The love of storytelling runs through Kolton Fitz-Gerald’s veins. Inspired by his author dad and a lifelong interest in writing, Fitz-Gerald has already written and published the first two novels in a fantasy series—even though he’s only 19. What’s more, the young Vermonter and first-year English major at the University of Vermont (UVM) has already earned recognition for his work, having been shortlisted for the 2024 Ozma Book Awards for both books.

“My dad was definitely a huge inspiration for me,” Fitz-Gerald says of his father, David Fitz-Gerald, who writes frontier and pioneer Western fiction. “He writes some really good stuff, and I’m not just saying that because I’m his kid.”

The first book in Kolton Fitz-Gerald’s series, Leon Sharp: The Tides of War, is about a reluctant young farmer-turned-swordsman who sets out on an adventure to protect the fragile peace his father died fighting to establish. The second book, Leon Sharp: The Scourge of Night, continues the story several years later, when Leon and his friends end up separated and shipwrecked on an undiscovered island. 

Fitz-Gerald says he was reading a book for an English class with a reluctant protagonist at the time he started the Leon Sharp series. “Throughout my first book especially, Leon is a character who would rather be at home with his family peacefully doing his thing. So, I wanted to play with that idea but also give him this grand responsibility that he must rise to meet.” He has already written the last two books in the series. Both are in the editing phase, and Fitz-Gerald hopes to publish them by the end of this coming summer.

“Being shortlisted for the Ozma Book Awards was a great honor,” Fitz-Gerald says. He adds that he was fortunate enough to travel to Washington State for the ceremonies last April. Organized by Chanticleer Book Reviews, the Ozma Awards celebrate excellence in fantasy fiction. They are part of the Chanticleer International Book Awards, which are given to honor new talent and outstanding works. 

Balancing academic and creative work is admittedly difficult for Fitz-Gerald, but he has found a way to manage it. “Sometimes writing needs to take a backseat when finals are around the corner or an important deadline is creeping up,” he says. “That’s the worst feeling sometimes, when I need to be studying but would much rather be writing.” Out of necessity, Fitz-Gerald has become adept at squeezing in his writing time. “If I arrive at class a few minutes early, I’ll usually spend those minutes writing. Even if I’m only able to get 20 words in a five-minute pocket of time, those are 20 words I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” he says. 

Fitz-Gerald says that growing up in Vermont has definitely influenced his writing. “I take a high degree of pride in my state,” he says. “Vermont isn’t perfect, but it’s always willing to stand up for the little guy.” 

Both of Fitz-Gerald’s first two books are self-published, and the next two will be as well. “I went into self-publishing initially because it’s very easy to start out with, especially on Amazon,” he says. It’s also the method his dad uses, so the elder Fitz-Gerald was able to guide him through the process. The younger Fitz-Gerald adds that he would like to explore traditional publishing now that he has gotten a foot in the door.

Although initially drawn to fantasy because it was what he was most familiar with, Fitz-Gerald has begun experimenting with other genres. “My next project is a mystery in which the star player of a World Series–bound baseball team is found dead in the locker room,” he says. The protagonist, who’s just been hired to manage the team, has to try to solve the murder at the same time as she’s wrangling the players, handling the press, and trying to win games.

When asked what wisdom he would share with other students looking to try their hand at fiction, Fitz-Gerald stresses the importance of writing on a regular basis as a way to practice one’s craft. He’s quick to note, though, that “if a particular piece of advice doesn’t work for you, you don’t have to listen to it.”

One piece of advice that particularly resonates with him is the practice of jotting down his ideas, including those he has no intention of ever turning into a book. “Ideas can easily be used in other projects down the road,” he says. “I’ve pilfered plot beats, character ideas, etc., from projects that didn’t make the cut to put into ones that did.”

“Whenever anything happens and I’m talking to my dad about it, he'll always say that I can put it in my books, use it for parts,” Fitz-Gerald says. “Certainly, you can get inspiration anywhere.”