Words We Keep in School Library Journal, Amanda Borgia appreciated how Stewart “isn’t afraid to address the negative, including self-harm and the stigma facing those with mental illness.” A Publishers Weekly reviewer enjoyed Lily’s “frank, forthcoming voice” and how her “love of words” is evident in her guerrilla poetry and “social media posts coining terms that should exist.” A Kirkus Reviews writer hailed The Words We Keep as a “sprawling, engrossing read, … mapping out the toll of anxiety disorder with scrupulous, clear-eyed detail” and, ultimately, an “overpowering sense of hope.”
Stewart made her middle-grade debut with The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner. Following her father’s death in a bus accident, twelve-year-old Zoey is fearful of buses, reluctant to leave her neighborhood, and diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Her favorite fantasy fiction—“The Magic of Ever After,” by Raven M. Wells, excerpted to open each chapter—lends inspiration, especially when a book signing leads to Zoey ending up with a pencil that magically makes what she writes come true. Reaching out to fantasy club president Derek, who has anxieties of his own, while trying to sustain friendship with Lena, Zoey must figure out how to write her own ending before the magic pencil gets sharpened out of existence.
A Publishers Weekly reviewer found The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner “bewitching,” as Zoey uses the classic “hero’s journey … as guidance in her endeavors to make amends, face her fears, and manage her anxiety.” A Kirkus Reviews writer declared that Zoey’s story “will comfort anyone” facing similar challenges, “reminding them to look for the pockets of joy in every day and inspiring them to discover their own forgotten magic.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2019, review of Scars like Wings; January 15, 2022, review of The Words We Keep; November 15, 2024, review of The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner; January 15, 2025, review of Every Borrowed Beat.
Publishers Weekly, August 19, 2019, review of Scars like Wings, p. 102; November 23, 2022, review of The Words We Keep, p. 116; October 7, 2024, review of The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner, p. 134.
School Library Journal, September, 2019, Nancy McKay, review of Scars like Wings, p. 126; February, 2022, Amanda Borgia, review of The Words We Keep, p. 86.
ONLINE
BookBratz, https://thebookbratz.blogspot.com/ (September 7, 2019), “Interview with 2019 Debut Erin Stewart!”
Bookseller, https://www.thebookseller.com/ (November 25, 2024), Maia Snow, “Rock the Boat to Publish ‘Luminous, Brilliant’ YA Novel by Erin Stewart.”
CanvasRebel, https://canvasrebel.com/ (November 22, 2023), “Meet Erin Stewart.”
Deseret News, https://www.deseret.com/ (September 25, 2019), Erin Stewart, “Debut Novel Is Dream Come True for This Mom.”
Erin Stewart website, https://erinstewartbooks.com (May 25, 2025).
Good Reading, https://goodreadingmagazine.com.au/ (April 1, 2022), “Meet Erin Stewart.”
Nerd Daily, https://thenerddaily.com/ (March 15, 2022), Elise Dumpleton, “Q&A: Erin Stewart, Author of ‘The Words We Keep.’”
About
Official bio:
Erin Stewart is the author of books for children including young adults novels SCARS LIKE WINGS and THE WORDS WE KEEP. Her debut middle-grade novel will hit shelves in January 2025.
Erin is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and a BYU undergraduate. Erin lives in Utah with her husband and three children. She is represented by the amazing Rebecca Sherman of Writer’s House.
Unofficial bio:
· My personality type is a neurotic extravert. It’s a thing, I swear.
· I firmly believe Hot Tamales should be a recognized food group.
· I’m a heart failure survivor.
· I have zero sense of personal space.
· My mom thought I needed a therapist in kindergarten because everyone always exploded at the end of my stories. Good news: My characters now have a slightly higher survival rate.
· I believe people are put in our path for a reason. Always.
FAQ: https://erinstewartbooks.com/faq/
Debut novel is dream come true for this mom
As I send my book baby into the world, I know I couldn’t have done it alone
Published: Sept 25, 2019, 8:00 a.m. MDT
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Erin Stewart, right, with Marius Woodward, a burn survivor. Provided by Erin Stewart
Erin Stewart
By Erin Stewart
Among writers, there is an expression we sometimes use to refer to the books that we launch into the world. We call them our book babies.
As both a mother and an author, I totally believe this analogy holds up because:
We spend months/years/a lifetime nurturing this little, vulnerable thing we’ve created.
Then, we send it out into the big, bad world where people bully them on the playground or leave scathing reviews on Goodreads.
And then, even though it’s been kind of a roller coaster and some days we question all our life choices because we’re not really sure we know what we’re doing, we decide it’s a good idea to create another one.
Next week, my first book baby comes out into the world. I am having all the emotions about this momentous milestone. I am in turns elated and terrified, proud and battling imposter syndrome, unable to sleep at night and totally exhausted during the day. So yes, kind of exactly like being a mom.
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“Scars Like Wings” took me a year and a half to write. The book tells the story of Ava, a 16-year-old burn survivor heading back to school a year after the fire. She fears no one will ever see her as anything but the burned girl, and she must choose if she’s going to stay angry and isolated or let people in and let the friends by her side help her fly.
