Successful Teen Lit Con 2016

MELSA Teen Lit Con 2016Teen Lit Con 2016: A Huge Success   With an endorsement as the “best event of its kind in the US” from none other than National Book Award Winner Neal Shusterman, Teen Lit Con 2016 closed another chapter on this widely anticipated annual event.

More than 1,000 teens & other YA readers descended on Sibley High School for a day of author talks, breakout sessions, and literary fun. Readers came from as far away as Moorhead, Marshall, and Cedar Rapids, as all parts of the MELSA region. 12 Twin Cities schools received transportation awards to bring students to the event.

The national authors Neal Shusterman, Faith Erin Hicks, Jason Reynolds, and Leigh Bardugo filled the Sibley HS auditorium for their keynotes. Local authors drew enthusiastic readers at their panels. Other breakout sessions on writing & publishing also were packed.

A shout out to the more than 70 Ambassadors from all types of libraries, schools, and ”just people who like books” who helped make this Legacy-funded event a success. Partners Sibley High Sschool and ISD 197 (West St. Paul-Mendoota Heights-Eagen) were also vital to making it happen.

Ambassador Susan Bernstein, Carver County Library, was a champion Tweeter before, during, and after the event. You can see the fun by browsing the Twitter hashtag #teenlitcon for lots of pictures & comments.

As the happy readers streamed out their biggest question was, “When is Teen Lit Con 2017?”

News posting from Ann Walker-Smalley, Metronet

Teen Lit Con 2016

MELSA Teen Lit Con 2016 Teen Lit Con 2016 –  A day to celebrate teen literature, promote reading and writing, and to create a community of readers by connecting teens and authors.

May 7, 2016

Henry Sibley High School
1897 Delaware Ave, Mendota Heights

Free & Open to the Public – Doors open at 9:30am. First event at 10:00.

Posters featuring book covers or author pictures. Print and post at the library or school!

Use & follow the event hashtag #teenlitcon

This project made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

Teen Lit Con 2016 Authors Announced!

MELSA Teen Lit Con 2016Teen Lit Con author line-up for May 7, 2016!

Headliners

  • Neal Shusterman, author of 2015 NBA Young People’s Literature Award winner Challenger Deep
  • Jason Reynolds, author of Boy in the Black Suit. All American Boys, co-authored with Brendan Kiely, is on the PW Best YA Books 2015 list.
  • Faith Erin Hicks writes comics & graphic novels. The Adventures of Superhero Girl won an Eisner Award in 2014.
  • Sabaa Tahir is the New York Times bestselling author of the young adult fantasy An Ember in the Ashes. It’s been optioned for a movie.

Featured Local Authors

  • Pete Hautman returns! His most recent book is Eden West. Pete won the Young People’s NBA in 2004 for Godless.
  • John Coy, author of Crackback & Box Out, has a new book Gap Year coming out in 2016.
  • Derek E. Sullivan’s first book is Biggie. He’s from Nebraska.
  • Monica Ropal When You Leave is included in the Publisher’s Lunch BUZZ Books 2015: Young Adult Spring.
  • Dawn Kiehr writes young adult thrillers: The Cutting Room Floor & If You Wrong Us.
  • S.A. Bodeen published two new books in 2015 Lost & The Detour. She has 5 previous novels.

In addition to this great line-up of author presentations, there will be more breakout sessions, fun stuff in the Exhibit Hall, giveaways for teens, and additional literary excitement than ever!

Mark your calendar for May 7, 2016 at Henry Sibley High School.

To stay up-to-date on Teen Lit Con announcements, follow us on Twitter @TeenLitCon and sign up for email notices about transportation awards & other info.

Use & follow our hashtag #teenlitcon.

Twin Cities Teen Lit Con

MELSA Teen Lit Con 2015The Twin Cities Teen Lit Con brings teens together with their current and future favorite authors. Ten authors will participate in this second annual event on Saturday, May 9, 2015.

  • E. Lockhart
  • Gene Luen Yang
  • Gayle Forman
  • Matt de la Peña
  • Kirstin Cronn-Mills
  • Steve Brezenoff
  • Pat Schmatz
  • Patrick Jones
  • Rebecca Hahn
  • Jonathan Freisen

There will be author panels, featured speakers, writing workshops, breakout sessions and an exhibit hall with book sales, book signings, and other book related cool stuff to do.  Over 600 attendees enjoyed the fun at the 2014 Teen Lit Con and Con organizers are planning for an even larger crowd this year.

Check out 2015 Twin Cities Teen Lit Con details

MELSA Sponsors teen lit con

MELSA teen lit con 2014

The Twin Cities Teen Lit Con is where authors, books, teens and fun collide. There will be 10 amazing authors, breakout sessions and an action packed Exhibit Hall complete with photo booth, book arts, book signings and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with their favorite authors, explore other aspects of being a part of a reading community and attend workshops for writers.

Teen Lit Co 2014 is an event for readers of YA literature–teens & others. The event is free & open to the public. Click here for more details.

May 17 – 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Henry Sibley High School
1897 Delaware Avenue
Mendota Heights, MN 55118

Teen Lit Con 2014 is sponsored by MELSA with co-sponsors Metronet, Mackin, Addendum Books, ISD 197, & Dakota County Library. While the primary audience for the event is teens, all readers of YA lit are welcome to attend.