We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cade Steward a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Cade thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I want to write stories that will live on for generations of young people to dive into and be inspired by. For them to see these characters as an encouragement that their trauma and experiences with mental health does not define their ability to live up to who they are meant to be. I want it to be known and evident that I was not afraid to write characters that struggle– really struggle –in the ways that we do. Even though we’re not saving the world, everyone does fight their own kind of monster but that will define who you are.

Cade, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a nineteen year old, self published author. I have well over a handful of finished novels waiting to be published. But I didn’t get here overnight.

I’ve always written stories, songs, poems– they were devices to keep my busy mind as clear as could be. But when I was fourteen, two weeks before the Covid pandemic started, i decided to sit down and finish a short story I’d started years before. That “short story” turned into a full novel written in three months, which then became two books, when then became three. I fell in love and wrapped myself up in writing and designing and outlining characters that I poured my heart into, each of which have a little piece of myself.

As the books went on, so did I. I have written seven books since then, with plenty more in progress. Each growing more complex in plot and deeper with characters. I discovered that I could work through healing myself in some ways by allowing my characters to not be perfect, but to struggle. I want them to struggle, so I can orchestrate and watch them grow and overcome their trauma while fighting the battle of the story.

Writing in every form is therapy to me and I thank God every day for the night I was a little bored and decided to try my hand at that old short story.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I first realized I wanted to take my writing seriously, I dreamt of a traditional publishing deal. Of having an agent, a professional cover designer, etc. Now, while I still pursue that, I’ve come to accept that is not my beginning in the book world. I am not BookTok famous for posting snippets, and I don’t have publishers breaking down my door. If I wanted to make progress, I needed to take it into my own hands and open the door myself. Now my first series is being self-published, and while it has it’s challenges, I think this was the perfect change of plans for me and my goals.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

When friends and family, even people I don’t speak to very often, go out of their way to tell me they read my book and they loved it. I love when they tell me about significant parts that they loved, and characters they relate to. It really just reignites my love for writing and creating all over again.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @authorcaderenee
• Tiktok: c.renee.reads