Teenager About To Take Book World By Storm

Helena Coggan publishing her first novel at age of fifteen

A teenager is launching her first book with a major publisher to great acclaim, at the ripe old age of fifteen.

Helena Coggan started writing ‘The Catalyst' when she was only thirteen. The book is set in what's been described as "a complicated, rich world of magic and danger" and will be launched by Hodder & Stoughton on February 19.

Image (c) Matt Russell

Helena said she was inspired by the Harry Potter books which she read avidly.

The Catalyst is described as both "fantastical and startlingly relevant and contemporary".It has been selected as a ‘must-read of 2015’ in The Express and in the Best of Fiction Debuts 2015 in The Observer

The book tells the story of central character Rose Elmsworth who lives in a world which has been divided into the magically Gifted and the non-magical Ashkind. But Rose’s identity is far more complex and dangerous. At fifteen, she earned herself a place alongside her father in the Department, a brutal law-enforcement organisation run by the Gifted to control the Ashkind. But now an old enemy is threatening to start a catastrophic war, and Rose faces a challenging test of her loyalties.

Helena has wanted to write stories since she was six. She is currently dividing her time time between writing and studying for GCSEs.

THE CATALYST
Helena Coggan
Published by Hodder & Stoughton
19 February 2015
Hardback and ebook, £14.99

February 6, 2015