While most kids were gaming, she was plotting twists and clues. An 11-year-old Malaysian author rewriting what’s possible.
While many kids her age are choosing between cartoons and TikTok trends, one young girl from Malaysia was busy crafting an entire 260-page mystery novel at just 11 years old! Yep, you read that right. Meet Avril Herng (艾薇儿恒), one of Malaysia’s youngest published novelists, whose imagination and drive have already put her on the literary map.
So, Who Is Avril Herng?
Avril Herng hails from Selangor, Malaysia, and she’s not your average pre-teen. While some kids are still figuring out how to structure a paragraph, Avril was writing full chapters, twisting plots, and keeping readers guessing like a pro. At just 11 years old, she self-published her debut mystery novel, titled Laura Taylor’s: The Case of the Phantom’s Emerald, a 260-page story packed with suspense, adventure, and intrigue.
Where Did She Get Her Inspiration?
Avril has been writing since… well, pretty much since she could. Encouraged by her mom, Avril has loved reading and writing since she was a young girl. She grew up reading Enid Blyton, JK Rowling, and David Walliams, which gave her a great basis for her creativity.
A big part of her inspiration for her story came when she and her family visited London, seeing the Victorian architecture and the cobbled streets. When she got home, she quickly started sketching out ideas for her first book.
Mystery fiction is a genre that thrives on curiosity. Think twists, false leads, subtle clues… and yes, secret emeralds that vanish into thin air. For someone like Avril, that sense of “What’s behind the locked door?” probably started as pure curiosity and then blossomed into a full-blown creative project.
A Big Book From a Small Hero
When we hear stories like this, it’s easy to think: “Wow, she’s a genius!” But let’s dial it back a bit. Avril’s achievement isn’t just about raw talent. It’s about dedication, perseverance, and the kind of discipline that many adults struggle with.
Think about it: a 260-page novel isn’t a weekend hobby. It’s weeks or months of planning characters, scenes, twists, and endings. There’s structuring, editing, rewriting, typing, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with storytelling. For an 11-year-old to commit to that? Inspirational doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Laura Taylor’s: The Case of the Phantom’s Emerald
Let’s talk about the meat of it: the mystery. Laura Taylor’s: The Case of the Phantom’s Emerald follows a sleuthing protagonist who dives into an eerie, emerald-centered puzzle, the kind that keeps readers flipping pages to find out what happens next. The story blends classic mystery vibes with a fresh voice and youthful perspective, making it fun, engaging, and surprisingly deep.
And don’t be fooled, this isn’t a short chapter book or a novella! At 260 pages, it’s full-length, engaging, and structured enough to satisfy mystery lovers of all ages. That’s huge, not just for Avril, but for Malaysian children’s literature.
Not A “One and Done”
If you thought one novel was enough for someone still in primary school, think again. Avril didn’t just stop there, of course not! Not long later, at age 12, she went on to publish the sequel to her debut book! Her mystery series is officially underway, which means we might be watching the beginnings of a long and fascinating writing career.
This shows that her first book wasn’t a one-off fluke, she’s serious about storytelling, and she’s clearly enjoying the journey.
The Importance of Avril’s Story
Now, of course, it’s impressive to see someone so young publish something that adults would find challenging. But beyond that, Avril’s success highlights a bigger conversation about creativity, representation, and youth voices in literature.
Books have always been a medium for perspective. Most books are written by adults. But kids see the world in a completely different way. Sometimes their POV is brighter, stranger, funnier, or more imaginative. Avril’s work gives readers access to that unique lens.
Avril comes from Malaysia, a multilingual, multicultural place. When kids see someone who looks and sounds like them on a book cover, it opens the door to their own dreams of writing and creativity.
There’s this outdated idea that you have to be a certain age to write, publish, or succeed. Avril blew that idea out of the water. Great ideas can come from anyone. All they need is expression and support.
A Message to Young Dreamers Everywhere
At the end of the day, what makes Avril’s story so uplifting isn’t just that she published a book at 11; it’s that she followed her passion and kept going until her story reached the world. And that’s something anyone, at any age, can take inspiration from.
If you’ve ever thought about writing a story, a poem, a game, or anything creative, remember this: age is just a number. Creativity doesn’t wait. And if an 11-year-old can write a 260-page mystery novel, what could you do with your ideas?
So next time you wonder whether your story is “big enough” or “good enough,” think of Avril. Because if she can finish hers, maybe you can finish yours, too.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
