Young Adult Novelist Convention (YANovCon) 2024

Panel Discussion & Author Book Signing

eThe Peninsula Libraries' 9th annual Young Adult Novelists’ Convention (YANovCon) will take place Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the South San Francisco Library | Parks & Recreation Center (901 Civic Campus Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080).

New this year, we are excited to open the convention with a Writing Workshop for Teens, which will be led by novelist Lily Meade. Following the workshop, author Ray Stoeve will be joining as our keynote speaker in this free half-day celebration. The day's events include a teen-led Q&A session followed by three different panel discussions on topics related to this year's featured theme: To Be You: Identity in the Age of Censorship.

This year's YANovCon proudly features the following award-winning, notable, and new young adult novelists:

Julie Abe / Candace Buford / Kara HL Chen / H.E. Edgmon / Maurene Goo / Byron Graves / Jason June / Sean McGinty / Lily Meade / Lio Min Sonora Reyes / Ray Stoeve /  Hannah V. Sawyerr

The day concludes with author book signings, with books available to purchase on site thanks to our wonderful partnership with Books Inc.

Anticipated Schedule:

Writing Workshop for Teens, hosted by Lily Meade: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Intro/Welcome: 12:00 - 12:15 PM

  • 2024 Teen Short Story Contest Winners Announced 

Keynote Address with Ray Stoeve: 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM

  • Q&A session led by Keiran Hennelly, 2023 Teen Short Story Contest Winner

Session 1: 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

  • Topic: Building Empathy through Teen Literature: Exploring Different Identities & Perspectives
  • Moderator: Candace Buford
  • Panelists: Julie Abe, Maurene Goo, Byron Graves, and Lily Meade

Session 2: 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

  • Topic: Authenticity Unleashed: Defying Conformity and Self-Censorship
  • Moderator: Julie Abe
  • Panelists: H.E. Edgmon, Jason June, Sean McGinty, and Hannah Sawyerr

Session 3: 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

  • Topic: Resistance Through Words: The Role of Teen Authors in Social Change 
  • Moderator: H.E. Edgmon
  • Panelists: Candace Buford, Kara HL Chen, Lio Min, and Sonora Reyes

Book Signing with All Authors: 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM

We've partnered with Books Inc., opens a new window to have books available for purchase at the event.

Lineup of Authors

What Can You Do to Get Ready for YANovCon?

Please Note:

  • YANovCon is appropriate for families including middle and high school students. Some mature topics could be discussed in the sessions.
  • At the time of the event, we will follow San Mateo County’s health orders.
  • Parking is available near the South San Francisco Public Library | Parks and Recreation Center, but we highly recommend carpooling and using public transit to reduce your impact on the environment. Our new building is easily accessible via CalTrainSamTrans and Bay Area Rapid Transit (Bart).

    Please note that we do anticipate a crowded event. If needed, additional parking spaces are available at our City's Municipal Services Building (33 Arroyo Dr.), which is located across the street from the Library | Parks and Recreation Center and has an underground lot in addition to street-level parking. Entrance to this lot can be found along El Camino Real, near the Arroyo Dr. stoplight.

Archive of YANovCon:

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