I love this book and the journey I had to go on to create it. As I am about to send my baby into the world, here’s what I’ve learned along the way:
• My voice matters: Oftentimes in the trenches of motherhood, we focus so much on our children’s future, our children’s dream, our children’s voices, that we forget to listen to our own. In the past few years, I’ve realized that yes, I am a mom, but I am also a million other things. And my thoughts, and my words, matter to the world.
• You can’t have it all at the same time: Being an author and a mother is rough. When I spend time with my book and not my kids, I have mom guilt. When I play with my kids instead of working on my book, I have author guilt. It is never-ending. I’ve had to make my peace with this. I can’t be everything to everyone all at the same time. So some weeks, I’m in drafting or revision mode, and my husband takes over at home. We eat a lot of takeout. We ignore the mess. Other times, I put the book aside and focus on the moment with my children. That’s what balance looks like in our home.
• We need each other: I believe, more than ever, that no one can obtain their dreams alone. I know I couldn’t. I could not have written this book without the burn survivors who shared their stories with me so I could write this story. I could not have juggled motherhood and authorhood without my friends who took my kids while I wrote, or without the writer friends who rallied me on every step of the way.
And really, this idea of needing people and letting them into our lives is the lesson I keep learning over and over again as a writer, a mother and a human.
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When I started writing “Scars Like Wings,” I sat down with my friend, Marius Woodward, who was severely burned as a child. When I first met Marius 10 years earlier, he was only 8 years old. I expected to meet a victim. He had lived through unimaginable pain and dozens of surgeries. I knew his physical scars drew stares from strangers and cruel teasing from peers. How could he be anything but angry?
Instead, I met a smiling, vibrant young boy who wanted to show me his latest magic trick. Yes, Marius was burned. But he was also just a regular kid who loved card tricks and trampolines. I was immediately struck by Marius’ unwavering belief that he was so much more than his scars — so much more than his tragedy. I wondered, how does someone find this kind of strength in the face of so much pain?
For Marius, the answer was simple: He didn’t do it alone. When he wanted to give up, there was always someone there. A nurse. A friend. Someone helping him choose to live.
In “Scars Like Wings,” Ava’s story also begins with heartache, pain and loneliness. She doubts she’ll ever be “normal” again. But as she lets people in, she realizes she doesn’t have to face the pain alone. While her friends can’t fix her scars, they can find a new normal, together.
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The journey of writing this book has taught me again and again that we don’t need to face life alone. Whether we are a new mom staring down postpartum depression, an older mom facing an empty nest, or somewhere in the middle just trying to get by, we need our tribe.
Without a doubt, this book — this dream — of mine would not exist without the people by my side.
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To read more about “Scars Like Wings,” visit www.erinstewartbooks.com, or to preorder visit getunderlined.com/books/600225/scars-like-wings-by-erin-stewart/#popup-excerpt
From stretch marks to the latest news for moms, Erin Stewart discusses it all while her three children dive-bomb off the couch behind her.
Interview With 2019 Debut Erin Stewart!
Sep 7, 2019
In 2019 our goal is to work with as many debut authors as possible and spread the word about their debut novels. Follow us this year as we pick the mind of the 2019 debuts and chat with them. Also stay tuned for news of giveaways, Twitter chats and more!
Last year, we Tweeted about wanting to discover more debut authors and their books. We ended up finding Erin Stewart and her novel SCARS LIKE WINGS, and we have been interested in it ever since. We are so excited to have Erin on the blog today to answer some of our questions!
About Erin!
Erin Stewart
Erin Stewart is the author of SCARS LIKE WINGS, her debut novel. Erin is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and a BYU undergraduate who works as a freelance writer and editor, as well as a weekly columnist in Salt Lake City.
Keep up with Erin: Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Instagram
Interview!
The Book Bratz: First of all, congratulations! How does it feel to be a debut author?
Erin: Honestly, it still feels surreal! When you’ve worked on something so long, and then it finally happens, it’s hard to wrap your brain around it. I’m not even sure it will feel real when the book is on the shelf!
The Book Bratz: In your opinion, what is the best part of the writing process? What's the hardest?
Erin: The best part is definitely when you find the heart of your story. I usually think I know what my book is about when I start outlining and write a few chapters, but then inevitably, somewhere around the middle of my first draft, I have an a-ha moment when I realize what the story really is. It’s a very clouds-parting, rays-of-sunshine-straight-from-heaven kind of moment. I wish I could bottle up that feeling and let myself take a whiff every time I have doubts about my writing!
The Book Bratz: What made you want to write SCARS LIKE WINGS?
Erin: About 10 years ago, I met a boy named Marius, who was burned in a house fire in Romania. The fire left him orphaned, and he was adopted by my friend’s family so he could get treatment in America. Marius was severely, severely burned and has had hundreds of surgeries to reconstruct his face and hands. But even as that little 8-year-old boy in a new country, learning a new language, getting used to a new face, he always has this unwavering belief that he was so much more than his scars. So much more than his tragedy. He was – and is – truly amazing. I knew the first time I met him that I would write a story about a burn survivor finding the beauty in the ashes. Here’s a short video about Marius!
The Book Bratz: What was the hardest part of this book to write? Why?
