A Seton Hall University sophomore published his second novel last month which was picked up by Barnes&Noble, among other major distributors.
Luke LaChac, of Sparta, N.J., finished the novel last year.
The book, "17: Sky's Limit," is the second book in a two-part series.
LaChac's first novel, "17: Sky Illuminating," was published in the fall of 2010 during his senior year of high school.
While LaChac's first novel was available in local bookstores, "17: Sky's Limit" will be available in 30,000 bookstores nationwide, including Barnes&Noble, IndieBound.org, and Alibris.com.
"I believe success is relative," LaChac said.
"While I am proud of my recent accomplishments, I refuse to reflect for too long knowing that there is so much more potential in time spent working hard on something I love."
LaChac began writing at 16, inspired by a high school teacher's daily conversations on universal truth, which he disagreed with wholeheartedly.
"What's funny about the situation is she wanted us to think about universal truth," LaChac said. "But I ended up writing about the opposite of that. I wrote the entire book on relativism."
"It was in her class that I wrote the majority of the first book instead of taking notes," he added with a laugh.
LaChac describes his first novel as a stream-of-consciousness rebuttal to his teacher's arguments, something she would not let him physically voice, so he did so through the journal of his main character, Sky.
Sky is a 17-year-old high school student who, through journaling at the request of his psychiatrist, explores the idea of a universal truth and attempts to create his own utopia based off of his beliefs, according to LaChac.
In "17: Sky's Limit," LaChac explores the legitimacy behind the argument of a universal truth in order to give his series balance.
"I tried to explore both philosophies," said LaChac, "But there's always an impasse between the two sides, and shows that in both are a legitimate argument."
LaChac wrote his first novel without the intention of ever publishing it, until a teacher encouraged him to do so.
While the book was completed when he was 17, it was not published until he was 18, due to his status as a minor and not being able to sign a publishing contract, LaChac said.
The "17" in LaChac's book titles, did not refer to his character's age. It is the number LaChac's childhood friend wore on his soccer jersey until he died in fourth grade, according to LaChac.
LaChac intends to schedule local book signings throughout the year, including one at Seton Hall. He has also begun writing a new novel, separate from the Sky series.
LaChac is president of Seton Hall's literary magazine, The Chavez, a brother of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and on Dean's List.
LaChac is studying to obtain a tri-degree in secondary education, special education and history. He hopes to continue an education in American history.
Though he began an early career as an author, LaChac has more in mind for himself.
"I'm not only interested in writing," LaChac said. "You can't live your life on a plateau. I'm trying to branch out by trying as many new things as possible."
Ethan Arnowitz can be reached at ethan.arnowitz@ student.shu.edu
