Picture a Utah storyteller who spins raw, heartfelt tales of resilience and hope—meet Erin Stewart! This young adult fiction author has captured hearts with her poignant novels, like Scars Like Wings and The Words We Keep, blending emotional depth with a spark of humor. A heart failure survivor and mental health advocate, Stewart writes stories that resonate with teens navigating life’s toughest moments.
With a knack for crafting authentic characters, her work tackles heavy themes like anxiety, depression, and physical scars, all while weaving in hope and connection. Her books aren’t just stories—they’re lifelines for young readers seeking understanding. Let’s dive into the world of Erin Stewart, where words heal and stories soar.
The Making of Erin Stewart
Erin Stewart grew up in Virginia before settling in Utah, where she now lives with her husband and three children. A graduate of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism and Brigham Young University, she honed her storytelling as a freelance writer and columnist in Salt Lake City. Her early love for writing was quirky—her kindergarten stories often ended with everyone exploding, prompting her mom to suggest therapy! Thankfully, her characters now enjoy higher survival rates.
Stewart’s personal battles with anxiety and a life-altering heart condition shaped her empathetic voice. Inspired by real-life resilience, like that of a Romanian burn survivor she met through friends, she began writing novels that reflect the beauty and pain of human experience. Her journalism background fuels her commitment to authentic, well-researched narratives.
Erin Stewart’s Unforgettable Stories
Stewart’s debut, Scars Like Wings (2019), follows Ava Lee, a teen burn survivor rebuilding her life after losing her family and home. Praised as a “YA answer to Wonder,” it won awards like BookPal’s Outstanding Works of Literature and a Junior Library Guild Selection for its raw portrayal of grief and hope. Readers love Ava’s sharp wit and journey toward self-acceptance.
The Words We Keep (2022) dives into mental health, focusing on Lily, a teen grappling with anxiety and her sister’s bipolar disorder. This poetic page-turner earned the Schneider Family Book Award for its disability portrayal, with critics lauding its “overpowering sense of hope.” Stewart’s use of guerrilla poetry and art as outlets for pain adds a unique, vibrant layer to the story.
Her latest YA novel, Every Borrowed Beat, and her middle-grade debut, The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner (2025), showcase her versatility. Whether exploring trauma or magic, Stewart’s style is unflinchingly honest, blending humor, heart, and hard truths to create stories that linger.
Why Erin Stewart Matters
Erin Stewart’s impact goes beyond her books. By tackling mental health stigma and disability with nuance, she gives teens a mirror to see themselves and a window to understand others. Her advocacy—rooted in her own anxiety struggles—encourages young readers to seek help and embrace their imperfections. Awards like the Schneider Family Book Award highlight her role as a vital voice in YA literature.
Her stories resonate globally, translated into over 17 languages, proving that themes of resilience and connection are universal. Stewart’s talks at schools and events inspire students to use art and words to process their struggles, making her a beacon for hope and healing in a challenging world.
About Erin Stewart
- Key Works: Scars Like Wings, The Words We Keep, Every Borrowed Beat, The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner
- Awards: Schneider Family Book Award (2023), BookPal’s Outstanding Works of Literature (2019)
- Fun Fact: She’s a self-proclaimed Hot Tamales addict!
- Hometown: Lives in Utah, raised in Virginia
Ready to feel all the feels? Snag The Words We Keep or Scars Like Wings and dive into Erin Stewart’s heartfelt YA world!