It is a right of passage for any author.

After a new book is published, adoring fans wait in line for a chance to meet the author and have their copy of the book signed.

At St. Francis Xavier Elementary, 28 brand new authors had the chance to sign copies of their newly published book and be congratulated on their hard work during a book signing at the school Friday.

The book was the work of the first grade students at St. Francis and marks the second year the first grade classes have come together to write, illustrate and publish a book.

“We had so much fun last year and it is a really good opportunity for them to use their creativity and learn the writing process,” first grade teacher Katie Emfinger said. “To see them be creative and be proud of their work was worth every bit of it.”

Last year, the students each had to write a story about animals, but this year they were given the freedom to write on any topic of their choice. The final book included stories about princesses, unicorns, the American Flag and even about a Pugzilla.

“Whatever they wanted to write, that is what they wrote,” Emfinger said. “It was awesome. A lot of people think that just because they are 6, they can’t be creative and they can’t write and do stuff like this. To see them use that creativity and actually see what they created in a book, it is amazing.”

The students went through multiple rewrites before putting together the final drafts in pen and drawing the illustrations for the book. The stories were then collected and published in hard or soft back editions that were unveiled to parents at the book signing Friday.

Writing the book enabled students to gain skills in grammar, handwriting and creativity as they went from a blank page to a completed story along with artwork of their own creation.

“I think she (my daughter) had so much fun working on this book with her classmates and teacher and for her to be able to take this book and look at it for years to come, it is going to give her a sense of accomplishment,” said Chesley Lambiotte, whose daughter was one of the authors.

At the signing, the authors’ parents had the chance to meet with each of the first graders and have their copy of the book signed by each student who wrote a story.

“I am so proud,” Lambiotte said. “It is really fun to hear her talk about what they do during the day and they actually see it, hold it and cherish it is really something special.”