EVERGREEN PARK, IL — The first ever and soon to be famous Ever Read YA Literary Festival kicks off Saturday, March 16 at Evergreen Park Community High School, 9901 S. Kedzie Ave. Celebrating the young adult book genre, or YA, the free festival runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The literary festival is FREE and open to YA readers of all ages.
Presented by Evergreen Park Community High School and the Evergreen Park Public Library, this is the first event of its kind celebrating young adult literature in the south suburbs. The day features author panels, writing workshops and book signings in the award-winning EPCHS learning resource center.
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“While the festival is open to readers of all ages, the opportunity for students to meet authors,
attend thought-provoking panel discussions, and write their stories in workshops will be
academically and personally powerful,” said EPCHS Media Specialist Dr. Tina Ward.
Combined with children’s literature, young adult, or YA, novels are an $11 billion market, embracing themes of paranormal love triangles, apocalyptic aftermaths, fantasy, horror, thrillers and more. Young readers are drawn to the diverse characters and life experiences. It’s not just kids who are reading YA. Fifty-five percent of young adult readers are over 18.
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Ten YA authors will participate in the literary fest, selling and signing books, meeting fans and offering advice to aspiring writers about getting their YA novels published, including: Liesl Schurtiff, James Klise, Adi Alsaid, Myah Bawadi, Brian “BMAN” Bebenderade, Rebecca Garner, Kim Oclon and Z Jeffries.
Leading the talented lineup are acclaimed authors Amanda Joy and Arshay Cooper. These big-league authors will discuss their literary works, their inspirations, and the power of their stories.
Amanda Joy is a Chicago author and self-described “bookstagrammer.” She will discuss her debut fantasy novel “A River of Royal Blood” which is a Junior Library Guild Selection. School Library Journal describes “A River of Royal Blood”: Filled with mythical creatures, ancient traditions, sibling rivalries, political intrigue, and epic world-building, this book stands out as a masterful adventure.” When Amanda is not writing thrilling fantasy novels, you can find her touring the city’s coffeeshops, and trekking around Chicago with her dog Luna.
Arshay Cooper is a Rower, Benjamin Franklin award-winning author, the protagonist of the critically acclaimed film “A Most Beautiful Thing,” a Golden Oar recipient for his contributions to the sport of rowing, motivational speaker, and activist, particularly around the issues of accessibility for low-income families. Cooper grew up on the West Side of Chicago and in 1997 joined (which later became) the country’s first all-Black high school rowing team at Manley High School. Together in conversation, Amanda Joy and Arshay Cooper will ignite our imaginations and reveal the power of telling our stories.
The first 150 teens, ages 12-18, to register online will receive a free book coupon and a festival swag bag. Register at Ever-Read YA Literary Festival, or contact Mary Black at at 708-422-8522 or Dr. Tina Ward at 708-424-7400.
The Ever-Read YA Literary Festival is supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, The Gift of Carl Foundation, Evergreen Park Library Foundation, Evergreen Park Community High School Foundation, Evergreen Park District 124 Education Foundation, EPCHS Alumnae Kevin Hovorka, Desmond & Ahern Associates, author C.J. Rose, Jeanine and Mike Olson, Margaret Murray, Mayor Kelly Burke, Scannell & Associates, The Seidl Family, Patricia Durkin, The Vucsko Family, Sen. Bill Cunningham, Cook County Commissioner John P. Daley, The Donoghue Family, The Martinez Family, The EP Podcast, Lemolade, Core Fitness & Physical Therapy, Bookies of Chicago, and Elizabeth and George Vogel.
Schedule Overview:
10:30 to 11 a.m. – Registration
11 to 11:20 a.m. – Opening Ceremony with Mayor Kelly Burke, The Gift of Carl Foundation, Evergreen Park Library Foundation, Evergreen Park High School Foundation.
11:30 to 12:15 p.m. – Writing Workshops
The Big Story Machine: How to Get Started with author James Klise
Fantasy and Sci-fi World Building with author Myah Bawado
Drawing Comics with artist and author Brian “BMAN” Babendererde
12:30 to 1:15 p.m. – All author panel moderated by professor and poet Tara Betts
1:30 to 2:15 p.m. – Breakout sessions
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Book signings; visit Bookies of Chicago to purchase books in the LRC
See the complete schedule
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