The Story Behind the Author

Writer and dreamer… that is all I have ever wished to be.

I have always loved telling stories. As a child, I would set up my Barbie dolls and create little worlds with them, not realizing at the time that it was shaping something deeper within me. Writing did not truly begin until one morning in middle school, when I woke up before my alarm and turned on the television to watch an episode of Sailor Moon. Weeks later, I found myself at lunch with a pencil and notebook, simply writing. It became a way to place my imagination onto paper.

In high school, I met Denise Davis, and together we began writing even more. We created countless stories, each bringing our own characters into the worlds we built. Every evening, we would connect online and write back and forth in script form. It continued for years, and those memories remain some of my most cherished. Denise is still one of my closest friends today.

My first true written work began in college through fanfiction. By that time, writing had already become a part of who I was. For over thirty years, I continued writing, using it to refine my voice and grow more confident in my craft. I shared some of those works online, eventually moving them to Archive of Our Own under the name Crystillineyuy.

“Don’t die with the stories in your mind. The world deserves to read them.”

In the fall of 2024, I experienced a personal turning point. Memories I had long buried resurfaced, and I realized I needed to speak with someone. Through BetterHelp, I met Lori McDunn, a therapist who encouraged me in a way I will never forget. Those words stayed with me and gave me the push I needed to take the next step.

With that encouragement, I wrote my first full draft, a story I had carried with me for years. Denise became the first reader, followed by a few others I trusted. Around that same time, I rediscovered an old diary filled with poetry from my college years. That collection became Life is Poetry, while Princesses Don’t Wait became my first full novel.

I remember the moment it went live. I cried.

Now, I am on this journey as an author, and I am excited to see where it leads.

The Meaning Behind the Name

The pen name Heiwa Akers reflects the author’s deep personal inspirations. Heiwa, the Japanese word for peace, represents a quality she has embraced for many years. Akers is her mother’s maiden name, honoring a woman she values deeply for her compassion and strength.