Every young reader has that moment, curling up with a book, closing the last page, and whispering, “One day, I’ll write my own.” The League of Extraordinary Young Writers (LXY), created by Milap Publications, exists to make that dream less of a “someday” and more of a “right now.” It’s a stage where children and teenagers don’t just read stories, they create them, complete with guidance, recognition, and a published book they can proudly hold in their hands. Because honestly, who says authors have to be grown-ups?
Each year, LXY throws open its doors to children aged 13–19 (and yes, even younger dreamers can join in with a parent’s nod of approval). The process begins with something simple: a synopsis of their book idea, a short introduction about themselves, and, if they wish, details of illustrations. From these submissions, 30–50 of the most exciting concepts are chosen.



But here’s the twist, selection isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning. Once in, the young authors are paired with “Book Doctors,” mentors who help polish their ideas into full-fledged manuscripts. It’s like having a coach for creativity, someone to guide without taking away the magic. By the end, each child doesn’t just have a story, they have a professionally published book with their name on the cover.
For a teenager, nothing beats the feeling of seeing their words turned into a real book. But LXY goes beyond that rush of holding fresh pages. Each author gets a certificate of achievement, a personalized recognition letter sent to their school (cue the proud smiles), and copies of their printed book. Even better, their work appears on platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, GoodReads, and GoogleBooks, and is available as an e-book for readers everywhere.
Each year, Milap Publications selects 30–50 of the best submissions from young writers, photographers, and artists. While most participants are between 13 and 19 years old, younger voices are welcome too, with parental permission, of course. Though many entries come from India, LXY is open to young people from across the globe.
And here’s what makes it unforgettable: every published author gets:
And for those who want to take it further (optional add-ons, sometimes chargeable):
It’s more than just a book, it’s a head start into the world of publishing.
Joining LXY is simple, but it does take a little effort. Here’s what you need to send:
That’s it! You’re ready to be considered for the League!
The true magic of LXY shines through its alumni. Take Sowmya Nigam currently in Grade 11 in Mumbai, whose The Day After Yesterday – Let There Be Stars in My Eyes sparkles with originality. Or Rayaan Sonawala, whose The Indian Edge captured readers with its fresh perspective. And then there’s Tara Singh, now pursuing Creative writing at Yale University, another bright voice nurtured by the program. These names are proof that extraordinary writing can come from unexpected places, like a teenager’s notebook.
They’re not just authors; they’re role models for the next wave of young storytellers waiting in the wings. With every edition, LXY adds more voices, more stories, and more proof that creativity doesn’t need wrinkles or experience, it just needs a chance.