I’ve been working on a book for a long time, a book that was born in silence, in fear that no one would care, and in the hope that it might mean something to at least one person. There were days when I wanted to give up, delete everything, and pretend I never tried. But this story refused to let me go. It’s called Aurelia.
In the near future, the world is divided between those who have everything and those who are barely surviving. The most powerful create Aurelia, an artificial city floating on water, without money, without hunger, powered by waves and wind. A paradise meant to be an escape from reality. A perfection paid for with silence. The story follows a girl who falls in love with a man from an unreachable elite and unknowingly steps into a deadly program designed for the “chosen.” Ten participants. Ten performances. The workers believe they are part of an artistic project. The truth is far darker. This is not just a dystopian novel. It’s a story about guilt, sacrifice, and how far a person can go when survival becomes the only choice. About how easily you can lose yourself while trying to belong to a world that was never built for you.
I’m not asking for perfection. I’m not asking for fame. I’m just looking for people who are willing to read, to feel, and maybe tell me that this story deserves to exist. If you’ve ever felt like you were looking at a world you could never belong to, maybe you’ll find yourself in Aurelia.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It truly means more than you think.
by Blairvanderberg