Last Updated 1 month by Amnon J. Jobi | Amnon Front Page

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Feb. 8 marks the city’s Young Authors Day. Dozens of newly published Indianapolis authors showcase their work on Saturday at a community literacy fair.

Community advocate and literacy leader Tevin Studdard created the Literacy Entrepreneurship and Dreams program, or LEAD, teaching people of all ages to publish their own books.

For high school athletes, Studdard comes in after school or practice throughout the week to teach kids the bookmaking process, including creating a sellable product on Amazon. He also teaches them out to manage their own profits.

For adults, Studdard teaches a three day intensive workshop in the evenings with a focus on book concept, content, formatting and publishing.

“They write about food, write about marriage, everything, sports, careers,” Studdard said. “It’s amazing to see all of these talented individuals just come out and support.”

At just eight years old, Chelsea Yeakey can already write “#1 Amazon Selling Author” on her resume.

“It helps me express myself out to other people,” Yeakey said.

Her book, titled “Exercise Time with Rosie” is a true expression of the dance, paint, and piano lover she is. It’s just one of the hundreds of books Studdard has helped publish in the last few years, many of them on display at Saturday’s fair.

Author Trace McMillian, who is a realtor and author, has watched his success skyrocket. He wrote “Little Landlords: Real Estate 101 for Kids!”

“Oh, this book is so important,” McMillian said. “You can choose financial literacy to real estate, it starts all the way from teaching them how to buy, how to sell real estate, what real estate is, what a landlord is, different types of real estate … this is what you can do with and for the community, not just be involved, but also to support and give an opportunity, which is a tool to elevate our community and elevate our youth. I feel like now’s the time and there’s no better time than now.”

Studdard says he looks forward to continuing his mission in increasing literacy rates around the city.