In the summer of 2026, Courtney Pham published her memoir, detailing her experience of losing one of the most important things to her: her voice. Courtney is a current 10th grader at Central High School in Philadelphia. Her book The Space Between Silence and Sound, was developed from her very own diary entries that were transformed and published for the world to see.
1) Most 15-year-olds don’t write memoirs, but then again, most 15-year-olds don’t get a cyst on their vocal cord. What inspired you to write a memoir so young?
Initially, I never planned to write a memoir. Instead, I documented my experiences before, during, and after vocal cord surgery in a diary. In English class, my teacher shared that her son had self-published a short story while in high school, which inspired me to consider turning my own writing into a book.
Looking back, I remember how alone I felt throughout the process and how literature became my primary outlet. I searched online for a book about the specific procedure I was about to undergo, but couldn't find one. Using my diary as a foundation, I decided to write the book I wished I had found: one that could help future patients navigate a similar experience and, hopefully, feel a little less alone.
2) Writing a book can be a very challenging process. What/who do you think helped you the most throughout your book writing journey?
Two people were especially instrumental in bringing my memoir to life: my aunt, who has self-published her own book, and a mentor from Penn Talent Search. Both provided invaluable feedback, particularly on the structure and flow of different scenes. Self-publishing through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing also came with its own challenges, especially formatting the manuscript for publication, but my aunt was incredibly helpful in navigating that process. I'm immensely grateful for her guidance and support throughout this journey.
3) Do you see yourself writing any more books in the future? And if so, would you continue writing memoirs? Or perhaps another genre?
I could definitely see myself writing another book in the future, whether it's another memoir or something entirely different. Perhaps it would be inspired by another significant life experience or an area I've developed a deeper understanding of over time. Writing ideas tend to come to me spontaneously, so I'm excited to see what might inspire my next project. For now, I'm happy to have shared this particular chapter of my life with others.
4) If you could describe your memoir in 3 words, what would they be?
Self-discovery, resilience, and heartfelt. These three words capture the themes of my memoir, from learning more about myself through a challenging experience to finding the strength to move forward. Most importantly, they reflect what writing this book has meant to me personally.
5) What was the most important thing you learned from your experience with your voice?
The most important lesson I learned was the importance of patience, especially when it comes to recovery. Just one week after my vocal cord surgery, I competed in DECA Districts, and I struggled to give myself enough time to rest and process everything I had experienced. I often tried to rush my recovery by distracting myself with schoolwork and extracurricular activities, hoping the time would pass more quickly. Looking back, I realized that recovery isn't something you can force; sometimes, you have to slow down and give yourself the time you need.
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6) What is a piece of advice you wish everyone knew?
I believe resilience is one of the most valuable qualities we can develop. Whether we're navigating a major medical challenge or a seemingly small setback, learning to move forward takes patience, consistency, and hope. Resilience doesn't mean rushing past difficult experiences; it means giving ourselves the time to learn, recover, and grow from them.
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