Tulsa City-County Library is connecting teens and adults to young adult literature and authors by hosting a full day of programs aimed at celebrating YA readers, fans and writers. With workshops led by renowned young adult authors, Tulsa’s Day of YA gives readers and aspiring writers the opportunity to develop their writing skills and discuss books in a fun, collaborative, enriching environment.

   The Day of YA will be held at Central Library, Fifth Street and Denver Avenue, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22. This all-day conference will be preceded by a keynote address and book signing at Central Library on Friday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m., featuring Justina Ireland, author of YA bestseller “Dread Nation,” and moderated by Tulsa Artist Fellow Juliana Goodman. Day of YA keynote address and conference are free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided at the all-day event, but registration is required.

   YA authors who will lead discussions and workshops at the Day of YA include Justina Ireland, Cindy Pon, M. Molly Backes, Ally Carter, Sonia Gensler and Juliana Goodman. These workshop panelists will aim to provide participating teens and adults with creative writing tips, publishing industry information and a chance to discuss their favorite books.  

   Workshops and seminars comprising the Day of YA include:

  • Women in YA: A Panel Discussion
  • Storytelling Fundamentals
  • Who Is Your Narrator? The Importance of Point of View
  • Women Writers Challenging Myths: Panel Discussion on Sandra Cisneros’s “The House on Mango Street”
  • Ask Me Anything: Publishing
  • Character Building: Craft Talk and Q&A
  • Who Is She? Panel Discussion on Identity in YA

   The Day of YA will conclude with a book signing, and titles by featured authors will be available for purchase.     

   In addition to giving participants fresh insight into the world of young adult literature and publishing, the Day of YA aims to strengthen young adult communities and encourage lifelong learning and creative expression through collaboration and skill building. The Day of YA also seeks to prepare aspiring young writers for participation in TCCL’s Young People’s Creative Writing Contest, which encourages Tulsa’s youth to stretch their imaginations and deepen their relationship with writing by telling their stories in their own words. Details about the Young People’s Creative Writing Contest can be found at www.tulsalibrary.org/YPCWC.

   The Day of YA is made possible by partnerships with The University of Tulsa’s Nimrod International Journal and Tulsa Studies in Women’s Literature journal, and the Tulsa Library Trust.

   For more information about the Day of YA or the Young People’s Creative Writing Contest, call 918-549-7323 or visit www.tulsalibrary.org/teens.

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