Writing a YA Fantasy About Star-Crossed Power, Fate, and Rebellion

By Jeanne Yue 

The stars wrote her out of history. Now she’s writing herself back in.

On May 30, 2025, I’m releasing my debut YA fantasy novel Heir of the Dying Constellation, the first in a five-book series called Crown of Hollow Stars. It’s a story about fate, celestial magic, and a girl who was never meant to be remembered—but refuses to be erased.
 
This post is a peek behind the curtain—how I built the world, shaped Caelia’s journey, and why I chose to self-publish this series as an indie author.

✨ Why I Chose a Celestial Fantasy World

I’ve always been drawn to the idea of stars as storytellers. What if constellations weren’t just patterns in the sky, but living blueprints of fate? In Heir of the Dying Constellation, your constellation determines everything—your future, your family, even your worth. 

But what happens when you’re marked by a constellation that no longer exists? 

That question sparked the birth of Caelia Orien, a girl born under a Hollow Mark, and the entire kingdom of Astradell, where stars rule and silence can be more dangerous than prophecy. 

👑 The Chosen One—But Not the Way You Expect

Caelia isn’t your typical chosen one. 

She didn’t ask to be special. She didn’t train for greatness. She spent her life hiding from the sky. But when a forbidden star falls and awakens the Hollow Constellation inside her, she’s pulled into a world of secret crowns, broken thrones, and a rebellion she never saw coming. 

I wanted to explore what happens when destiny chooses someone... and they choose to say no. 

📖 What It’s Like Writing as an Indie Author

I chose to self-publish this series because I wanted creative freedom—from cover design to character pacing to the voice of the world itself. 

Being an indie YA fantasy author means doing a little bit of everything: writing, editing, marketing, and connecting directly with readers. It’s tough—but deeply rewarding. If you’re here reading this, it means we’re already creating this journey together.

🎨 Cover Art, Worldbuilding, and That Skyglass Disc

One of my favorite parts of creating Heir of the Dying Constellation was designing the Hollow Mark and the Skyglass disc, a relic tied to Caelia’s forgotten lineage. 

Every chapter in the book reflects a layer of the world—from the Seers and the Court to the long-lost Starfallen rebels who refuse to let the old crown die quietly. 

The cover (which I helped conceptualize!) features a glowing constellation wrapped around Caelia’s silhouette—symbolizing both her isolation and her cosmic bond. 

🔮 What to Expect in Book Two: Throne of Blackened Light

Caelia’s journey is just beginning. 

In Book 2, she must travel to the exiled Obsidian Court and face shadows that know her name better than she does. Old enemies return. New ones rise. And the stars? They’re watching her more closely than ever.

🛸 Ready to Rise?

If you love: 

• Slow-burn fantasy rebellion
• Fate versus free will
• Powerful girls with dangerous secrets
• Star-crossed magic and unraveling prophecies

...then Heir of the Dying Constellation was written for you.

📚 Release Date: May 30, 2025
🔮 Preorder link available now at Kobo & Amazon
 
Let’s rewrite the stars together.
 
— Jeanne Yue