At 14, she's a published author. It's no mean feat

While most children need assistance in writing their school essays, this young lady's book will be published soon. Meet Ashaani Taneja, she's only 14 and has won the prestigious "Manuscripts Award" at the famous Dehradun Literature Festival. The annual festival aims to give literary exposure to both students and residents of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Ashaani studies in Class 9 at Welham Girls School located in Dehradun. She's been an avid reader and often found in a corner absorbed in her favourite novels.

Her favourite books include Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Ashaani started writing her book when she was 12 and the book is a tale of two lovers in Mars.

"Her book has been selected not because she's just a 9th grade student also because the book is so apt, intriguing and displays very mature writing for her age," Dehradun Literature Festival director Anurag Chauhan told WION. She now falls in the category of young published authors, the likes of whom include Alexander Pope's An Ode on Solitude (written when he was 12).

The competition received entries from various unpublished competent authors who were much older than her, the fest organisers told WION. Famous author Ruskin bond presented her with the prestigious award.

"We like to give equal opportunity to all individuals from what ever age group they may be. The aim of this festival is to celebrate brightest literary minds across continents," said Chauhan.

Every year, the festival organisers host a competition for budding unpublished authors who's manuscript receive an award from famous authors. This year it's Ruskin Bond.