Khaliah Booker, a senior at McCluer High School, can add “published author” to her list of extensive accomplishments. Booker introduced her novel “Of a Man” to McCluer students during a recent book signing, where she read an excerpt from the book and answered questions regarding her journey to becoming an author.
“I started ‘Of a Man’ when I was 14-years old,” said Booker, who drew her inspiration to write the novel from family, friends and her own experiences. “During a creative writing class, I created an outline for the novel that resulted in the finished product.”
Booker said she also took advantage of her participation in NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, which is held in November. NaNoWriMo allows students and adults across the county track their writing progress, join support groups, practice and edit their writing, and meet fellow writers online and in person. Booker connected with a fellow teen, who is also a published writer, and they have motivated and encouraged each other’s success.
“Of a Man” features Le’Darius Washington, a 24-year-old CEO of the Rock, a non-profit geared at bettering the community. Although he has huge responsibilities at work that make major impacts in the community, his home-life is the reason he wakes up. Family is his number one priority. His family is threatened and the novel tells his story of being a father, a friend and a man.
Booker said her mom is also a major supporter of her writing. “I had the choice of either buying a car or having my novel published,” she said. “My mom said, ‘A car is only temporary, but a published book will last long after the car is gone.’”
In addition to being a published author, Booker is a member of St. Louis ReCast, president of the Ferguson Youth Advisory Board, a member of the McCluer High International Thespian Society, GSA, Book Club, SLACKers and coordinator for the ACT Prep Club. She is also a self-described civil rights activist and believes that everyone should stand up for what they believe.
To get a copy of “Of a Man,” visit liahsnook.weebly.com.
