Teen Day Schedule
The below events were scheduled for the 2020 festival. Check back in the future for details about the 2021 schedule.
Saturday, March 28
| 8:00 to 9:00 AM Session Details | |
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| Teen Writing Workshops* Kick off your day at Bookish in the ‘Burgh with a free writing workshop! Dust off your plot bunnies and gain helpful input from teaching artists and experienced writers from in and around Pittsburgh. We recommend trying a writing genre that’s new to you - you never know what might click! Genres will include: fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, playwriting, songwriting, journalism, comedy, rap, and more! |
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| Book Club: Color Me In by Natasha Díaz* Start the day engaging in a Bookish in the 'Burgh Book Club discussion with your friends and peers. Before attending the festival, read Color Me In by Natasha Díaz. Then, share your thoughts in a book discussion led by one of our Bookish Teen Ambassadors. |
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| Anti-Racist Workshop for Teens and Tweens with Tiffany Jewell* The topic of racism permeates almost every topic of discussion from the movies to education, politics and beyond. It’s up to a new generation to dismantle the systems previous generations have put in place. Tiffany Jewell, educator and author of This Book is Anti-Racist, will lead a workshop for teens and tweens on how to wake up, take action, and do the work of anti-racism. Learn about spending your privilege, misrepresented histories, allyship, and how to build a better world. |
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| Book Club: I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver* Start the day engaging in a Bookish in the 'Burgh Book Club discussion with your friends and peers. Before attending the festival, read I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver. Then, share your thoughts in a book discussion led by one of our Bookish Teen Ambassadors. |
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| 9:15 to 10:15 AM Session Details | |
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| It's All in the Family: Family Dynamics We connect with fictional family dynamics that feel raw, messy, and real. Explore how writers build family relationships that help us find deeper meaning and connections in our own families. Participating Authors: Randy Ribay, Natasha Díaz, Mason Deaver, Rachael Lippincott, Michelle Ruiz Keil, Heather Demetrios |
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| A Whole New World: Creating Immersive Worlds Stumped on how to make your fictional worlds jump off the page? Learn how to craft imaginative fantasy and sci-fi worlds that your readers will want to journey to again and again. Participating Authors: Ryan La Sala, S. Jae-Jones, Sarah Tarkoff, Julie C. Dao, Adrienne Young |
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| Meet Me in the Middle: Authors Who Write for Pre-Teens* In this panel designed specifically for pre-teens, join notable authors to discuss adventure, imagination, growing up, and identity. Participating Authors: Jonathan Auxier, Caroline Carlson, Nick Courage, Kacen Callender, Roshani Chokshi, Tiffany Jewell |
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| 10:15 to 10:45 AM | |
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| Post-Panel Signing Stay after your session to get books signed by our 9:15 to 10:15 AM author panelists. Books will be available for sale from our presenting sponsor, Riverstone Books. |
Panel Locations |
| 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Session Details | |
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| Twists & Turns: Plotting Strategies If plotting a novel fills you with fear, learn new techniques and strategies from writers whose books feature intricate plots, multiple points of view, alternating timelines, and other plot challenges. Participating authors: Kit Frick, justin a. reynolds, Brittany Cavallaro, Emily Henry, Julie C. Dao, Tiffany Jackson |
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| Power & Agency: The Intersection of Fantasy and Feminism If “strong female character” is a phrase that makes you roll your eyes, join these authors for a conversation about authentic female-identifying characters who are messy, loving, imperfect, brave, funny, scared, and yes - strong. Explore the ways in which fantasy settings allow us to better understand feminism. Participating Authors: Roshani Chokshi, Rebecca Kim Wells, Adrienne Young, Isabel Ibanez, Michelle Ruiz Keil, Nicki Pau Preto |
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| The Real World: YA Style* Books that take place in contemporary settings allow us to safely explore challenges we face every day. Join these authors to explore how they write contemporary teen stories that give us strength, help us grow, and teach us empathy. Participating Authors: Emery Lord, Ashley Woodfolk, Siobhan Vivian, Claire Kann, Mark Oshiro |
