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St. Louis County Library and The Novel Neighbor bookstore are thrilled to announce the first in-person St. Louis area book festival celebrating teen readers.

The St. Louis Teen Book Festival will take place on Saturday, December 3, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, 1201 S. Warson Road, St. Louis MO 63124. The event is free and open to all readers.

The festival will feature book talks, author signings, and meet-and-greet opportunities with 16 amazing young adult authors. The festival line-up includes a diverse group of fan-favorite, bestselling young adult authors from all genres, as well as the hottest debut voices and local authors.

Teachers and librarians are invited to attend an Educator Night with the authors on Friday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Daniel Boone Branch, 300 Clarkson Rd. Ellisville, MO 63011. Light refreshments and complimentary drinks will be provided. RSVP by emailing teenzone@slcl.org.

Festival authors include:

Jenna Evans Welch: bestselling author of hit rom-com YA novels, including “Love & Gelato,” basis for the Netflix film

Ryan La Sala: popular YA author of surreal fantasy, including his latest “The Honeys”—described as “pure horror gold” by Booklist

Adrienne Young: internationally bestselling author of the “Fable” fantasy series

Randi Pink: critically-acclaimed contemporary YA author of social justice-centered novels including “Angel of Greenwood”

Dustin Thao: author of one the hottest debut novels in recent years “You’ve Reached Sam”

Kiera Cass: #1 New York Times bestselling author of the “The Selection” series

The full author line-up and festival schedule is available at www.slcl.org/teen-book-festival.

Promotional sponsorship provided by HEC Media and Educate Today.

 

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE 

 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremony - Author Parade and Remarks from Headline Authors

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 1:45 - 2:30 PM – Author Panels: Session 1

 Screaming, Crying, Perfect Storms: Books that Make Us Cry 

Panelists: Jas Hammonds. Dustin Thao, Randi Pink, Jeff Bishop

 

It’s a Love Story: Romances We’ve Fallen For

Panelists: Samantha Markum, Emma Mills, Kiera Cass, Michelle Mason, Bill Konigsberg

 

Fighting Dragons with You: Epic Fantasy and Magical Moments

Panelists: Adrienne Young, Joan He, Emily Bain Murphy, Jenna Evans Welch 

 

Cover Up a Scene: Mysteries and Horror that Thrill and Chill

Panelists: Jody Feldman, Ryan La Sala, Sara Farizan

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 2:45 - 3:30 PM -- Author Panels: Session 2

 

The Very First Page: Debut Authors on Writing and Publishing

Panelists: Jas Hammonds, Jeff Bishop, Jody Feldman, Samantha Markum 

 

Write it Down for Me: Influences and Inspiration

Panelists: Joan He, Emily Bain Murphy, Ryan La Sala, Dustin Thao

 

Still Writing Pages: Our Favorite Tropes and Why They Work

Panelists: Emma Mills, Adrienne Young, Jenna Evans Welch, Kiera Cass

 

Say You’ll Remember Me: Historical Fiction Throughout Time

Panelists: Randi Pink, Bill Konigsberg, Sara Farizan, Michelle Mason

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4:00 - 5:00 PM - Book Signing Sessions

Books provided for purchase and signing by The Novel Neighbor

 

Media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer McBride, Communications Manager at jmcbride@slcl.org or 314-994-3300 ext 2250.

 

Program sites are accessible. Upon two weeks’ notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Contact St. Louis County Library by phone 314-994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org.

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