“Julius’s laugh is heavenly. It is as if he possesses some magical ability to disavow the looming consequences we all may soon face. We—not just me, not just him, but all four of us. Because if we do this, if we steal these priceless paintings, if we get caught…we are giving up everything.”

Chasing Snails is my first non-fantasy fiction work, a novel that delves into the intense and often surreal world of life at a prestigious university. It is based loosely on my experience at the University of St. Andrews and the personalities I have met while living abroad. It follows the journey of a student deeply immersed in the academic pressures of an economics degree while being drawn toward the world of art. The story captures the tension between societal expectations and the pursuit of creative passion. As the protagonist navigates this complex environment, they encounter a range of intriguing characters and become entangled in the shadowy world of an underground art scene, where ambition, creativity, and danger collide. This novel explores the sacrifices required to achieve greatness and the fine line between reality and art, offering a thought-provoking tale of self-discovery, ambition, and the price one pays for chasing their dreams.

Chasing Snails has completed its second draft and happily made its way through the beta reading stage. However, after my time at the University of Iowa’s Creative Writing Workshop, I’ve discovered new dimensions within the novel that I’m currently exploring through revision. Most notably, I’m shifting the tense from present to past—a process I’m unsure how long will take, but one I’m genuinely excited about. The heart of the story remains the same, and I’m looking forward to seeing how these changes deepen the narrative.

In the meantime, you can read the first chapter (of the present tense version) here!