Schedule of Events

St. Louis Teen Book Festival

Saturday, October 10, 2026

St. Louis County Library will host the St. Louis Teen Book Festival on Saturday, October 10 starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Clark Family Branch. The festival is free and open to all readers. Recording or streaming is not allowed. 

Featured Authors

Sign Up for Festival Updates

 

9:30 a.m.

Doors Open

10:00–10:40 a.m. - Opening Ceremony (Post Event Space)

Keynote Conversation with YA romance authors Lynn Painter and Jasmine Guillory, Author Parade

11:00–11:45 a.m. - Breakout Session 1

I’ve Known You for Ages:
Historical Fiction Favorites 

Our favorite historical fiction transports you through time, teaches you about history, and expands your world view. Go on a journey with these incredible authors.

Location: Room A/B
Moderator: Meredith Hopping, St. Louis County Library

Panelists
Libba Bray
Hafsah Faizal
Ayana Gray
Randy Ribay

 

You’re a Spark in the Dark:
Meet Cutes and Chemistry in Romance 

Nothing is more important than a meet cute! Listen to these top romance authors talk about the importance of connection and character work in romance novels. 

Location: Room C
Moderator: Kassie King, The Novel Neighbor

Panelists
Brittany Cavallaro 
Jeff Zentner
Sarah Dessen
Jasmine Guillory
 

 

I Just Took a Page Out:
Writing Your Own Story

Calling all young writers! Learn about honing your craft and take away essential tips and tricks for writing and publishing your own book from some of YA’s best authors.

Location: Room D
Moderator: Desiree Schumann, The Noble Neighbor

Panelists
Jessica L. Cozzi
DeAndra Davis
Maureen Johnson
Ama Ofuosa Lieb

 

It’s a Government Drone or an Alien Spaceship:
Building the Collapse in Dystopian Fiction 

Our favorite dystopias build new and scary worlds while commenting on the flaws in our own. Hear from these dystopian authors on how their speculative stories come to be.

Location: Small Business Center
Moderator: Haley Calvin, The Novel Neighbor

Panelists
Soman Chainani
Chloe Gong
Ava Reid
Scott Reintgen

11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. - Lunch

Two food trucks (K-Bop STL and Sweet Waffle) will be available to purchase food during the lunch break.
Sodie Speciality Drinks will have dirty soda options available for purchase from 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring a sack lunch to enjoy.

1:00–1:45 p.m. - Breakout Session 2

I Knew It, I Knew You:
Crafting Characters and Friendships That Last

Complex characters and friendships are at the center of each of these stories. Let’s talk about how to write characters with rich inner lives and relationships that jump off the page.

Location: Room A/B
Moderator: Angie Rundle, St. Louis County Library 

Panelists
Libba Bray
Chloe Gong
Samantha Markum
Lynn Painter

 

My Deep Misunderstanding of Your Life:
Contemporary Issues for Today’s Reader 

What issues are facing today’s teens and how do we explore them through the books we read? These stories and authors get into the conversations that matter most and always keep it real. 

Location: Room D
Moderator: Stephanie Skees, The Novel Neighbor

Panelists
Soman Chainani
DeAndra Davis
Sarah Dessen
Adib Khorram
Jeff Zentner
 

 

Run From the Sunlight, Dracula:
Thrills, Chills and Horror

These authors bring all your nightmares to life. Hear about these stories that keep your heart pounding and go bump in the night–if you dare!

Location: Downstairs Library Stacks
Moderator: Heather Neill, St. Louis County Library

Panelists
Ryan Douglass
April Henry
Ava Reid
Randy Ribay

 

Creatures Like You:
Bringing Fantasy Worlds to Life

Unroll your maps and get ready for blast off. This panel is all about mythical beings and getting lost in science fiction and fantasy worlds.

Location: Small Business Center
Moderator: Emily Morgan, The Novel Neighbor 

Panelists
Hafsah Faizal
Ayana Gray
Ama Ofuosa Lieb
Scott Reintgen
Tesia Tsai

2:00–2:45 p.m. - Breakout Session 3

It’s So Easy to Fall in Love with Me:
Romance Tropes and Stories We Love

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

Location: Room D
Moderator: Catherine Bakewell, Author "Where Shadows Bloom" 

Panelists
Jessica L. Cozzi
Adib Khorram
Samantha Markum
Lynn Painter

 

You Studied My Crown:
Who and What Inspires You to Write 

Who inspires us and how do they help us find our own ideas to put on the page? Let’s share and learn about literary influences big and small. 

Location: Downstairs Library Stacks
Moderator: Tom Bober, Librarian, Clayton School District

Panelists
Ryan Douglass
Jasmine Guillory
Tesia Tsai
 

 

I’ll Leave Without a Trace:
Mysteries that Keep You Guessing

Peel back the layers of these stories that keep you on your toes. Hear all about these mysteries, but remember, question everything and believe no one!

Location: Small Business Center
Moderator: Rajean Erbar, The Novel Neighbor

Panelists
Brittany Cavallaro
April Henry
Maureen Johnson

 

3:15 p.m. - Author Book Signing (Post Event Space)

Books available for purchase from The Novel Neighbor.