The World When Young is a travel memoir piece from J. L. (Jacky) Stephenson, a self-published project from 2020, following an emergency evacuation from Italy. The short work was an attempt to meet Stephenson's "published before age 20" goal.

The World When Young is a travel memoir from a young writer who has been fortunate enough to explore corners of the world that many may never get to see themselves. Stephenson shares his experiences with a youthful honesty, pure emotional recollection and stark realization. Stephenson encourages his readers to get out, meet someone, do something new. Written over a span of two years across the United States, Latin America and Europe, "The World When Young" is an attempt to characterize the depths of the human spirit of adventure.

Stephenson was born and raised outside of Dallas, Texas and now resides in the Pacific Northwest. An MFA candidate with an affinity for travel, culture and gastronomy, this is their first self-published collection of short travel memoirs.

They credits their literary writing style to the influence of Jim Harrison, Anthony Bourdain, Joan Didion, William Finnegan and James Michener. Stephenson took to travel literature as his dream and passion at a young age, and will continue to search the world for new experiences for the whole of their life.