Erin: The hardest thing was making sure I represented the burn survivor community in a dignified, but authentic way. I am very aware that I am an outsider writing about a vulnerable community, so I made sure to include survivors in my process from the very beginning. Marius was there from the start, but I also talked with other survivors and doctors and nurses to make sure I was depicting life after a severe burn realistically and respectfully.
The Book Bratz: Who was your favorite character to write? Who was the hardest?
Erin: Asad [was the favorite]. Hands-down. Asad befriends the main character, Ava, when she returns to school after being out for a year recovering from her injuries. Asad is the friend everybody deserves in their life. He’s sarcastic, witty and just a good guy. Even when he and Ava hit some rough times in their relationship, he is still there for her, quoting Broadway lines and being his hilarious self. The hardest character was probably Kenzie, who has some “mean girl” style run-ins with Ava. The hard part here was that I wanted to steer clear of any stereotypical mean-girl behavior because this whole book is about going beyond those labels. I wanted to make sure Kenzie, even though she wasn’t a main character, was fleshed out well enough that the reader could hate some of her behaviors, but also understand that she’s in pain, too, and has her own scars.
The Book Bratz: What do you hope readers will take from reading SCARS LIKE WINGS?
Erin:I hope SCARS LIKE WINGS gives readers a glimpse into what someone else might be going through, and that they come away from this book as more empathetic humans. For anyone who has ever felt uncomfortable in their own skin, I want them to know they’re not alone. And for readers who have lived through their own traumas, I hope they see in Ava’s story that finding a new normal after trauma depends so much on the love we are willing to let in—and give out in return. We can’t fix each other’s scars, but we can be stronger together.
The Book Bratz: Do you plan on returning to the world of SCARS LIKE WINGS in the future, or do you have other projects in mind? Can you tell us anything about them?
Erin: I feel good about where I left Ava’s story, so I think I’ve closed the final page on SCARS LIKE WINGS. I am working on a new YA contemporary that I can’t talk about yet, but soon!
About SCARS LIKE WINGS!
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Title: Scars Like Wings
Author: Erin Stewart
Publisher: Delacorte
Publication Date: October 1st, 2019
Summary: Ava Lee has lost everything there is to lose: Her parents. Her best friend. Her home. Even her face. She doesn't need a mirror to know what she looks like--she can see her reflection in the eyes of everyone around her. A year after the fire that destroyed her world, her aunt and uncle have decided she should go back to high school. Be "normal" again. Whatever that is. Ava knows better. There is no normal for someone like her. And forget making friends--no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl, now or ever. But when Ava meets a fellow survivor named Piper, she begins to feel like maybe she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone. Sarcastic and blunt, Piper isn't afraid to push Ava out of her comfort zone. Piper introduces Ava to Asad, a boy who loves theater just as much as she does, and slowly, Ava tries to create a life again. Yet Piper is fighting her own battle, and soon Ava must decide if she's going to fade back into her scars . . . or let the people by her side help her fly.
Thank you so much to Erin for stopping by and answering our questions! We are super excited about SCARS LIKE WINGS and can't wait for it to be out in the world on October 1st!
Meet Erin Stewart
Article | Issue: Apr 2022
Erin Stewart Author
ERIN STEWART is the author of the YA novel Scars Like Wings. Good Reading caught up with the author about the importance of discussing your mental health in her latest novel The Words We Keep, a moving story about mental health and the healing powers of friendship and art.
Your novel The Words We Keep explores various mental health issues and highlights the stigma surrounding them. What inspired it?
This story came from a very personal place for me. I have struggled with various forms of anxiety throughout my life, and the one that’s always been there is the perfectionism anxiety that tells me I’m not good enough. Intrusive, negative thoughts have been a background soundtrack to much of my life. As a teenager, we didn’t talk about anxiety like we do know, so I thought it was just a problem with me. But now, I understand that my mental health struggles are a part of me, but they don’t define me. I may not necessarily love that part of myself, but I also don’t have to let it fuel self-hatred. So I wanted to write a book that would resonate with teenagers like me, who don’t know where to turn but are feeling trapped by their own minds. I want them to know that they are worthy of being loved for exactly who they are. That their struggles don’t define them either, and they deserve help.
Through your character Lily, you explore how nuanced mental illness is and how it’s not always noticeable to others. Why was it important to you to highlight the spectrum of experiences?
It was so important to me to get the representation right. I drew on my own experience, but I was lucky to have several people with life experience and doctors talk with me to make sure I captured mental health in a respectful and accurate way. So often, these kinds of issues are thrown into a book to be sensational or to create two-dimensional, stereotyped characters. I definitely did not want to do that! For me, tackling mental health was all about showing that yes, it’s a major issue that needs to be addressed, but these characters are so much more than that. They have dreams and desires and talents and a whole life beyond mental health.
Why is it critical to discuss your mental health?
Because we need each other! No one can go through anxiety or depression or any mental health issues alone. Too often we try to keep everything inside so we look perfect from the outside, but like Micah says, ‘Perfect is boring.’ The more we talk about the issues we are having, the more we realise that pretty much everyone else has them, too. I’ve had readers tell me this book made them feel seen, which is exactly what I hoped it would do. Knowing we are not alone makes the journey seem less dark and less daunting. It also helps us realize that we do not need to be fixed because we are not broken. We are simply human.
