WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Dalton alum publishes book
Kayla VanKirk, 2021 Dalton High graduate, began the young adult science fiction mystery, “Grasping at Embers,” in middle school. She has worked on it consistently since then and took the plunge and self-published it. The book can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites.
Those who are interested in updates and more information can visit www.booksbykaylavankirk.com or follow her on Instagram @kayla.l.vankirkofficial.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
A Dalton alumna took the plunge and self-published her first book. Now she is steadily booking author signing events and already working on her next project.
Kayla VanKirk, a 2021 Dalton High graduate, began the young adult science fiction mystery, “Grasping at Embers,” in middle school and consistently worked on it since then.
“My middle school and high school ELA teachers all encouraged me to keep writing, and that encouragement helped me pursue writing even after I graduated high school in 2021,” VanKirk said in an email. “I went to Kent State for college, getting my bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education, but since writing kept calling to me, I ended up adding creative writing on as a minor. I worked with my creative writing professors and classmates to help strengthen my skills in the craft, and polished up my final drafts of “Grasping at Embers” my senior year of college. In the spring of 2025, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kent State and quickly moved to Columbus after accepting a 7th grade ELA teaching position at a private school there.”
That’s when some challenges hit her, she said.
“Living on my own was definitely challenging in and of itself, especially because I got sick this past November and have yet to fully recover,” she said in an email this spring. “In the midst of all the health issues, it was challenging to convince myself to keep working on my book. Then, about a month ago, my boyfriend (Tommy) showed me an interview with Andy Weir, the author of “Project Hail Mary.” In the interview, when asked if he had any advice for the writers listening he said something about not being afraid to self-publish. And for me, that’s all I needed to hear. I wanted my book to be shared with the world, and if that meant putting the work into self publishing, then so be it.”
VanKirk contacted friend and fellow DHS alumni, Karmellah Butler, and commissioned her for the last-minute cover art.
“All credits go to her for the amazing cover of Grasping at Embers,” she said.
VanKirk shared a summary about her first novel: “The Ogmios Project: building perfect families for the future. Three mothers tried to protect the world from the true intentions behind the project, but in the end their embers were extinguished. Now, this war–tangled in the threads of secrets and death–has passed to their children. Reed Ember is desperate to protect his little sister Sarah, whose invaluable mind makes her a target worth any cost. Vanessa Losse is determined to solve the mystery of her mother’s murder and bring the perpetrator to justice. Clifton Farrock is conflicted: should he obey his father or finally fight for his own freedom? As their lives collide, trust is fragile and danger is constant. Together they must uncover the truth and defy the man willing to do whatever it takes to keep it all buried.”
Now, VanKirk is doing everything and anything she can to share the news about her book. Preorders are live, on Amazon for the ebook version and on Barnes & Noble’s website for the hardcover and paperback versions. The official release for the book is June 22.
“Any and all support is welcomed and appreciated!” she said.
Author signing events so far include The 720 Market at Duncan Plaza in Massillon on June 20; 1-5 p.m. Aug. 15 at an indie book con taking place at Sharonsville Convention Center in Cincinnati Aug. 15; and North Coast Indie Author Book Expo Sept. 20 at the Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Drive, Avon.
Those who are interested in updates and more information can visit www.booksbykaylavankirk.com or follow her on Instagram @kayla.l.vankirkofficial.
What’s up next for VanKirk?
“I have more books on the way!” she said in the email.
She admits she has been writing up a storm.
“In fact, I have releases planned every year until 2032.”
