Welcome to Y Alcazaren’s Press Kit
Thank you for your interest in Y Alcazaren and her books. Y is a 13-year-old Filipino author who began writing fantasy at nine and published her first novel at eleven. Her stories weave together courage, friendship, and the clash between empires and living worlds.
Inside this kit, you’ll find Y’s biography, book details, cover images, sample questions, and workshop offerings. We hope these resources help you feature Y’s work in your classrooms, events, or media stories.
For interviews, school visits, or media inquiries, please contact: yalcazaren.books@gmail.com.
QUICK FACTS
Name: Y Alcazaren (pronounced “why al-kah-ZAH-ren”)
Age range of audience: Middle Grade to Young Adult (11–16+)
Genres & vibes: Epic fantasy, forest lore, culture clash, found family, enemies-to-friends, big-canvas worldbuilding
Location: Philippines
Contact: yalcazaren.books@gmail.com • IG: @yalcazaren yalcazaren.com
Website & hub: yalcazaren.com (books, world of Arvian, podcast)
Representation / rights: Independent
Author bios (pick your length)
Two-line bio
Y Alcazaren is a young Filipino fantasy author building vast, living worlds for middle-grade and teen readers. She began drafting novels at nine and self-published her first book at eleven.
~50-word bio
Y Alcazaren is a 13-year-old Filipino author of epic fantasy for middle-grade and YA readers. A lifelong bookworm and “biology nerd,” she started writing at nine and self-published The Five Dragons: Darkness Rising at eleven. Her new series launches with Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer, set in the wild, lore-rich world of Arvian.
~100-word bio
Y Alcazaren writes big-hearted, big-world fantasy for middle-grade and young adult readers. A devourer of books and self-professed biology nerd, she began writing novels at nine and independently published The Five Dragons: Darkness Rising at eleven. Her newest work, Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer, opens a trilogy set in Arvian—a realm where ancient races, living forests, and clashing empires test the courage of unlikely heroes. When she isn’t worldbuilding, Y enjoys chess, archery, piano, violin, and learning about wildlife and mythology. Find books, podcast episodes, and Arvian lore at yalcazaren.com.
Long bio (~300–400 words)
Y Alcazaren is a young Filipino fantasy author whose stories blend big-canvas worldbuilding with intimate, character-driven stakes for middle-grade and YA readers. She started drafting novels at nine and self-published her first book, The Five Dragons: Darkness Rising, at eleven. A self-described “biology nerd,” she’s drawn to living worlds—ecosystems that breathe, forests that respond, cultures with history and fracture lines.
Y’s new series, the Thornsong Trilogy, begins with Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer, set in Arvian, a realm where two kingdoms—the wild Niadon and the iron-fisted Talan Empire—vie for survival amidst wild forests and growing turmoil. The book follows Tagdyn Leslix, a reluctant aristocrat’s son with everything to prove, and a defiant nymph whose who seeks to restore her people to greatness. The series explores power and rebellion, loyalty and empathy, and how light persists in places scarred by conquest.
Beyond writing, Y’s curiosities spill into music (piano, violin), strategy (chess), archery, and a love of animals and mythology—interests that often weave into her characters and cultures. She hosts Here Be Writers, a podcast where she shares her behind-the-scenes process and writing tips. She’s also begun speaking to young audiences about imagination, character, setting, and plot, and recently gave a talk at Mommy Mundo Expo Kid.
Find books, podcast episodes, talks, and Arvian lore at yalcazaren.com or say hello on Instagram @yalcazaren.
Media inquiries: yalcazaren.books@gmail.com.
Name pronunciation
- Y = “why”
- Alcazaren = al-kah-ZAH-ren
BOOKS
THORNSONG: THE LANTERN BEARER (Thornsong Trilogy, Book 1)
- Category/Genre: MG/YA fantasy • epic fantasy, culture clash, found family
- Logline (1–2 sentences): A Talan aristocrat’s son desperate to prove himself fails to stop the theft of the powerful Motherseed—and finds himself allied with a defiant forest nymph as empire and wilderness hurtle toward war.
- Short description: As the Talan Empire tightens its grip and the forests whisper of lost powers, Tagdyn must choose loyalty—his people… or those they oppress. The forests cry for mercy. Someone must answer.
- Status: Online Launch on October 11, 2025, Official Book Launch on November 16, 2025 (Seda BGC)
- Format(s): Trade paperback, eBook
- Trim size / pp count: 5.5″ × 8.5″ • 400 pp
- Cover art: Francesca Papini (illustrator)
- Where to buy / pre-order: See Y’s Books page and pre-order link (bit.ly/YALCAZAREN)
- Keywords: enemies-to-friends, nature vs empire, secret legacies, living forests, reluctant hero
THE FIVE DRAGONS: DARKNESS RISING (Book 1)
- Category/Genre: MG fantasy • elemental guardians, chosen heirs, ancient evil
- Logline: Five mortal children inherit the legacy of the fallen Dragon Guardians and must face a rising Darkness before it devours their kingdoms.
