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Texas Teen Book Festival

11th Annual Texas Teen Book Festival at Southwestern University with 35 Notable Young Adult Authors

The Texas Teen Book Festival celebrates the teen reading experience by inviting fans to visit with some of the most popular and critically acclaimed young adult authors in the country. 

The one-day TTBF is Saturday, October 12th from 8:30am-6:30pm at Southwestern University in Georgetown. TTBF remains free and open to the public thanks to generous donors, sponsors, and dozens of committed volunteers.

The Festival was born as the Austin Teen Book Festival in 2009, when librarian Heather Schubert partnered with BookPeople to organize a gathering at Westlake High School. Five hundred guests and 16 authors attended the first year and the event has grown every year. One of the largest gatherings of its kind anywhere, the annual TTBF takes place in the fall on the campus of Southwestern University. 

The 2019 author lineup will feature award-winning authors Mary H.K. Choi, David Yoon, Gabby Rivera, Abdi Nazemian, Christopher Myers, Lauren Shippen, and others. This year marks the 11th anniversary for the Texas Teen Book Festival, which will take place on Saturday, October 12th at Southwestern University and remains free and open to readers of all ages.  

“I am so excited about our phenomenal lineup this year,” says Texas Teen Book Festival Program Director Meghan Goel. “Featuring a dynamic slate of books that range from terrifying thrillers to star-crossed romances to epic fantasies, this list truly offers something for every reader. We are also proud to highlight such a wide variety of new books and imprints that celebrate culture, identity, and foster dialogue about social awareness and engagement. As we move to our new home at Southwestern University, I look forward to reconnecting with the thousands of attendees who have supported this festival for 11 years and meeting new readers in Georgetown.”

Attendees will be able to enjoy author sessions and panels, book signings, workshops, and vendor displays perfect for young adult readers of all ages. This year’s lineup is full of renowned and award-winning authors. Among others, Mary H.K. Choi,  culture correspondent on Vice News Tonight and New York Times bestselling author of Emergency Contact, will discuss her newest novel, Permanent Record, a witty, heartfelt romance featuring the inescapable influence of social media on everyday life.

TTBF will also showcase David Yoon,  illustrator of New York Times bestseller Everything, Everything, who will present his debut novel, Frankly in Love, a thoughtful story of navigating expectations and first love. 

Producer, screenwriter, and author Abdi Nazemian, whose novel The Walk-In Closet won the 2015 Lambda Literary Award, will present his most recent work, Like a Love Story, a love letter to queer individuals seeking self-expression and individuality. Lauren Shippen will present The Infinite Noise, her debut novel based on her award-winning science-fiction podcast, The Bright Sessions.

Award-winning children’s author and illustrator Christopher Myers will discuss the launch of his own imprint with Random House Children’s Books, Make Me a World, which reflects Myers’ vision: to publish a selection of books that open up new worlds, possibilities, and pathways for young readers of all ages. Award-winning author Akwaeke Emezi will also present their new YA novel, Pet, the first novel to be published by Make Me a World. 

The Texas Teen Book Festival is a collaboration between Texas Book Festival, BookPeople, a dedicated team of librarians, and Southwestern University. The program is also made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information, please visit www.texasteenbookfestival.org and keep up with announcements at Facebook.com/TexasTeenBookFestival and on Twitter and Instagram @TXTeenBookFest.

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