Shoreview Teenager Violet Hirman’s Debut Novel Hits the Market

(Shoreview, MN) – A lot of famous authors got their inspiration to write from books they had read as children. According to a recent article in Literary Hub magazine, some of the titles that come up most often when writers are asked what books inspired them: “Call of the Wild,” “Little Women” and “Gone with the Wind.”

These are just three of the many titles that have stood the test of time and are still inspiring the writers of today and tomorrow. “I started writing all the way back in fourth grade but started seriously after reading ‘The Hunger Games’ in sixth grade at age 12,” said Violet Hirman of Shoreview, Minnesota.

The now 17-year-old senior at Highland Park Senior High School in St. Paul is now a published author herself. Teen publishing company Sigma’s Bookshelf, which is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, released Hirman’s debut novel, "Lotus Protection: Rise of the Lotus," in late 2024.

The book’s official launch party will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the HarMar Ball Barnes and Noble, located at 2100 Snelling Avenue North, Roseville, MN 55113. Planned is a discussion, question and answer session and signing.

About the Novel

"Lotus Protection: Rise of the Lotus” is a fantasy in which World War Three has come and gone, along with most of the human race. A few of the people left over are different, too. They've developed powers hiding in plain sight that are past humanity's understanding.

The protagonist, Corinne Loralar, and her twin sister, Selena, are at the center of it all. They decide to escape from their restrictive city the very night it's attacked by unidentified sources. The girls get intercepted by the Moore brothers, Rowan and River. Surprisingly, they're on their side.

The four of them set off to find their freedom, but the victory is short lived. Attackers round them up and bring them back to an unnerving facility where they learn there are more layers of reality than meets the eye. What Corinne fails to remember is that even considerate people have their own agendas to uphold. Agendas that may end up costing someone their life.

Hirman says the inspiration for her novel originated from a game she and her sister made up in her grandparent’s backyard and slowly evolved from there. "Rise of the Lotus" is her first published full-length novel, but not her first publication. She has also written a lot of poetry and short stories.

“When I learned that my book was to be published, my initial reaction was shock, and then I was really just relieved to have gotten as far as I did. I was really proud of myself because every step had been orchestrated by me without much additional support,” said Hirman.

In addition to writing, she also enjoys art in mediums ranging from graphite sketches to three-dimensional collage pieces. Plus, she gardens in the spring and summer to make teas and salves. She also does a lot of scrapbooking to preserve her favorite memories.

Copies of Violet's novel can be purchased at the HarMar Mall Barnes and Noble, or online at BarnesandNoble.com or Amazon.com

About Sigma's Bookshelf

Sigma's Bookshelf is a traditional publishing company that exclusively publishes the work of teen writers. The company is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and was started up in 2017 by then teen author and now recent Macalester College graduate Justin Anderson.

Anderson, 23, is the author of "Saving Stripes: A Kitty's Story" and the novel, "Nothing But Trouble." To date, Sigma’s Bookshelf has published a total of 22 teen authored books.

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