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| 12:00 to 12:30 PM | |
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| Post-Panel Signing Stay after your session to get books signed by our 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM author panelists. Books will be available for sale from our presenting sponsor, Riverstone Books. |
Panel Locations |
| 1:30 to 2:30 PM Session Details | |
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| When the Going Gets Tough: Healing From the Hard Stuff Reading can be a way to find solace while living through difficult situations. Join these authors to discuss how they create environments for readers to find companionship with characters struggling through similar tough situations (discussion will include themes such as abusive relationships, sexual assault, mental health, and grief). Participating Authors: Mindy McGinnis, Heather Demetrios, Michelle Ruiz Keil, Brittany Cavallaro, Ashley Woodfolk, George M. Johnson |
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| The Good, the Bad, and the Real: Crafting Authentic Characters* We all know that characters are the foundation of good stories, so two-dimensional characters will bring your stories crumbling down. Gain insight from authors on how to create relatable, authentic, well-rounded characters that your readers will wish they knew IRL. Participating Authors: Jim Rugg, A.K. Small, Randy Ribay, Julie C. Dao, Mark Oshiro |
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| 2:30 to 3:00 PM | |
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| Post-Panel Signing Stay after your session to get books signed by our 1:30 to 2:30 PM author panelists. Books will be available for sale from our presenting sponsor, Riverstone Books. |
Panel Locations |
| 3:15 to 4:15 PM Session Details | |
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| We Need Diverse Books: Race Representation in YA Every teen deserves to see themselves in the pages of a book, and these authors of color write books that highlight and champion the stories of marginalized teens of color. Discuss the importance of representation in teen literature that is truly diverse and inclusive of all backgrounds and cultures. Participating Authors: Natasha Díaz, Kacen Callender, Rebecca Kim Wells, Claire Kann, Isabel Ibanez, Randy Ribay, Tiffany Jackson |
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| It Takes Two: Writing Relationships* From family to friendship to romance, relationships are complex and multi-dimensional. Learn how these authors craft layered relationships that feel authentic and keep their readers invested and engaged. Participating Authors: Emery Lord, Roshani Chokshi, Mindy McGinnis, Ashley Woodfolk, Roselle Lim, Rachael Lippincott |
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| 4:15 to 4:45 PM | |
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| Post-Panel Signing Stay after your session to get books signed by our 3:15 to 4:15 PM author panelists. Books will be available for sale from our presenting sponsor, Riverstone Books. |
Panel Locations |
| 5:00 to 6:00 PM Session Details | |
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| Paths to Publication From pitch contests to the query trenches, every individual road to publication is winding and unpredictable. Perfect for any writer hoping to be published someday, this panel will share concrete tips and tricks for navigating the publishing industry. Participating Authors: Siobhan Vivian, Nicki Pau Preto, S. Jae-Jones, justin a. reynolds, Roselle Lim, Kit Frick |
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| It's All Rainbows Here: LGBTQIA+ Representation in YA Whether you are a teen identifying as LGBTQIA+ or an ally to your friends on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, teen books featuring these diverse stories are vital. Join champion authors of inclusive teen literature to discuss the importance of representing and celebrating queer teens by showcasing their stories in books. Participating Authors: Kacen Callender, Claire Kann, Mason Deaver, Ryan La Sala, George M. Johnson |
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| 6:30 to 8:15 PM | |
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| Author Signing Party: Author Meet & Greets* After getting most of your books signed throughout the day in the Bookish post-panel signings, this is your chance to spend some time getting to meet your absolute favorite authors and get your last few books signed. Books will be available for sale from our presenting sponsor, Riverstone Books. |
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| Author Signing Party: Teen Activities* In this party hosted by teens, for teens, enjoy free activities designed with teens in mind, including screenprinting, button-making, an Open Mic event to read your poems or prose, and the chance to hang with other teens at talk about your day at Bookish. |
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