Annika Crum, an Author Conservatory alumna, tied for first place in the Aurora Awards’ Young Adult category in January. The young adult author enrolled as a student in The Author Conservatory four years ago, where she learned writing craft and business skills from world-class industry professionals. She graduated from the program in 2025 with 3 completed novel manuscripts.
The Aurora Contest, started by Realm Makers in 2023, is designed to provide opportunities for writers working toward releasing their first novel. The contest is broken up into multiple rounds and lasts over six months, with teams of readers selecting the best writing excerpts to advance to the next round. The awards involve a winner for each various categories, from Young Adult to Fantasy to Middle Grade.
Winners receive multiple rounds of feedback on their writing from professionals in the industry. Professional editors and publishing house owners also review books that make it to the final round and give commentary for authors. Additionally, the winning author is announced at the annual Realm Awards.
Crum was announced as winner of the Young Adult category at the end of January. Shortly after, she received a manuscript request for her project. Her second submission entered in the Adult category advanced to the semifinals.
In an announcement of her win, she expressed her excitement in getting to represent The Author Conservatory in this contest. She thanked the instructors, especially the editors she worked with in her time as a student. Crum addressed Brett Harris and Kara Swanson, founders of the Author Conservatory, thanking them for “this school where I could develop the skills and courage to write these stories and take risks.”
Annika Crum is the author of Golden Footprints, a short story featured in “Voices of the Future: Stories of Bravery & Belonging.” She writes stories of quiet courage in wondrous worlds and graduated from The Author Conservatory in 2025 with dual certificates in Creative Writing & Publishing and Business & Entrepreneurship.
