A Flowering Talent: First-Year Student Publishes Book

Most first-year students spend their first semester settling into their new dorms and exploring their newfound freedom. Though he’s not one to shout it from the rooftops, Lebanon Valley College student Khalil Brim ’21 did all that, PLUS he published his first novel.

Brim, an English major, began writing his novel, “The Flower of the Valencia,” in his high school creative writing class. He wrote the prologue in January 2017 and then drafted the novel between February and July of that same year. Brim describes the novel as a work of fantasy fiction about two female protagonists named Ava and Raven. Though adversaries at the start, the two girls discover that they have a common enemy, whom they come together to defeat. 

Once Brim finished writing, he began to research publishing options. He eventually settled on Xlibris, a self-publishing company. Brim described the publishing process as being “really hectic and tiring.”

Brim dedicated the book to his grandmother, mother, and sister, whom he says are the major supports in his life. “I don’t do it for myself,” Brim said. “I do it for them.”

“The Flower of the Valencia” was officially published Dec. 13, 2017.

“It was unreal to get a book in hand…to hold it and to know that every blot of ink, every space, character, period, and punctuation came from me,” Brim said.

Though he has already written the prologue, Brim is excited to lead book talks at high schools in his hometown of Baltimore before he digs into writing his next book. Brim looks forward to continuing to meet people and learn their stories during his time at The Valley. 

“I think that coming to LVC will open me up to new experiences that I can write about,” Brim said.

Brim recently hosted a book signing event on campus. “The Flower of the Valencia” can be purchased at https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001163993.

 

-- Megan Marron, Communications Assistant