Hi!

I'm Zoë, and I'm a 16-year-old writer in Louisville, Kentucky. Welcome to my blog! This is where I share updates about my books and my thoughts on the writing process, being a young author, self-publishing, and how to thrive as an author in today's world. You can learn more about me, look through my blog posts, ask me a question, see the list of my books, see my Instagram posts, subscribe to my blog, or become a member of this site to get access to exclusive writings and resources. I hope to see you around!

THE OTHERFOLK
BEYOND THE WALL

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BLOG POSTS

Meet Mary Todd

My first car.

2 days ago7 min read

Where Have I Been?!?

The cold, hard, here it is: it's been over a month since my last post.

May 163 min read

The Otherfolk Is Available - and Website Changes

On March 23rd, 2026, The Otherfolk officially turned one! To celebrate its birthday, I...

Apr 61 min read

Why Do You Create?

Everyone has a different answer, if they're introspective enough to care.

Apr 34 min read

"What's Your Biggest Problem In Life?"

We all crave the love of Christ. We're empty for it.

Mar 244 min read

The Otherfolk's Final Cover And A Price Drop (And Why You Can't Buy It Yet)

A year ago today, I launched The Otherfolk into the world. Now, it finally matches Beyond the Wall.

Mar 232 min read

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ABOUT ME

A photo of Zoe Cottrell; a young blonde teenage girl in a red shirt leaning against a brick wall

Hi, I'm Zoë Cottrell! I'm a 16-year-old writer living in Louisville, KY. I published my first book when I was 15. I aspire to help other authors and crafters follow their dreams like I have.

In my most recent blog post, I take a look at the common thought, "I can't publish a book, so I shouldn't write." Is this true? What's the root cause of this fear? Find out at zoecottrell.com!

Stay tuned to learn why you can publish a book no matter what stands in your way, get updates on the last book in the The Otherfolk trilogy, and more!

#authorsofinstagram

Ever noticed how AI does nothing but tell you you're right all the time? It's tempting to think that's "community", isn't it? In the 1930s, AI writing "help" was not an issue. However, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and several other writers still saw the need for real human encouragement and critique. They didn't know it, but their books would be renowned for decades. So why shouldn't we do the same?

Read about why you and your friends should start a writing club at zoecottrell.com, and stay tuned for resources you'll be able to use on your own or with a group!

#writingclubs #creativewritingclubs #writingcommunity

Happy New Year!! This past year has been a wild ride-from finishing line editing The Otherfolk to finding out my cover artist used AI to publishing Beyond the Wall, it's been up and down over and over. But looking back, even through all the stress and difficulty publishing brings, I'm so glad it all happened.

So what's next? 2026 is going to be a big year for me... look out for the end of the The Otherfolk trilogy, a new blog post schedule, members-only website features, a book containing all three The Otherfolk books, and more!

That isn't even all the fun that comes with New Year's Eve... Happy birthday to Charles!! (Okay, maybe that isn't actually fun. But still.)

This year has been a whirlwind that went by far too fast. I can't wait to see what next year holds. 🎉😄

Happy Thanksgiving! For a limited time, you can get both The Otherfolk and Beyond the Wall for only $11.99 - 20% off the usual price of $14.99! Usual shipping fees still apply. The offer is only valid through the link on my blog (zoetheotherfolk.wixsite.com/zoecottrell) today, Black Friday, and Saturday! Get your copy now through my blog (link also in bio)!

Happy Publishing day, everyone!!

1,331 days after I started writing The Otherfolk, its sequel, Beyond the Wall, is out everywhere!! Use the link in my bio to buy it direct from me. Find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble's website, or anywhere you buy books online! If you know me in person, reach out and I'll reserve a copy for you!

Direct from me: https://bit.ly/3XucYct

Three years, seven months, and fourteen days ago, a twelve-year-old girl started writing a story. 1,331 days later, after hundreds of edits, pages upon pages of ideas, plot maps, outlines, graphs, brainstorms, and notes, plus chapter rewrites and scene deletion, it's finally almost time.

Beyond the Wall, the sequel to my debut novel The Otherfolk, is out everywhere tomorrow.

There are only two days until Beyond the Wall is out in the world, but before that comes another very exciting announcement! The Cooperative Guild of Authors and Artists, a subset of @thehabit.co, is proud to present Firefly Tales, an anthology by 30 young authors and artists! Firefly Tales is comprised of 26 short stories by young authors, each illustrated by another member of the Guild. A short story of mine, The Sanctuary, is in Firefly Tales, and I'm so excited to finally see it out in the world!
Learn more at collaborativeguildauthorsartists.substack.com or purchase the book on Amazon!

Use the link in my bio to RSVP to Beyond the Wall's launch party—or just stay tuned to see what the process has looked like and what the future looks like...

Only three days until Beyond the Wall is out everywhere... And here's a peek at what it looks like inside, from the front and back covers to new illustrations to chapter formatting to an acknowledgement sneak peek!

Stay tuned for tomorrow and Thursday, when you'll get to see what the process looked like leading up to Friday and what'll happen after Beyond the Wall is out in the world. Then on Friday, either RSVP through the link in my bio to attend my launch party or keep an eye out for a video of how it went!

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THE OTHERFOLK
TRILOGY

The Otherfolk is a middle-grades fantasy trilogy of which two books are published. The third will release in 2026. The series follows Princess Anna Carillo as she and her friends navigate hidden worlds, terrifying threats, heartbreaking tragedies, and backstabbing betrayals. This thrilling, highly rated series will have readers on the edge of their seats from the first chapter.

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THE OTHERFOLK
BEYOND THE WALL

AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE

BLOG POSTS

Meet Mary Todd

Where Have I Been?!?

The Otherfolk Is Available - and Website Changes

Why Do You Create?

"What's Your Biggest Problem In Life?"

The Otherfolk's Final Cover And A Price Drop (And Why You Can't Buy It Yet)

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THE OTHERFOLK
TRILOGY

HAVE AN IDEA?

BECOME A MEMBER

Hi!

Subscribe and don't miss a thing

THE OTHERFOLK BEYOND THE WALL

AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE

BLOG POSTS

Meet Mary Todd

Where Have I Been?!?

The Otherfolk Is Available - and Website Changes

Why Do You Create?

"What's Your Biggest Problem In Life?"

The Otherfolk's Final Cover And A Price Drop (And Why You Can't Buy It Yet)

Browse by Category

ABOUT ME

FOLLOW ME

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SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe and don't miss a thing

THE OTHERFOLK TRILOGY

HAVE AN IDEA?

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THE OTHERFOLK
BEYOND THE WALL

THE OTHERFOLK
TRILOGY