At Stoney Wines, we believe in celebrating individuals who have made the world a better, safer & more innovative place. This week, we raise our glass to Anaya Lee Willabus, the youngest female author to publish a chapter book in the United States—a child author prodigy who proves that brilliance doesn't wait for permission and age is never a barrier to making history.

At just 9 years old, Anaya published her first book, "The Day Mohan Found His Confidence," a story about a boy overcoming self-doubt. While most kids her age were reading chapter books, she was writing them. She wasn't waiting to grow up to chase her dreams—she was living them in real time.

But Anaya didn't stumble into writing by accident. She was intentional. She loved stories, loved words, loved the power of imagination. And when she realized she had stories to tell, she didn't let anyone convince her she was too young to be taken seriously.

Her achievement wasn't just remarkable because of her age—it was groundbreaking because she became one of the young Black authors carving out space in an industry that has historically excluded voices like hers. She showed Black girl writers everywhere that they didn't need to wait for anyone's approval to tell their stories.

Since that first book, Anaya hasn't stopped. She's continued writing, publishing more books that center on themes of confidence, resilience, and self-discovery. She creates characters that reflect the world she wants to see—one where young people, especially young Black kids, see themselves as heroes, dreamers, and problem-solvers.

But Anaya's impact extends far beyond her own pages. She's become a youth literacy advocate, traveling to schools and community centers to inspire other young people to pick up a pen and write their own stories. She speaks openly about the importance of representation in publishing and encourages kids—especially girls of color—to believe that their voices matter.

She's living proof that you don't have to wait until you're older, more credentialed, or more "ready" to make an impact. She's shown that inspiring young writers starts with being one yourself—unapologetically, boldly, and without waiting for the world to catch up.

At 23, Anaya is still writing, still advocating, still inspiring. She's building a legacy that started when she was in elementary school, and she's not slowing down. She's proven that age doesn't determine your ability to contribute, create, or change the narrative.

Anaya understands that stories shape how we see ourselves and the world. That when Black girl writers tell their own stories, they're not just creating entertainment—they're creating possibility. They're giving the next generation permission to dream bigger, speak louder, and refuse to be invisible.

So as we pour a glass of Stoney Wines this month, we honor Anaya Lee Willabus for her courage, her creativity, and her commitment to making sure every young person knows they have a story worth telling.

🥂 Here's to Anaya—a writer, an advocate, and a young woman who didn't wait for anyone to make space for her. Cheers to her ongoing work and the countless young writers she's inspiring to pick up the pen.

Know someone using their talent to inspire the next generation? Drop their name in the comments—we'd love to raise our glass to them too.