Sharilyn Saxton

Sharilyn Saxton writes character-driven, emotionally rich YA science fiction set in deeply immersive future worlds. Her stories blend cinematic action with intimate, first-person voices, giving readers heroines and heroes who are bold, flawed, funny, and achingly human. Known for vivid sensory detail, grounded futurism, and worlds shaped by politics, culture, and family bonds, her writing delivers high stakes with a warm, heartfelt core. Whether she’s following a reluctant leader on Mars or a rebellious teen on a far-future Earth, Saxton’s work is all about courage, connection, and coming-of-age under extraordinary pressure.

Her creative work is grounded in a lifelong passion for speculative storytelling. Saxton holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from California State University, Fresno; a Professional Certificate in Writing for Video Games from the University of British Columbia; and a Professional Certificate in Fiction Writing, along with a Master Class in Novel Writing, from the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. She is the recipient of the James Kirkwood Literary Prize for her short story “All the Gold Stars,” about a troubled teen fighting to be seen in a world that refuses to accept him. A story developer, game enthusiast, and AI art hobbyist, Saxton brings all these disciplines together in The Planet Rebels Journey series. Xandra of Mars is her debut novel.