Ever since I started writing full-time, I’ve been blessed enough to meet brilliant Filipino authors from all walks of life and share their journeys as storytellers. From heartfelt children’s books to swoon-worthy romance novels, their contributions to Philippine literature today have never failed to uplift creative spaces and communities in the face of adversity.
Fresh off National Book Week, which was celebrated from November 24 to 30, 2025, I can’t help but feel confident that the future of local literature, creative writing, and publishing is in good hands. And when I met 13-year-old fantasy author Yanna Alcazaren last month, it’s safe to say I was proven right.
Photo: Li’l Footprints Photography
When I first reached out to Yanna, I knew that she was born to tell stories. You’ll probably think the same upon learning that she already has two full-length novels to her name at just 13. Once you explore the fantastical realms of her latest book, Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer, you’ll certainly look forward to witnessing her go places in the years to come.
A Boundless Quest of Friendship and Courage
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Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer isn’t just a novel. It’s a trilogy in progress—the fruit of Yanna’s extensive fascination with fantasy books, which has motivated her to turn her ideas into stories.
“Thornsong stemmed from a near-life-long appreciation for stories, especially in the fantasy genre, and a tendency to daydream,” she recalled. The premise of The Lantern Bearer even “came to her in a dream” that she had months before she drafted the book.
After years of daydreaming and trusting her imagination, Yanna is now introducing her readers to Tagdyn Leslix, the protagonist of The Lantern Bearer. He bravely explores the world of Arvian, meets magical creatures along the way, and unearths an ancient relic that threatens the fate of empires.
The Lantern Bearer (and, by extension, the Thornsong universe) draws inspiration from the globally renowned books that have greatly influenced Yanna’s writing. These include the Harry Potter series, The Hunger Games trilogy, and The Lord of the Rings saga, among others.
“I could name more [books], but if I had to list them all, I’d probably run out of time!” she beamed.
How Yanna Stays Active and Full of Ideas
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Writing full-length books at 13—fantasy novels, at that—is no easy feat. Even the most experienced authors know how complicated it is to build fictional realms from scratch, give your characters distinct quirks, and make all these details go through multiple rounds of editing.
Yanna has conquered these tedious stages of writing with the added responsibilities of school. When asked how she balances her studies and “side quests” as an author, she candidly answered, “Time management and organization aren’t my strong suits. It took some adjustment and plenty of cramming to finish writing The Lantern Bearer properly. I tend to be pressed for time during exam weeks and major academic events, so I limit my writing to early in the morning or at night, before I sleep.”
Yanna also aspires to finish the Thornsong trilogy before she becomes a young adult. She knows that her writing journey will only become more challenging over time, which is why she constantly enriches her mind with long-term interests and hobbies, such as chess, biology, and musical instruments.
“Many authors tell you to read widely in a variety of genres. That applies to areas of interest, too! They help sharpen my writing in ways I wouldn’t have foreseen before,” Yanna explained. She added that her chess knowledge played a major role in crafting a game system for the Thornsong trilogy. At the same time, her penchant for biology contributed to her world-building process for Arvian.
Embarking On a Journey of Growth
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Like the characters in her books, Yanna has also forged her own path of artistic growth and individuality through her passions. In 2023, she reached new heights as an author with her debut novel, The Five Dragons: Darkness Rising. It follows five powerful prodigies from different kingdoms who join forces to fight various demons of darkness.
“My writing skills have definitely evolved since then!” Yanna shared, looking back on her accomplishments so far. “If you read The Lantern Bearer and Darkness Rising right after, you’ll notice a stark disparity between my narrations then and now.”
No matter where Yanna’s stories take her, she strives to keep learning and improving thanks to the authors she looks up to, including J.R.R. Tolkien and Rick Riordan, among many others. She can’t wait to grow up as the wise bestselling author she has always dreamt of becoming.
What’s Next for Yanna
Numerous doors have opened for Yanna since she and her family held book launch parties for The Lantern Bearer this year. Her stories landed her a live interview on ANC 24/7 and guest speaker roles at several conferences and webinars.
Besides her ongoing book trilogy, Yanna is also giving hosting a try through her Spotify podcast, Here Be Writers—an informative show about the ins and outs of her creative writing adventures.
Whether she’s a gifted author, a biology nerd, or an unapologetic chess enthusiast, Yanna is turning her dreams into a reality, one story at a time. Not just for herself, but for every aspiring writer who spent their teenage years filling their school notebooks with imaginary characters and make-believe scenarios.
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In fact, she firmly believes that making progress with your first draft is already a major step in the right direction.
“Read and analyze your favorite authors’ works, don’t give in to perfectionism, and remember that writing, while at times a slog, is actually the easy part,” Yanna advised. “You can’t edit something that hasn’t been written yet, so you have to be sure to get your words down on paper before obsessively revising.”
Physical copies of Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer are available on Yanna’s website, while her e-books are on Amazon and Kindle.
ALSO READ: How a 10-Year-Old Davaoeña Turned Her Fascination with Mythology Into a Published Book
What are your favorite Filipino fantasy books? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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