A path to publication

Melia Burrell is a junior at Vincent Middle High School

Melia Burrell is a junior at Vincent Middle High School

 

By Amy Jones

Photos by Emily Klein

Ever since she was in the fifth grade, Melia Burrell has felt compelled to put pen to paper. That compulsion has resulted in 64 unfinished stories and — most importantly — one published novel.

Now a junior at Vincent Middle High School, Melia had her book, “The Chronicles of the Secret Society: The End of the Standoff,” published through the Books-A-Million BAM! Publishing Contest in July of this year.

Melia said she entered the contest, intended for students in grades 9-12, after seeing a flyer about the contest in the hall at school.

“It seemed like a really good opportunity to actually publish something I’d written, and I could not let that opportunity pass me by,” she said.

Melia actually began writing the short novel, which is 124 large-print pages, in the seventh grade. After she decided to enter the contest, she picked the novel back up and finished it in approximately three to four months, she said.

The novel, set in a future America, is about a dystopian society in which a race of genetically engineered humans, known as Specials, is locked in a continuous battle with ordinary humans. The main character, Zaylee Cross, is a Special who finds herself caught up in the fray.

"The Chronicles of Secret Society: The End of the Standoff" was recently published by Books-A-Million

“The Chronicles of Secret Society: The End of the Standoff” was recently published by Books-A-Million

Melia said she intends for the novel to be the first in a series.

“I’m almost halfway through the second book and partially working on the third,” she said. “I don’t know how many books will be in the series overall, but I know where I’m heading with the story.”

Melia didn’t actually win the Publishing Contest — there were three submissions that won, but the contest judges enjoyed Melia’s book so much that they decided to publish it as well.

While the three winning submissions received other prizes, Melia said she was content with her outcome.

“I was only published and given the opportunity to see my life goal accomplished at the age of 16, which is enough of a prize for me,” she said.

Books-A-Million officials contacted Vincent High to let Melia know her novel would be published, and she said she had an unusual reaction to the news.

“(The librarian) pulled me out of class to tell me, which was probably a good thing because I was smiling and laughing hysterically in the hallway for a few minutes,” Melia said. “I didn’t think it was funny. I thought it was the best thing that ever happened to me, but when I get too nervous or excited I just start laughing until I can’t breathe.”

BAM! Publishing is actually a self-publishing company, so Melia was involved with all phases of getting her book ready for print. She and her mother collaborated on the cover, which showcases a multicolored eye.

“My mom drew the outline for it, and I did all of the coloring and shading,” she said. “So it’s one of a kind, I suppose.”

Melia said she began writing because she enjoys the process and seeing reactions to what she writes.

“As I grew up, my stories began being longer than everyone else’s,” she said. “From there, my love for writing blossomed into a passion and a dream to become a true novelist.”

After she finishes high school, Melia plans to attend college and major in English and creative writing. She hopes to continue writing and possibly also work as a whitewater rafting instructor.

Melia said her experience with the BAM! Publishing Contest has only validated her belief that writing is her calling.

“Now that I know that people enjoy reading what I enjoy writing, there is no point in me stopping,” she said. “Someone’s got to feed the bookworms in the world. I’m just happy I’m a part of it.”

Readers can find “The Chronicles of the Secret Society: The End of the Standoff” at the Brookwood Village Books-A-Million or online at Booksamillion.com.

Melia Burrell

Melia Burrell

SportsPlus

News

Wilsonville man arrested for sexually abusing minor

Harpersville

Harpersville announces Timothy Dennis as new chief of police

News

Pelham enhancing northern gateway on Highway 31

News

Pelham City Schools Foundation hosts Pelham Mardi Party

News

Pelham announces 2025 street paving plans

News

Pelham moves forward with Greenway Trail project

280 Main Story

Girls soccer preview: The biggest questions ahead of a hotly-anticipated 2025 season

280 Main Story

Boys soccer preview: Previewing the biggest storylines on the pitch

Alabaster Main Story

TMS Dance Team earns first place in Junior High Kick at UDA nationals

Alabaster Main Story

THS dance team, band win third Game Day Live championship

Alabaster Main Story

THS Wind Ensemble delivers evocative performance at AMEA Conference

Calera

Calera police searching for suspect after armed gas station robbery

Alabaster Main Story

Thompson claims victory in tight game with Prattville

280 Main Story

Shelby County outlasts Briarwood to win area title for first time since 2020

Montevallo

Montevallo beats Selma on the road, wins area title in first year as Class 5A

280 Main Story

Chelsea claims area championship for 2nd year in a row

Alabaster Main Story

Wasabi Japanese Sushi and Bar to open Feb. 10

Columbiana

Attorney general presents EHES with Safe Schools Initiative Award

280 Main Story

Chelsea SGA announces Cody Sumners as 2025 Hall of Fame inductee

News

Pelham PD detective retires after 25 years of service

News

Oak Mountain State Park utilizing deer management hunts for park benefit

Helena

First-ever Sozo Shindig to be held at Helena Hollow

Business

New indoor mini-golf facility coming to Pelham

Montevallo

Montevallo Main Street partners with AL Spark to bestow marketing grants