This coming Saturday, The Book Cellar will host the first annual Chicago Young Adult Book Fest. The fest will take place at Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 North Lincoln, beginning at 10am and concluding at 7pm.
Suzy Takacs, the owner of The Book Cellar and organizer of the fest, explains that it was local YA author Ted Goeglein who first suggested she host the event. Being that this is the first YA festival that either of them has planned, Takacs and Goeglein opted to keep it simple and scheduled a one-day event with consecutive (as opposed to simultaneous) panels. However, the simplicity of the festival works in the favor of the attendees since it means that you won’t have to pick one panel in lieu of another. And, in case you cannot make the whole day, most of the authors are scheduled to appear on two different panels.
Takacs has thoughtfully included a few small twists throughout the fest to ensure it is memorable and unique. Instead of a name badge for entrance, each guest will be given a rubber wristband (a la LIVESTRONG). Each panel will begin with a song that highlights its theme. For example, “Video Killed the Radio Star” will precede the panel about the influence of various external forces such as fan fiction and social media on writing while “Let’s Talk About Sex” will play before the panel on—you guessed it—sex and the YA novel. Following the conclusion of the fest, everyone is invited back to The Book Cellar for a book signing and the opportunity to hear the authors read each other’s work.
With eighteen YA authors scheduled to be in attendance, there is sure to be something of interest there for everyone, young adult or not. (Kim Steele)
May 9 Chicago Young Adult Book Fest at Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 North Lincoln, (312)744-7616, 10am-7pm. Free.
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