What do you hope reader’s will take away from your character Micah and his battle with depression?
I just love Micah. I hope that readers see in Micah that you still have a choice in how you live your life and who you are even if you’ve been through severe depression, suicidal ideation, or any other struggles. Micah has been to the darkest depths of depression, and yet he fights every day to be more than the ‘boy who almost jumped.’ He realises he has so much more worth and so much more to his story than his darkest moment. And even though he’s still struggling, he chooses to get up and fight for his life every day.
When Lily and Micah embark on a school project together, they both find solace in their writing and art. In what ways has writing helped you?
Art and writing can be so therapeutic! Writing this book was so difficult for me because I had to face a lot of the anxieties and issues that I’ve been living with but not really discussing for many years. But it was also cathartic and wonderful for me to look at who I am and to own my anxiety publicly. It feels freeing and empowering. Using art or writing to share your story is such a great way to process your trauma, but also to let others know they are not alone. So get your story out there – say something!
What advice would you give to your readers who might be struggling with their mental health?
Ask for help. You are worth it. You deserve it. You are loved.
Q&A: Erin Stewart, Author of ‘The Words We Keep’
Elise Dumpleton·Writers Corner·March 15, 2022·5 min read
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A beautifully realistic, relatable story about mental health and the healing powers of art–perfect for fans of Girl in Pieces and How it Feels to Float.
We chat with author Erin Stewart about her latest release The Words We Keep, along with 2022 book recommendations, writing, and more!
Hi, Erin! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m a young adult author who lives in Utah with my husband, three children and super needy goldendoodle. My new YA contemporary, THE WORDS WE KEEP, comes out March 15! I’m a heart failure survivor, a hot tamale addict, have zero sense of personal space and firmly believe people are put in our path for a reason—always! I’m also the author of the 2019 young adult novel SCARS LIKE WINGS.
How has 2022 been for you so far?
Probably like it’s been for everyone else… a trash fire inside a dumpster rolling down a hill into a bigger fire.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I’ve been writing since I was in kindergarten—pages and pages when we were supposed to write a few lines. Luckily, I had a teacher who always encouraged me to keep going wherever the story took me! My stories always ended in some sort of tragic death or explosion, however, and my mother thought I needed a therapist. Good news: my characters now have a slightly higher survival rate. Sidenote: everyone needs a therapist!
I took a detour into journalism during my college years and early career, but I never lost my love of creative writing and was so happy to find my way back to it in the last ten years.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
Definitely Little Women. I know that’s kind of a cliché for a writer to say because we all secretly believe we are like Jo March, but it’s true. That was the first book I read that totally swept me up into the characters and their world, and it made me want to write realistic stories that showed all the pain and beauty in everyday life.
Your new novel, The Words We Keep, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Raw, poetry, beauty, anxiety, love.
What can readers expect?
THE WORDS WE KEEP is definitely real; I didn’t want to shy away from any of the truth about living with anxiety or other mental health struggles. Throughout the story, Lily, the main character, struggles with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, perfectionism and feeling like she’s responsible for holding herself and family together after her sister’s self-harming incident. So, readers can expect authenticity about the darkness of these topics, but also a story that is ultimately hopeful. There is a lot of love and laughter and light in Lily’s life (especially in her makeout scenes with Micah!). The book is also full of art and poetry in unexpected places that help Lily and Micah and a lot of their silently struggling classmates to express themselves. I hope readers that have similar struggles will leave this story feeling less alone, and readers who don’t will leave with more empathy for others.
Where did the inspiration for The Words We Keep come from?
This story came from a very personal place for me. I have struggled with various forms of anxiety throughout my life, and the one that’s always been there is the perfectionism anxiety that tells me I’m not good enough. Intrusive, negative thoughts have been a background soundtrack to much of my life. As a teenager, we didn’t talk about anxiety like we do know, so I thought it was just a problem with me. But now, I understand that my mental health struggles are a part of me, but they don’t define me. I may not necessarily love that part of myself, but I also don’t have to let it fuel self-hatred. So I wanted to write a book that would resonate with teenagers like me, who don’t know where to turn but are feeling trapped by their own minds. I want them to know that they are worthy of being loved for exactly who they are. That their struggles don’t define them either, and they deserve help.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
The biggest challenge was definitely doing a deep dive into my own history with anxiety. It’s something I’ve tried not to face for so many years because like Lily, admitting I needed help went against every perfectionism fiber of who I am. So looking into these parts of myself while creating these characters was painful at times, but also so, so beautiful and healing.
See also
Q&A: Elise Bryant, Author of ‘One True Loves’
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Micah. Micah. Micah. I just love him. He was such a fun character to write and added so much light and positivity to the story. He has his own troubles, too, of course, but I love the way he processes the trauma he’s been through. He knows he still has choices in life, that he is more than his diagnosis, even if the world can’t see it.
I also really loved writing the relationship between Lily and her two sisters, Alice and Margot. Alice is back from a treatment center, so she and Lily are tiptoeing around each other for a while, afraid to say the wrong thing. But the three sisters really do love each other, and it was so enjoyable to write them back into each other’s lives and hearts. I have two sisters as well (I’m the middle!), so I drew on a lot of my sweet (and let’s be honest, not so sweet) moments from growing up to make these sibling relationships feel real.
