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The trio wrote the stories last year as eighth graders at Paynesville Area Middle School as a class assignment and submitted them for publication as extra credit.

The stories were supposed to be based on a true story, and then the students could expand on it. Lieser and Van Eps reported that their stories were based on real experiences but both added drama. Lieser wrote about a swimming mishap in the Crow River, and Van Eps wrote about a mother and son getting lost on their way to the doctor in the Twin Cities.

Ninth graders Kayla Lieser, Cassey Lund, and Chris Van Eps had stories - written last year as eighth graders - published in the 2004 edition of the "Anthology of Short Stories by Young Americans" in January.

Lund wrote her story about a snowmobiling accident on Lake Koronis. Her story was completely fictitious, she said, though she does like to go snowmobiling.

The students were notified last summer about the selection of their stories, the pending publication of the book, and given an opportunity to purchase a copy of the book.

The book, with their stories, arrived in January. "I had completely forgot about it until the book came in the mail," said Lund, who described herself as excited to see her name and story in print.

It was exciting to have a story published, agreed Lieser, who only wishes that she had gotten a better grade for her story. "Must have been pretty good if it got published," she said. Both Lund and Van Eps, who said he completely forgot about the story and also was surprised to get the book, said they got good grades on their stories.

Lieser and Lund said English is one of their favorite subjects in school. Van Eps said geometry is his favorite subject but English comes pretty easy for him.

Over the next three weeks, the Press will republish each of their short stories, beginning this week with Lieser's story. Casey Lund's story on Feb. 2, 2005, and Van Eps' story on Wednesday, Feb. 9.