Check Out Zariel Hunt’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zariel Hunt.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in a home that valued the power of storytelling. My imagination often took me to worlds that didn’t exist, and my dad’s bedtime stories only fed that spark. My mom brought me to the library for story-time, and while I was a stubborn four-year-old at first, I eventually fell in love with that space. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, and even when my early scribbles were barely readable, jotting down my thoughts was a joy. Seeing my words on paper felt powerful—it let me reflect, inspire, heal, and grow. I dreamed up countless stories, some complete, others left unfinished. That passion for writing stayed with me through high school, where creative writing classes helped me hone my craft. Now, with my sister cheering me on, I’m on the verge of becoming a published author. I know there’s still so much to learn, but I’m excited to keep growing, share my work with kids my age and younger, and encourage them to embrace their imagination and dreams.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I used to wrestle with my confidence. My drive is full of manuscripts I buried before they could grow. I convinced myself that my stories weren’t good enough and my ideas were too strange for anyone to care. I kept tweaking them, draft after draft, until they faded into the background.

There were moments when I questioned whether I could even call myself a writer, or if this dream was wishful thinking. What I didn’t realize then is that finding your voice takes as much patience as it does passion, and learning that has been one of my biggest challenges.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a storyteller at heart. Most of my work centers on atmospheric young adult fiction – stories where the characters feel alive and the worlds feel immersive enough to step into. Whether I’m writing full-length novels, children’s books, or short stories, I specialize in pulling readers into the emotional core of the journey through vivid world-building and character-driven conflict.

A lot of my inspiration comes from childhood: long chess matches with my dad, new environments, the fantasy books I devoured and clumsily annotated, and the way fictional worlds revealed truths that real life sometimes hid. Those experiences taught me how powerful stories can be. I try to reflect that same sense of discovery and honesty in my work.

What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come in discovering my creative voice. I’ve learned to trust my ideas, stick with my projects, and keep moving toward my goals. That growth—both as a writer and as a person—is what truly makes my work stand out.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
As I am currently in the initial stages of starting my writing career, I welcome support, feedback, and recognition from new connections. As a young writer still in high school, I don’t have a big platform yet, but I am always open to connecting with others who share a love for storytelling.

My debut book, Once a Pawn a Time, is being published through Lilac Sky and is on its way. I’m incredibly excited to share it with the world. The best way people can support me right now is by engaging with my work as it releases and helping spread the word when the book comes out.

If anyone would like to reach out for collaboration, feedback, or literary conversations, they can contact me at [email protected].

Contact Info:

• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Talon Baker