The Words We Keep delves into mental health. Can you tell us about tackling such a heavy and challenging topic?
It was rough. Not only for me like I mentioned above, but because it’s so important to get the representation right. I was lucky to have several people with life experience and doctors talk with me to make sure I captured mental health in a respectful and accurate way. So often, these kinds of issues are thrown into a book to be sensational or to create two-dimensional, stereotyped characters. I definitely did not want to do that! For me, tackling mental health was all about showing that yes, it’s a major issue that needs to be addressed, but these characters are so much more than that. They have dreams and desires and talents and a whole life beyond mental health.
What’s next for you?
I’m plotting my next YA right now! It’s a little bit of a different vein for me, but I’m very excited about it! I also took the last year to write a middle-grade book with a touch of magic that I’m pumped about. Basically, I’m trying new things and loving it!
Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?
Always! And there are SO many amazing books coming out this year! I’ve already read THIS MIGHT GET AWKWARD by Kara J. McDowell (another great anxiety rep with a fun storyline!) I’m looking forward to having some time to read GOLDEN BOYS by Phil Stamper, AN ARROW TO THE MOON by Emily X.R. Pan and THE AGATHAS by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson.
Meet Erin Stewart
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Stories & Insights
November 22, 2023
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Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erin Stewart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Erin, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
When a teen reader picks up one of my books, my hope is that they see themselves in the pages. To do that, I have to be raw and honest and not shy away from the tough topics that people don’t always talk about. That has always been my mission as a writer—to make people feel seen. So, I would also hope that is my legacy. I hope readers continue to find my books and connect with my characters. I hope that long after I’m gone, my words will still resonate with that teenager who is feeling alone, who is feeling like no one else in the world has been where they have been. That could be the kid who is secretly self-harming, or the one who has perfect grades but is quietly drowning in anxiety. I want my books to be that lifeline for them, to let them know they are most definitely not alone, they are not broken, and they definitely deserve love, help and the chance to speak up.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I write contemporary novels for teens readers, and my books have become known as raw stories that don’t shy away from tough topics.
I actually started my career in journalism, which in many ways prepared me to be an author. My first novel took me four years to write because I had to teach myself how to write a novel, something I essentially had no training to do. That first novel never sold (and in all honesty, was kind of terrible), but finishing it gave me the education I needed to move forward and write my second novel, which was bought by Random House and became SCARS LIKE WINGS.
About a teenage girl who survived a fire and is trying to find her new normal as a burn survivor, SCARS LIKE WINGS also sold in more than 17 different countries, became an Amazon editor’s pick and the winner of the annual BookPal Outstanding Work of Literature award.
My next book, THE WORDS WE KEEP, focuses on anxiety/perfectionism as it follows 17-year-old Lily through the ups and downs of living with mental health struggles. The book won the American Library Association’s Schneider award for the best use of artistic expression to portray the disability experience. Receiving this honor was a huge moment for me as an author. To have a book about anxiety and mental health be recognized for disability representation is a great step forward to recognizing, legitimizing and treating mental health issues. For many people like Lily, anxiety can become a debilitating and shameful experience. Since writing this book, I have received many messages from teen readers saying how they felt like Lily’s story was also their story. They tell me how they didn’t know other people experienced the same kind of mental health struggles as they did, and that THE WORDS WE KEEP made them feel seen and validated. There is nothing more amazing to hear as an author!
My next Young Adult novel, EVERY BORROWED BEAT, comes out in 2025 and draws on my experience as a heart failure survivor. About a teen girl who goes searching for her donor after a heart transplant, this novel is about second chances and first loves.
I also have my first middle-grade novel coming out in 2025 with Simon & Schuster. This novel, THE FORGOTTEN MAGIC OF ZOEY TURNER, was a little different for me. While it deals with some familiar themes of anxiety, it also has a spark of magic!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Before my first book was published, I had a lot of unrealistic (and untrue) ideas about the publishing industry. I believed that once you received that first book deal, it was all smooth sailing from there. The book deals would keep rolling in. Sales would be good. My dreams of becoming a well-known and bestselling author would magically come to fruition.
Not so.
While getting that first book deal is a major accomplishment and a big step toward many of these lofty goals, it is just that—a first step. There is never smooth sailing when it comes to publishing. Markets are always changing. Trends come and go. Sales are fickle. And the bottom line, is publishing is a business. Yes, the creatives like me want to just write the “books of our heart” and not think about budgets and sales and money, but once you start publishing, the creative and business side are connected.
Authors, even bestselling ones, have to constantly hustle to stay relevant, to get that next book deal and to write the next novel. There are no guarantees that sales will be good or that the next novel will even get under contract.
So while this all sounds a little depressing, learning that being an author would always be an uphill climb that would depend heavily on changing markets and bottom lines allowed me to reprioritize what I viewed as “success.” And what I’ve learned is that each victory, each book deal, each finished novel is a success all in it’s own. I can’t control the bestseller lists or whether my stories will continue to be snatched up by publishers, but I can control my work. I can keep creating new worlds. I can keep dreaming. I can do what I do best—write.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I actually started my writing career in journalism. I went to the Medill School of Journalism for my master’s degree, and then worked as a government reporter at a Salt Lake City paper for several years. I loved the fast-paced environment, and that I was able to tell stories.