- Short description: See official blurb on Y’s Books page.
- For local printing
- ISBN: 979-8-8597-0273-2 (paperback)
- Format/Price (US): Trade paperback • list $13.00
- Trim / page count: 5.5″ × 8.5″ • ~298 pp (current print spec)
- Retailers: Amazon
THE FIVE DRAGONS: ROOT & BRANCH (Book 2)
- Category/Genre: MG fantasy • sequel; illusion-realm survival, loyalty tests
- Short description (from site): Trapped by the treacherous Greenwood, the heirs to the Five Dragons must wield their powers in unexpected ways as alliances shift and one of them may be fated to fall.
- Status: Pre-publication
- Where to buy / pre-order: See Y’s Books page and pre-order link.
The world of ARVIAN (series/setting note)
Arvian is a magical realm with two continents and lore stretching back thousands of years. On the continent of Hinter, the Niad and the Talan struggle to survive amid wild forests, fractured kingdoms, and secrets hidden beneath the roots. Expect rich lore, maps, and character teasers across the trilogy.
Press-ready assets
- Headshots
- Book covers: Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer; The Five Dragons: Darkness Rising; Root & Branch
- Brand marks: Y Alcazaren wordmark/logo
- Lifestyle / event photos
Social & web
- Website: yalcazaren.com (books, Arvian, podcast, contact)
- Instagram: @yalcazaren (primary social)
- Podcast: Here Be Writers (episodes & show descriptions on site) on Spotify
- Amazon author/book pages: https://www.amazon.com/author/yalcazaren
Speaking (schools, libraries, events)
Signature talks & workshops
Available as 30–60 minute sessions (classroom visit) or 90-minute intensives (festival/school program). Customizable by age group.
- Grades 4–6 (ages 9–12)
- Dream to Draft
- Based on how Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer began with a dream that grew into a novel.
- Covers brainstorming, freewriting, and shaping raw ideas into plots.
- Interactive: kids map out their own “dream seed” stories.
- The Three Pillars of Storytelling
- Adapted from Y’s Mommy Mundo Expo Kid talk.
- Shows how great stories balance memorable characters, immersive settings, and exciting plots.
- Workshop activity: build a “story triangle” where students create their own mini-story using these three elements.
- Found Families and Friendship in Fantasy
- Identify what makes a memorable “friendship group” in stories.
- Compare fantasy “found families” with real-life friendship traits.
- Practice writing dialogue that shows trust, tension, or growth between characters.
- Dream to Draft
- Grades 7–10 (ages 13–16)
- Worldbuilding for Young Writers
- Using Arvian (her Thornsong world) as a case study.
- Teaches how to invent maps, cultures, and histories that feel alive.
- Hands-on: participants create a creature, kingdom, or magic system of their own.
- Heroes, Villains, and the Grey In-Between
- Explores how characters aren’t just good or evil.
- Uses examples from her books (Tagdyn Leslix and the Niad/Talan conflict).
- Activity: reimagine a “villain” as a misunderstood character.
- Building Tension & Magic
- Uses scenes from her books where danger, magic, or battles unfold.
- Teaches pacing, sensory details, and cliffhanger endings.
- Students write a short “battle” or “chase” scene with a magical twist.
- The Writer’s Toolbox
- A practical workshop introducing brainstorming methods, character sheets, plot outlines, and revision tips Y uses herself.
- Activity: participants leave with their own “mini toolbox” worksheet to guide future writing.
- Worldbuilding for Young Writers
- All Ages (talk format)
- From Kid to Author: My Journey as a Young Writer
Formats: 30–60 min talk; 60–90 min workshop; assembly or classroom visits
Tech needs: HDMI-projector/screen, mic, table for books, water
Honorarium Note:
As a debut author, Y is delighted to visit schools and communities. For her launch year, she happily waives speaking fees when the host helps facilitate book sales or classroom adoption. For larger expos, corporate events, or organizations with speaker budgets, honoraria are welcome and much appreciated.
Media appearance links
Recording: “Tips for Young Writers” talk at Mommy Mundo Expo Kid (YouTube; linked from Y’s site)
Interview questions (media/bloggers)
- What drew you to write for middle-grade and young teen readers?
- Lantern Bearer began with a dream—what did that first image look like, and what changed by draft three?
- Arvian features three ancient races. Which culture did you find hardest—and most fun—to write?
- How do you balance school, music, and writing—any routines that actually work?
- Your favorite craft trick for creating memorable characters?
- What’s the most surprising feedback you got from early readers?
- If readers take one theme from Thornsong, what should it be?
- Dream blurbs or comp titles on your shelf right now? (e.g., Endling, Willa of the Woods)
- What’s next in the Thornsong trilogy?
