Teen Voices on Knowing Yourself and Creating Your Future
A collaborative book project for teenage authors exploring identity, purpose, self-expression, relationships, decisions, entrepreneurship, and pivotal moments of awareness.
The Teen Identity Project invites approximately 30 teenage authors to write and publish a personal chapter about one of the most important questions we ever ask:
"Who am I, and how am I choosing to express that in the world?"
This book is for teens who are discovering their voice, learning what matters to them, making meaningful decisions, creating something new, navigating relationships, starting businesses, finding purpose, or experiencing moments of awareness that are shaping who they are becoming.
Applications are now open for teen authors and their parents/guardians.
What Is The Teen Identity Project?
The Teen Identity Project is a collaborative book featuring teenage authors who are willing to share honest, meaningful stories about identity, purpose, and becoming.
Each teen author will contribute one chapter to the book. Their chapter may focus on a personal experience, a turning point, a decision, a business idea, a creative project, a relationship lesson, a challenge they overcame, or a moment when they began to understand themselves in a deeper way.
This is not about having life completely figured out. It gives teens a safe, guided opportunity to reflect on who they are, what they value, what they are learning, and how they want to express their identity in the world.
"What would you say to another teenager who feels lost, unseen, or unsure of who they are?"
One of the chapter prompts given to every teen authorWho This Is For
The Teen Identity Project is designed to serve teenagers, parents, schools, youth organizations, entrepreneurship programs, leadership groups, churches, coaches, counselors, and mentors who want to help young people develop confidence, clarity, purpose, spiritual grounding, and a stronger sense of identity.
Suggested age range: 14–19.
Core Themes of the Book
Teen authors may write about one or more of the following themes.
Who am I?
What do I know about myself now that I did not know before?
What matters to me?
What kind of impact do I want to have?
How does knowing myself affect the choices I make?
How has self-awareness changed the way I show up with friends, family, peers, or community?
How am I building, creating, leading, serving, or expressing something that reflects who I am?
What experience helped me see myself, my life, or my future differently?
How do I express my identity through my voice, art, business, leadership, values, style, service, or choices?
How the Process Works
Sign Up for a Parent & Teen Clarity Call
Before joining the project, parents/guardians and teens are invited to attend a live clarity call with Keren. This call is designed to answer questions, explain the writing and publishing process, and help families decide if the project is a good fit.
Submit the Teen Author Application
Interested teens will complete a short application with parent/guardian involvement. The application will ask for basic information about the teen, their story idea, their interest in the project, and the themes they may want to write about.
Parent/Guardian Consent Form
Because this project involves minor participants, a parent or legal guardian must complete a consent form before the teen can participate.
Teen Author Group Begins
Selected teen authors will join the writing group and receive guidance through the chapter-writing process. They will be supported with prompts, structure, encouragement, and editing guidance so their chapter is clear, authentic, and meaningful.
Chapter Development and Editing
Each teen author will draft their chapter, receive feedback, revise their work, and approve their final chapter with parent/guardian awareness.
Book Publication
The completed book will be professionally prepared for publication and released as a collaborative book featuring the participating teen authors.
Book Marketing to Amazon Bestseller
Each of the authors will receive promotional marketing collateral about the book to post and send to their friends and family on launch day.
The Parent & Teen Clarity Call
We know families may have questions before deciding whether this project is the right fit. That is why the first step is to attend a Parent & Teen Clarity Call with Keren.
This call is for both parents/guardians and teens. It is a chance to ask questions, understand the process, and determine whether participation feels aligned.
Everything you need to decide if this is the right fit
- The purpose of The Teen Identity Project
- Who the book is for
- What teen authors will be writing about
- How the writing process works
- What support teens will receive
- What parents/guardians need to know
- Consent and participation requirements
- Timeline and expectations
- Frequently asked questions
- Next steps for applying
What Teen Authors Will Write
Each teen author will write a personal chapter connected to identity and self-expression. Possible chapter topics include:
- A moment when I realized who I really am
- A time I stopped trying to fit in
- How I discovered my voice
- Why I started a business, project, or creative idea
- A relationship that taught me something about myself
- A decision that changed my direction
- A challenge that helped me grow
- How my values affect my choices
- What purpose means to me right now
- How I express who I am through creativity, leadership, service, or entrepreneurship
- What I want other teens to know about becoming themselves
My Story
What I Used to Believe
What I Realized
How It Changed My Choices
How I Am Expressing Who I Am Now
My Message to Other Teens
Teen authors are not expected to figure this out alone — every author is guided through this exact structure with prompts and encouragement.
Why This Matters
Teenagers are often asked what they want to do. This project invites them to ask something deeper: Who am I becoming?
When teens begin to understand themselves, they make different decisions. They choose different relationships. They create from a more honest place. They become more aware of their values, strengths, voice, boundaries, gifts, and purpose.
The Teen Identity Project gives young authors a platform to reflect, write, publish, and encourage others.
This book is not only about storytelling. It is about helping teens see that their voice matters now.
Benefits of Participating
Teen authors will have the opportunity to:
Become a bestselling published author
Gain credibility as an author opening future opportunities
Develop confidence in their voice and story
Reflect on identity, values, decisions, and purpose
Learn how to structure and write a meaningful personal chapter
Be part of a positive peer author community
Share encouragement with other teens
Experience the publishing process
Use their chapter as part of their personal story, leadership journey, college application narrative, business platform, or creative portfolio
For Parents & Guardians
Because this project includes teen participants, parent/guardian involvement is highly encouraged.
Each chapter will be 1,500 to 1,700 words plus a 50 word bio and a photo of the author.
This allows churches, businesses, grandparents, community leaders, schools, or donors to sponsor teens with powerful stories who may not have the financial means to participate.
- Review the project information
- Attend or watch the clarity call
- Give written consent for participation
- Provide accurate contact information
- Support their teen through the process
- Review participation expectations
- Understand that the teen's chapter may include personal experiences
- Help ensure the teen is comfortable sharing their story publicly
The goal is to create a respectful, encouraging, age-appropriate process where teen voices are honored and supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Teen Identity Project?+
Who can participate?+
Does my teen need to be an experienced writer?+
What will my teen write about?+
How long will each chapter be?+
Will my teen receive help writing the chapter?+
Will the chapter be edited?+
Will parents/guardians review the chapter?+
Can my teen write about difficult experiences?+
Is there a cost to participate?+
What is the Parent & Teen Clarity Call?+
Do both the parent and teen need to attend the clarity call?+
What happens after the clarity call?+
When will the book be published?+
Where will the book be available?+
Will the book become a bestseller?+
Will my teen receive author credit?+
Can this help with college applications or future opportunities?+
Can my teen promote the book?+
Can my teen use a pen name?+
What if my teen is nervous about sharing?+
How do we get started?+
Ready to Learn More?
The first step is to join an upcoming Parent & Teen Clarity Call with Keren. Bring your questions. Come curious. You do not need to have your chapter idea fully figured out. This is simply the first step toward discovering whether The Teen Identity Project is the right opportunity for your family.