For many, the dream of writing and publishing a book can take years to achieve, but North Garner Middle School student Mariya Hunter has made that dream come true at just 11 years old. Hunter says publishing a book was always a goal and she spent much of her childhood reading and writing stories in hopes of having them published one day. 

Mariya J, a 12-year-old writer with strong Warren County ties, published her first book, “Lucile and the BIG RACE,” last year and already has another on the way.

Mariya's story began when she entered a writing contest at school. Her mom recorded her reading it and honestly the rest was history