Hermiston High School student Ben Armstrong poses with some admirers before signing copies of an anthology in which his story “Sleigh 54” appears. The book signing took place on Armstrong’s birthday, Oct. 20.

HERMISTON — Ben Armstrong, a junior at Hermiston High School, may have just taken his biggest step yet as a published author.

The 17-year-old’s short story, “Sleigh 54,” was recently published in “What Remains: An Inked in Gray Anthology,” edited by Dakota Rayne and San G. Crow.

Armstrong’s story earned its place among 16 tales in the book. Three hundred short stories had been considered for publication; all but the 16 were rejected, Armstrong said.

Hermiston High School staged a signing party for Armstrong, who said he previously had been published on a few small websites. Family members attended — his mother, his father, his stepfather, his stepmother and his sister. Friends, his girlfriend, teachers and other well-wishers also showed up to the gathering. Everyone took their turn swarming around the young author in his moment of triumph.

Delia Fields, Hermiston School District librarian, organized the party and gave Armstrong’s story a positive review.

“It’s very clever and very creative,” she said. “For me, it’s a fun kind of scary story, because I’m not into some of the super creepy dark ones. It’s just enough twisted.”

Armstrong’s sister, Amy, said, Writing has “always been Ben’s thing.”

“I’m glad he’s going further in it,” said Amy, a Hermiston High freshman.

She has helped her brother as a proofreader. As such, she knows his work very well. She said, this latest story, “Sleigh 54,” is something he wrote years ago and has reworked since. He has many other tales to tell, Amy said.

Ben Armstrong said he is a good student, though he may not be a “scholarship, straight-A student,” like others he knows.

Teacher John Larson, who stood in line for Ben’s autograph, disagreed with Armstrong’s self-assessment.

“He’s a great student,” Larson said. “He’s very imaginative, very creative.”

Larson also had high praise for “Sleigh 54.”

“I love it,” Larson said. “I think it’s great.” He added that the story is “creepy,” but it fits in with a horror anthology.

Another teacher present at the signing, Erica Hearne, also was happy with Armstrong’s achievement.

“At this age, having (a story) published in a national publication is huge,” she said.

The young author said he expects to expand into novellas and then novels. Not limited to horror tales, he also writes historical fiction and other genres.

Inspiration, Armstrong said, comes from other writers, especially historical fiction novelists, such as Alan Gratz, and fantasy novelists, such as George R.R. Martin and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Armstrong said he wants to be a history teacher. He said he finds the American Civil War intriguing and likes to read and write about it.

“When I was younger, I was mostly interested in the battles and fights,” Armstrong said, “but now I lean more toward the time period and setting. I write stories of meaning.”

Copies of “What Remains: An Inked in Gray Anthology,” are available for checkout at the Hermiston High School library and can be purchased on Amazon.com, as well as other online retailers. More information is at the publisher’s website, inkedingray.com.