When I left full-time reporting after I had my first child, my brain was bored. I craved creativity. And so, I started writing…picture books. And here’s the truth: they weren’t good. but I knew I wanted to write, so I decided instead of giving up on fiction writing, I would pivot. I began to read young adult novels voraciously, and spent four years writing my first novel. It was a pretty cliche science fiction that will never, ever see the light of day. But in writing it, I learned how to write a novel start to finish. I attended workshops and conferences and met other writers. I learned the craft, little by little.
Now, after three young adult books with Random House, I find myself in another era of pivoting. I am venturing into the world of middle grade books, a younger audience than my usual teen novels. The change has been difficult, but also exhilarating. And that’s kind of how it is in writing, or in any career. We pivot to stay relevant. We pivot to keep our brains entertained. We pivot because an idea hits us in the middle of the night and even though it’s new and scary and uncertain, we can’t stop thinking about it.
Contact Info:
Website: www.erinstewartbooks.com
Instagram: erin_n_stewart
Twitter: erin_n_stewart
Rock the Boat to publish 'luminous, brilliant' YA novel by Erin Stewart
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Nov 25, 2024
by Maia Snow
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Rock the Boat, an imprint of Oneworld, is set to publish a "luminous, brilliant" YA novel by Erin Stewart. Editorial director Shadi Doostdar acquired UK and British Commonwealth rights, including audio, to Every Borrowed Beat from Alessandra Birch on behalf of Rebecca Sherman at Writers House. The book will be published in paperback original on 13th March 2025.
The book follows Sydney Wells after a heart transplant, as she "can’t help thinking about who her donor might have been". The synopsis continues: "Sydney concludes she was a girl who died tragically in a nearby town. Desperate for closure, she attends the girl’s memorial service and meets her best friend: a boy who makes Sydney’s new heart race."
Stewart is the author of Scars Like Wings and The Words We Keep and is a heart failure survivor herself.
She said: "Every Borrowed Beat grew from my own experience with heart failure, but I hope for readers, it is about so much more than one disease or issue. It’s about moving forward, taking the good with us and seeing the beauty in every single beat of life. I was thrilled that this story landed with the amazing team at Rock the Boat, who immediately connected with my characters and with these themes of life, love and letting go."
Doostdar said: "Erin Stewart writes beautiful, poignant novels that really capture the teen experience, and Every Borrowed Beat is no exception. This is a heartwarming story about the importance of friendship and of loving and living without fear. It is also about a 17-year-old who has missed out on the hallmarks of adolescence—an experience that so many young adults post-pandemic can relate to."
STEWART, Erin. Scars Like Wings. 384p. Delacorte. Oct. 2019. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781984848826.
Gr 7 Up--Ava has endured a soul-crushing tragedy--her parents and cousin perished in a house fire, leaving Ava the sole survivor but with terrible burns all over her body. One year later she is released from the hospital to live with her aunt and uncle, after enduring painful skin grafts and surgeries. Ava is encouraged to go back to high school but she resists, knowing her considerable scars will make it hard to make friends. In a support group, she meets Piper, another burn survivor from her new school, and the two girls bond while trying to navigate their new realities. Ava gets involved with the school play, but she has to endure the cruelties of some, while also discovering new allies and a resolve she never knew she had. The research that debut author Stewart did to write such an insightful book about burn recovery is evident. She capably shows how Ava and her aunt and uncle come together to form a new family unit despite crushing grief. Stewart also captures the highs and lows of teen friendship. An interesting facet of the relationship between Ava and Piper is the often unhealthy dynamic between the two, which could push teens to explore where they would draw boundaries between friends. VERDICT Ava's journey toward healing, both physically and mentally, is thought-provoking. Not all scars are evident to the eye, and this narrative will push readers to think deeply about empathy, hope, and resilience in the face of heartbreak.--Nancy McKay, Byron Public Library, IL
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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McKay, Nancy. "STEWART, Erin. Scars Like Wings." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 8, Sept. 2019, p. 126. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A597859062/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6aaf4688. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Scars Like Wings
Erin Stewart. Delacorte, $18.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-9848-4882-6
It's been a year since high school junior Ava escaped the fire that left her badly burned and took the lives of her closest loved ones: both her parents and her cousin Sarah. Nineteen surgeries later, Ava still feels as if she looks like a "monster," but her doctor and new guardians, Sarah's grieving parents, think it's time she return to school. Unable to face her old friends, Ava enrolls in a different school, where she's fully prepared for cruel reactions to her appearance. What she doesn't expect to find are two companions who refuse to let her retreat into isolation: Piper, a fellow burn survivor who harbors a secret, and Pakistani-American Asad, who shares Ava's passion for theater. Together, they coax Ava into auditioning for the school play and letting her talents shine. First-time author Stewart writes a sensitively handled story filled with relatable, three-dimensional characters. Without sugarcoating or overdramatizing her protagonists' circumstances, she focuses on the internal challenges of survivors profoundly affected by trauma. Enhanced by journal entries and poetry, the first-person narrative movingly expresses Ava's lingering sorrow and changing outlook as she navigates her way toward a new form of normalcy. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 PWxyz, LLC
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"Scars Like Wings." Publishers Weekly, vol. 266, no. 33, 19 Aug. 2019, p. 102. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A597616533/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3f8c78d1. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Stewart, Erin SCARS LIKE WINGS Delacorte (Young Adult Fiction) $18.99 10, 1 ISBN: 978-1-9848-4882-6
Although 16-year-old Ava Lee survived a fire, she's not sure if she has the strength to survive returning to high school.
