Karsten Knight bought his favorite R.L. Stine books at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Shoppers World in Framingham.

All through school, the Maynard resident attended book signings at the same Barnes & Noble.

Last week, he was the star attraction, holding a book signing and reading from his debut novel Wildfire.

While Wildfire is Knight’s first published book, he has been writing his whole life, starting with his first picture book at age 6.

In recent years Knight, has been very active on the online scene with his personal blog and Twitter account.

Knight has been on the radar of many book bloggers in the MetroWest area, many of whom came to hear him speak.

Before writing Wildfire, Knight was employed as a college admissions counselor. Leaving this job prompted Knight to pick up the pen once again and do what he loved.

“I realized that I had left something I loved for something mediocre,” said Knight.

Knight began his Barnes & Noble reading session by confessing he was a horrible public speaker. He went on to give an anecdote from when he was in 8^th grade and presenting at a mock Congress. He said his voice cracked in front a large group of his peers, who soon erupted into a thunder of laughter.

“High school is awkward for everyone,” said Knight. This idea is expressed throughout his new book as well.

Many were intrigued by Knight’s ability to write from the perspective of a female protagonist.

“It’s scary how easy I found it,” Knight joked. He said it is because he grew up with sisters.

A second and third book in the series will be hitting the shelves soon, titled Embers and Echoes and Afterglow, respectively.