Written by Isabella B., Woodside Library
The 2026 Young Adult Novelist Convention(YANovCon) is coming up on Saturday, February 28, from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM, opens a new window at the Belmont Library! Join us for a teen writing workshop, discussion panels and a Q&A session featuring your favorite YA authors. (Keep reading to find out who!) You won't want to miss our author book signings with books available for purchase on site, thanks to Linden Tree Books, opens a new window.
Submit Your Story
Feeling inspired by this year’s theme, Fantasy vs. Reality: Escape into Fiction? Enter your own short story in the YANovCon Short Story Contest, which is open now until January 23. The contest is open to 8th-12th graders who reside or go to school in San Mateo County. Discover more info about prizes, read through submission guidelines and submit your story now!
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Contest winners will be announced during YANovCon!Check out the full anticipated schedule below.
Anticipated Schedule
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Writing Workshop for Teens, hosted by Arriel Vinson
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM | Intro/Welcome
2026 Teen Short Story Contest Winners Announced
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM | Keynote Address with Don Martin
Q&A session led by TBD
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | Session 1: Heroes, Quests, and Coming of Age: How Teen Tropes Connect With the Real Journeys of Teens Today
Moderated by Aimee Phan, with panelists Cait Levin, T.L. Simpson, Lily Anderson and Axie Oh
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM | Session 2: Worlds Within Us: Looking at Identity, Belonging, and Truth Through Different Lenses
Moderated by Axie Oh, with panelists Laura Gao, Robbie Couch, Aimee Phan and Arriel Vinson
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM | Session 3: Resistance Worldbuilding – Fantasy vs. Real-Life Fiction: Steps Different Authors Take To Build the Worlds Their Characters Live In
Moderated by Robbie Couch, with panelists Jackie Johnson, Ana Ellickson, Kalynn Bayron and Kristy Boyce
4:00 - 4:30 PM | Book Signing with All Authors
Support your favorite YA author by stopping by the Linden Tree Books booth to purchase a book and get it signed before you leave!
Featured Authors
Curious about the authors who will be there? Here is our full line-up of award-winning, notable and new young adult novelists. Find each author’s full bio at YANovCon 2026!
- Lily Anderson, opens a new window
- Kalynn Bayron, opens a new window
- Kristy Boyce, opens a new window
- Robbie Couch, opens a new window
- Ana Ellickson, opens a new window
- Laura Gao, opens a new window
- Jackie Johnson, opens a new window
- Cait Levin, opens a new window
- Don Martin, opens a new window
- Axie Oh, opens a new window
- Aimee Phan, opens a new window
- T.L. Simpson, opens a new window
- Arriel Vinson, opens a new window
Featured Titles
Check out the books that will be featured at this year’s convention!
Kirby's Lessons for Falling (in Love)
Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire
Which authors are you most excited to see? Which of these books is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll see you at YANovCon at the Belmont Library on Saturday, February 28!
Add a comment to: Enter 2026 YANovCon’s Short Story Contest!