Ava is the only survivor of the fire that killed her mother, father, and cousin, Sara. After a year of painful recovery, Ava's doctor and her aunt, Cora, who is Sara's mother, tell her that it's time to go back to school. Ava reluctantly agrees to try it for two weeks; after the trial period, she is determined to return to her solitary routine, taking classes online and avoiding looking in the mirror. But at school she unexpectedly befriends Piper, a fellow burn survivor with a dark secret. Together, Ava and Piper struggle to be normal--or, at least, as close as they can get to it. Debut author Stewart's research into the experiences of burn survivors shows: Ava's and Piper's wit, honesty, and strength shine with authenticity, and their struggle to understand how to be "ordinary" teenagers is just the right amount of poignant. Stewart treats the appearances of her disabled characters--and, in particular, their ravaged skin--with care, never sugarcoating the truth but also never resorting to condescension or pity. Unfortunately, Asad, the only character of color in the book, is repeatedly referred to as having "hazelnut" skin, a departure that is notable because of its contrast to the descriptions of white characters.
A tender, frank coming-of-age story about the pain and power of survival. (Fiction. 14-18)
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"Stewart, Erin: SCARS LIKE WINGS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Aug. 2019. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A594857407/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=75719616. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
STEWART, Erin. The Words We Keep. 400p. Delacorte. Mar. 2022. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781984848864.
Gr 9 Up--Three months ago, Lily, hinted at as white, found her older sister Alice on the bathroom floor having hurt herself. Since then, Lily has been trying to keep things together for her family and herself. However, she is thrown for a loop when Alice comes home from treatment earlier than expected. Then there's Micah, Lily's partner for a school poetry and art assignment and Alice's friend from treatment. Micah, who is Latino, is determined to get Lily to process what Alice has gone through and her experience. Lily also has her own secrets, and the project she and Micah embark on may help bring them to light. Told entirely from Lily's perspective, this story explores not only one's own mental health but also the impact it has on those around them. Stewart authentically presents the subject matter and isn't afraid to address the negative, including self-harm and the stigma facing those with mental illness. This book's message--that people with mental illnesses are still human and trying to deal with their own problems of friends, family, and romance--is thoughtfully handled. Lily and Micah use poetry and art to express and explore their mental health, and Stewart presents it in a superb manner that allows readers to process and explore their thoughts and feelings. Certain aspects maybe triggering for some, but those who can handle the subject matter are likely to find value in it. VERDICT An excellent choice for library collections and book discussions.--Amanda Borgia
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Borgia, Amanda. "STEWART, Erin. The Words We Keep." School Library Journal, vol. 68, no. 2, Feb. 2022, p. 86. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A692875680/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4d77854c. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
The Words We Keep
Erin Stewart. Delacorte, $18.99 (400p) ISBN 978-1-9848-4886-4
In a novel that effectively shows how stigma can keep people from speaking up about mental health (including self-harm and suicidal ideation), perfectionist Lily Larkin, 16, lives in two worlds. In one, she gets straight As and wins races in track; in the other, her "brain is breaking and my sister is in a rehab center because hers already broke." Things become increasingly difficult when Lily begins experiencing panic attacks and thought spirals, and she's partnered on a school project with Micah Mendez, who knows her sister Alice from the treatment center where she's staying following an incident of self-harm. The sisters' relationship is strained when Alice, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, returns home, but Mexican American Micah, who lives with depression, and cued-white Lily grow closer as they work on a guerrilla poetry and art project prompting students to speak their truth. In Lily's frank, forthcoming voice, Stewart (Scars Like Wings) mingles Lily's love of words--blackout poetry, social media posts coining terms that should exist--with specific descriptions of anxiety disorder-related
distress that will resonate with many readers. An author's note includes mental health support resources. Ages 12-up.
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"The Words We Keep." Publishers Weekly, vol. 269, no. 49, 23 Nov. 2022, p. 116. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A728494035/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=351e1020. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Stewart, Erin THE WORDS WE KEEP Delacorte (Teen None) $18.99 3, 15 ISBN: 978-1-984848-86-4
Following the discovery of her older sister, Alice, self-harming on the bathroom floor, Lily grapples with her own increasingly perilous mental health.
