Maika E. Branch

Background

Maika-Evelyn Branch, now 17, resides in Moncton, NB, where she attends high school. As a teen author and budding playwright, she discovered a passion for storytelling at a young age and soon learned to speak three languages with the help of her culturally diverse family.

Maika’s first book, Calagarmii Cliffs, started out as a personal summer project she wrote at age ten. Calagarmii Cliffs was published by Redemption House Publishing in April 2014 and has since sold out of 1,000 copies. Sisters of Serenah, also written by Maika, is a self-published young adult novel. Due to the success of her books, as well as to her on-stage presence, Maika is often called upon as a motivational speaker for small and large audiences. She is currently in the process of illustrating a second edition of Calagarmii Cliffs, and has recently had the opportunity to write and direct a full-length musical, for her own high school to showcase.

Publications

Calagarmii Cliffs, a fiction fantasy (Redemption House Publishing, April 2014)

Sisters of Serenah, a self-published Young Adult fantasy

What I Offer

Having been an author at such a young age, I can offer a unique, interactive presentation on being what it’s like being a writer, the process of publishing a novel versus self-publishing, and what it was like entering the writing world so young. I can speak to students about why writing and reading are so important for everyone, and the use of literacy as an outlet for stress management. During a normal presentation I also involve students in a world and character building session as a group. We improvise, brainstorm, and create a story together. I usually offer readings of both books. With extra time I often ask students about their own story ideas, and offer my advice.