How I Became a Published Author: A Story of Grit, Growth, and Holding Onto the Dream

I’m a writer from The Bronx, New York City—and nothing about my journey to becoming a published author was smooth, glamorous, or easy. It didn’t start in a quiet cabin surrounded by inspiration or with a mentor guiding me through the industry. It started in between shifts, in the margins of exhaustion, in the late-night silence of a city that never sleeps but sometimes forgets to listen. I didn’t grow up surrounded by literary circles or family friends who wrote novels. I grew up around real life—hustle, heartbreak, and the daily grind of trying to make something out of what little you had.

What I had, even when I didn’t fully understand it, was a voice. I didn’t always know what I wanted to say, but I knew I felt things deeply. I felt the sting of being misunderstood, overlooked, and the one who stayed quiet when the world rewarded the loud. Writing became my way out—and eventually, my way in. Into myself. Into healing. Into possibility.

There weren’t many people I could rely on.

That’s just the truth. I learned early that not everyone stays, not everyone claps when you try, and not everyone sees value in what you’re building until it’s finished. So I became self-driven. I relied on hard work, consistency, and a deep belief that my story—whatever it was—deserved to be told. I carried that belief with me through jobs, setbacks, and years of quietly grinding with no spotlight.

I didn’t go to fancy writing retreats or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs. I wrote in notebooks on my lunch breaks. I typed drafts on my phone while commuting across the Bronx. I rewrote entire pages in my head while standing in line at the grocery store. Writing wasn’t some artistic calling at first—it was survival. It was how I coped with isolation, with anxiety, with the ache of feeling like there was something more out there, but not knowing how to reach it.

But I kept showing up on the page. I kept writing when no one asked me to. And that quiet dedication became my foundation.

Eventually, something changed.

I submitted one of my stories to TWB Press, a small but passionate publisher that believes in emotionally honest storytelling. I wasn’t expecting much. I’d gotten used to silence, to polite rejections, to feeling like I was always a few steps behind. But this time, they said yes. And that, yes, cracked something open in me.

That story became my debut book: The Gift from Aelius.

The Gift from Aelius by Michael Colon

It’s a sci-fi novel, but more than that—it’s a spiritual, philosophical exploration of identity. It follows an artificial intelligence named Aelius who begins questioning its existence, its connection to the human soul, and the concept of faith. On the surface, it’s a futuristic story, but deep down, it’s a mirror. A reflection of everything I had once felt but couldn’t explain. The emptiness, the search for purpose, the idea that something greater might exist even in the most unlikely places. That book gave me the courage to believe that I had something to say—and that there were readers who needed to hear it.

After that, I wrote The Greatest Comic Book Tale Told, a book that’s as close to my heart as anything I’ve ever created. It follows a boy named Sonny Forever who survives trauma by retreating into the world of comic books. It's gritty, emotional, and deeply personal. It explores loneliness, hope, and how imagination becomes a lifeline when reality feels too harsh. Writing that book was healing for me. It helped me confront my own memories, my fears, and the emotional weight I’d carried for years. And when readers reached out to tell me that they saw themselves in Sonny—that they, too, had escaped into stories just to breathe—I knew I was on the right path.

You need heart, truth, and courage.

The Greatest Comic Book Tale Ever Told by Michael Colon

TWB Press published both books, and that partnership reminded me that you don’t need a massive platform or flashy accolades to matter. You need heart. You need truth. You need the courage to keep going even when no one’s watching.

Growing up in New York City taught me a great deal about endurance. It taught me how to keep moving when the world feels too heavy. It taught me how to listen in the middle of chaos, how to find quiet in the noise, and how to hold onto hope in unexpected places. The city raised me in its own way—with grit, with culture, with contradictions and beauty that somehow coexist. That energy is in my writing. That pulse, that toughness, that tenderness hidden under layers—it’s all in there.

Success didn’t happen overnight for me. And honestly, I wouldn’t want it to. Every slow step taught me something. Every late night, every self-doubt, every page I almost gave up on added to the story. I worked hard not just because I wanted to succeed, but because hard work became part of who I was. It was how I found peace. It was how I created meaning. Writing gave me something that the world couldn’t take away—a sense of self I built with my own two hands.

If you’re reading this and wondering if your story matters—if your background is too messy, if your path is too nontraditional, if your dream feels too far—this is what I want you to know: you don’t need permission to begin. You don’t need a perfect past or a thousand followers. You need consistency. You need passion. And you need to keep going even when the room is silent.

Because silence doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means the world hasn’t caught up to you yet.

Now, as a published author with two books that came from nothing but determination and heart, I look back and feel proud—not just of the books themselves, but of the road it took to get here. It’s not just about being published. It’s about staying true to my voice. It’s about honoring the part of me that kept believing even when it hurt. It’s about showing others like me that yes—it’s possible.

You can build something real. You can write your way out. You can make something beautiful from the hardest parts of your story.

I did. And I’m just getting started.

Got a story of faith, resilience, or personal growth? We’d love to feature you on our blog! Share your journey and inspire others. Submit your story today!

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My name is Michael Colon. I was born and raised in New York City. I am a novelist and a freelance writer. My author's story is about hard work, perseverance, and believing in the power of imagination. My inspiration comes from various societal elements and my own life experiences. Outside of writing, I enjoy working out, watching sports, and going on hiking trails with my wife.