Burdened with an ultrarigid academic schedule and a perfectionist's mindset, Lily Larkin, a 16-year-old implied White girl, daily fends off pervasive anxiety and intrusive thoughts. For Lily, all her extra hard work means survival: "I can stop my family--and myself--from unraveling." When she learns that Alice (diagnosed with bipolar disorder) will be returning home after two months of treatment, Lily braces herself for the reappearance of a sister she might not recognize. At school, she reluctantly garners the attention of Micah Mendez, a Mexican American boy hounded by depression and a troubled past. Micah, it seems, knows all about Lily thanks to his time at the same treatment center as Alice. Paired for a school art project, Lily and Micah grow closer, drawing on the power of words to express their truths to each other--and even their peers--in anonymous art installations. Lily, meanwhile, finds it hard to reestablish a relationship with Alice even as false starts send the sisters spiraling into potential calamity. A sprawling, engrossing read, Stewart's latest succeeds in mapping out the toll of anxiety disorder with scrupulous, cleareyed detail. It's mostly a hard, messy path for Lily, laden with moments of self-violence and acute tension. Above all, however, there's an overpowering sense of hope underlined by an achingly sincere message: Speak up and get help if needed.
Indispensably candid. (author's note, resources) (Fiction. 12-18)
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"Stewart, Erin: THE WORDS WE KEEP." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Jan. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A689339993/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f991b625. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner
Erin Stewart. Aladdin, $17.99 (320p) ISBN 978-1-6659-5225-5
Stewart (The Words We Keep) depicts mental health challenges with a touch of magic in this bewitching tale, a middle grade debut. Following her father's death in a bus accident, 12-year-old Zoey is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Now she struggles to get on buses and hesitates to venture beyond her neighborhood. When she procures a new pencil that seems to make the stories she writes a reality, she endeavors to write her way out of her anxiety. But getting used to the pencil's power is trickier than anticipated, and the more magic she uses, the smaller the utensil gets. As Zoey grapples with this temporary power, she also navigates changing relationships, a budding friendship, and her mother's new romance. Quotes from Zoey's invented fantasy novel, The Magic of Ever After--which stars a blue-haired warrior who combats enemies in a magical kingdom--open each chapter. Zoey calls upon her imagined protagonist's bravery and uses aspects of the hero's journey ("This right here, what we just did, it's called the ordeal") as guidance in her endeavors to make amends, face her fears, and manage her anxiety. Zoey cues as white. Ages 10--up. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Jan.)
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"The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner." Publishers Weekly, vol. 271, no. 38, 7 Oct. 2024, p. 134. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A812513532/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5739f3ba. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Stewart, Erin THE FORGOTTEN MAGIC OF ZOEY TURNER Aladdin (Children's None) $17.99 1, 14 ISBN: 9781665952255
Terrifying statistics run through Zoey's mind day and night, controlling her decisions.
After her father dies in a bus accident, anxiety-ridden 12-year-old Zoey Turner, who presents white, spends her summer escaping into the familiar world of her favorite fantasy series, the Magic of Ever After by Raven M. Wells. When a book signing ends in a panic attack, Zoey receives a pencil allegedly belonging to Wells herself. Zoey writes a story with the pencil, which seems innocent enough until the next day, when the events of her story happen in real life. Always the type to practice extreme caution, the nervous seventh grader asks Derek Beal, the redheaded president of a fantasy club with his own anxieties and fears, for help in how best to use her new magic. She keeps the pencil a secret from everyone else in her life, even her Lebanese American best friend, Lena. Zoey fears losing Lena when secrets and fears begin to separate them. As Zoey sharpens the pencil with each new story, her chances of writing the perfect ending dwindle away. She'll need to find her own magic before it's too late. This emotional narrative skillfully informs readers about anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder and will comfort anyone facing challenges similar to the main characters', reminding them to look for the pockets of joy in every day and inspiring them to discover their own forgotten magic.
Hope prevails in this story, filled with a resounding authenticity.(Fantasy. 10-13)
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"Stewart, Erin: THE FORGOTTEN MAGIC OF ZOEY TURNER." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Nov. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A815560481/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=915884ee. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Stewart, Erin EVERY BORROWED BEAT Delacorte (Teen None) $19.99 3, 11 ISBN: 9780593710661
Convinced she's identified her donor, a Utah heart transplant recipient investigates the girl's life.
Four months ago, 17-year-old Sydney Wells got a second chance at life thanks to a donor's heart. After some sleuthing, Sydney's sure that donor is Mia Stoddard, who died in a flash flood. Compelled to learn about Mia so "this heart won't feel like such a stranger," Sydney crashes her memorial. There, Clayton Cooper, Mia's best friend, asks Sydney to help him honor her by completing a vision board with a series of bucket list photos Mia took--the perfect opportunity for Sydney, who's pretending to be Mia's online friend, to gather information. As Sydney recreates the depicted scenes with Clayton and posts Mia's photos on Instagram to inspire others to take risks, she realizes that "working on this Mia project has given me a purpose again." But focusing on Mia threatens her long-distance friendship with fellow heart patient Chloe Munoz, who's desperately awaiting a heart yet is always ready with advice. And if Clayton learns Sydney's true motive for helping, their flirtatious budding romance could disappear. Stewart, a self-described "heart failure survivor," poignantly explores the occasionally brutal realities of organ donation and transplant for patients and their families, particularly survivor's guilt and grief. While Sydney and Clayton are multifaceted, Mia's portrayal, which is filtered through others' perceptions and the inspiration people derive from her life, occasionally feels less well-rounded. Most characters read white; Chloe is cued Latine.
Alternately heart-wrenching and heartwarming.(Fiction. 14-18)
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"Stewart, Erin: EVERY BORROWED BEAT." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Jan. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A823102302/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c5afa496. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.