Schedule of Events

Close to You: Contemporary and Fantasy Romances We Love

Let these incredible YA authors sweep you away in a romance full of swoons, starry eyes and our favorite tropes!

Room A and B
Moderator: Cat Bakewell

Makiia Lucier
F.T. Lukens
Samantha Markum
Trinity Nguyen
Rachel Lynn Solomon
 

The Apple Don’t Fall Far from the Tree: Retellings of Classics, Myths and Legends

Like a breath of fresh air, we love that our favorite stories get a new twist in these retellings! Join YA’s biggest authors to hear all about bringing new life to timeless tales.

Room C
Moderator: Haley Calvin

Alexandra Bracken
Chloe Gong
Tiffany D. Jackson
Aiden Thomas

I Could Be Your Bodyguard: Action and Adventure Leaping off the Page

Wild times and fast rides, let’s hear all about how action and adventure speed up the pace and keep our eyes glued to the page! 

Room D
Moderator: Emily Morgan

Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Namina Forna
Byron Graves
Andrew Joseph White
LaDarrion Williams

Super Graphic Ultra-Modern: Why We Love Graphic Novels

The best of both worlds, graphic novels are full of art and stories that we simply have to share, so let’s get together and spread the love! 

Small Business Center
Moderator: Soman Chainani

Lamar Giles
John Hendrix
Molly Knox Ostertag 

You Only Come Out at Night: Thrills and Chills 

All the scares and dares: join us to talk about these horrors and thrillers that are simply too good to put down (even when you have to read with the light on)! 

Room A and B
Moderator: Kassie King

Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Lamar Giles
Tiffany D. Jackson
Andrew Joseph White

Life's Better on Saturn: A Quest to Build Sci-Fi/Fantasy Worlds

Charge your spaceship and fill your traveling pack: this panel is all about creating sci-fi/fantasy worlds that we love to get lost in. 

Room D
Moderator: Angie Rundle

Alexandra Bracken
F.T. Lukens
Molly Knox Ostertag 
LaDarrion Williams

All Over Every Single Street: Bringing Locations to Life

These novels bring locations to life, like a visit all around the world. While this panel is technically in St. Louis, it’s sure to be a whirlwind trip! 

Downstairs Library Stacks
Moderator: Rajean Erbar

Namina Forna
Chloe Gong
Makiia Lucier
Trinity Nguyen

Cling to Your Papers and Pens: Writing Your Own Book

So you want to write a book? We can help with that! Hear from some of YA’s best all about their own writing processes and where to start on your authorship journey. 

Small Business Center
Moderator: Stephanie Skees

Byron Graves
Samantha Markum
Rachel Lynn Solomon
Aiden Thomas

That’s That Me, Espresso: Main Character Energy

These authors all embody main character energy in their books. Let’s hear all about how to bring big personalities to life on page. 

Room D
Moderator: Stephanie Skees

Alexandra Bracken
Namina Forna
Chloe Gong
Tiffany D. Jackson
Makiia Lucier
LaDarrion Wiliams

You Know How to Ball, I Know Aristotle: Extracurricular Activities

All of these books have a different extracurricular activity at its center. Hear all about bringing to life a love of sports, food and more! 

Downstairs Library Stacks
Moderator: Desiree Schumann

Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Lamar Giles
Byron Graves
Samantha Markum
Rachel Lynn Solomon

Birds of a Feather: Queer Found Family in YA 

We’ll rescue each other! Let’s celebrate the queer found family at the center of these reader favorite stories. 

Small Business Center
Moderator: Angie Rundle

F.T. Lukens
Trinity Nguyen
Molly Knox Ostertag
Aiden Thomas
Andrew Joseph White