The young adult book The Unexpected is based loosely on experiences from Miss Patience’s own life.

It is on sale at Amazon.com and through Barnes and Noble.

Miss Patience said she had been writing since she was in school.

“It is young adult fiction based around this girl who like me just moved out of town,” she said.

“She has just finished high school, things were going good, then one of her old friends appears and is in a world of trouble.

“The story focuses around the character Samara helping her friend and it is mainly about facing your responsibility and how your choices have consequences.”

Miss Patience has returned to Stawell where she grew up after spending three years studying a diploma of community services at Ballarat’s Federation University.

She is now studying a certificate in writing online while living in Stawell.

Stawell librarian Kerry Wilson said it was fantastic to see a young author from the town receiving recognition for their work.

“I knew of Steffi when she was younger because she was always borrowing books,” she said.

“The Unexpected was released last month so it is great to see her doing well.”

Miss Patience said, despite submitting her manuscript to several publishers, news she was going to see her work printed had still come as a surprise.

“When I sent work to all those publishers I was surprised that out of all my manuscripts they picked up the shortest,” she said.

“I was very surprised because I have been writing ever since I was little.

“I was elated, jumped up and down and called everyone I could think of.”

She also said she will continue to write more novels in the young adult genre.

“I think I will focus on new stuff,” she said.

“I will stick with young adult fiction as my preferred genre.

“Most likely i will take inspiration from my experiences and life.”​