- Advice for kids who want to finish a first draft this year?
Classroom Discussion Questions (MG/YA)
Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer by Y Alcazaren
- Tagdyn’s Struggle
- How does Tagdyn’s desire to prove himself shape his journey?
- What lessons does he learn about strength and courage?
- The Motherseed
- What does the Motherseed symbolize for the Empire, for the Niad, and for Tagdyn?
- How does it reveal the different ways people see power and survival?
- Living Forests
- How is the forest described as a character in the book?
- What message does the story send about the relationship between people and nature?
- Enemies to Friends
- What makes it difficult for Tagdyn and the nymph to trust each other at first?
- How does their alliance grow, and why is it important to the story?
- Loyalty vs. Justice
- Tagdyn is torn between loyalty to his empire and doing what is right.
- Can loyalty ever conflict with justice? How does he resolve this tension?
- Friendship and Found Family
- How do friendships shape the choices of the main characters?
- What do these relationships show about trust and sacrifice?
- Empire and Resistance
- What drives the Empire to expand, and what drives the Niad to resist?
- Did the book make you sympathize with one side more than the other? Why?
- Merit’s Failed Arc
- Why did
- How does Merit’s refusal to accept imperfection from herself impede her growth?
- Themes of Betrayal and Trust
- How do betrayal and broken promises fuel the conflict?
- What moments in the story rebuild trust across divides?
- Courage in Unexpected Places
- In what ways do underestimated characters rise to the challenge?
- How can being overlooked become a hidden strength?
- Fantasy and Real Life
- Which conflicts in the book reflect real-world struggles (colonization, environment, prejudice)?
- What can young readers learn about our world from Arvian’s story?
Book club prompts
Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer by Y Alcazaren
- First Impressions
Which scene or image stayed with you the most after finishing the book, and why? - Tagdyn’s Journey
Did you find Tagdyn relatable? In what ways did his struggles remind you of your own experiences of being underestimated or overlooked? - The Forest as a Character
The forest in Arvian is almost alive. Did it feel like a friend, an enemy, or something in between? - Enemies to Allies
What made you believe (or doubt) the friendship between Tagdyn and the nymph? How did their relationship change the way you thought about trust? - Symbols and Secrets
The Motherseed is central to the story. What do you think it represents — survival, temptation, hope, or something else? - Loyalty and Choice
Have you ever faced a situation where loyalty to family, friends, or community conflicted with doing what you thought was right? How does that connect with Tagdyn’s choices? - Favorite Side Character
Which supporting character — Merit, Norion, or another — intrigued you most? Would you like to see a spin-off told from their point of view? - Big Themes, Real Life
The book explores empire vs. nature, loyalty vs. justice, betrayal vs. trust. Which of these themes felt most relevant to today’s world? - Alternate Endings
If you could rewrite the ending, what would you change about Tagdyn’s decision or the fate of the Motherseed? - Looking Ahead
The Lantern Bearer is the start of a trilogy. What do you most want to see in the next book?
Tweetables / short copy
- New fantasy for MG/YA readers: THORNSONG: THE LANTERN BEARER — loyalty, living forests, and an empire that won’t back down.
- Enemies-to-friends in a world of nymphs, empires, and ancient secrets.
- Listen in Spotify: Here Be Writers — writing, worldbuilding, and turning ideas into books.
Basic metadata (per title)
Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer
- Category: MG/YA Fantasy
- Description: see above
- Publication: Tentatively first week of November 2025
- ISBNs: 978-621-06-3649-9 (Hardbound), 978-621-06-3650-5 (Softbound)
- Format/Trim: Trade PB: 5.5″ × 8.5″ (house standard)
- Page count: 400 pp
- Price: TBA
- Where to buy: Pre-order via site; retail listings to follow.
The Five Dragons: Darkness Rising
- Category: MG Fantasy
- ISBN-13: 9798859702732 • Format: Trade PB • $13.00 list
- Trim / pp: 5.5″ × 8.5″ ; ~298 pp
- Retailers: Amazon & others (see retailer pages).
The Five Dragons: Root & Branch
- Category: MG Fantasy (Book 2)
- Description: see above (site blurb) • Status: pre-publication
Recognition & communities
- Speaking: Mommy Mundo Expo Kid — “Tips for Young Writers” (2025). Recording linked on Y’s site.
- Awards: Top Talent Award, Asian Gifted Youth Literary Competition (2025, Junior Secondary; details available upon request)
Boilerplate (for press releases)
About Y Alcazaren
Y Alcazaren writes clean epic fantasy for middle-grade and teen readers. She began drafting novels at nine and self-published The Five Dragons: Darkness Rising at eleven. Her new trilogy begins with Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer, set in the living world of Arvian. Learn more at yalcazaren.com or Instagram @yalcazaren.