F191.
Young Adult Literature: The Essentials
Friday, February 9, 2024
1:45 pm to 3:00 pm
"What's YA Literature—and What's Not?" discusses genre traits of YA literature by sharing innovative texts that have stretched the boundaries of the field. "Writing the YA Novel" explores the differences between middle grade and YA novels, how to craft an authentic voice, and writing exercises and assignments. "YA Graphic Novels" discusses essentials of writing graphic novels, their potential as champions of diverse voices, and how to engage student writers in a comic-based curriculum.
Participants
Spencer Hyde is the author of the novel Waiting for Fitz; his short fiction has recently appeared in Glimmer Train, Image, and Meridian. He is an assistant professor of creative writing at Brigham Young University.
Chris Crowe is the author of twelve books, including fiction and nonfiction for young adults. Two of his best-known books are Mississippi Trial, 1955 and Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case. He has taught university courses in YA literature and creative writing since 1989.
Ann Dee Ellis has been teaching college creative writing courses since 2004. She has published several middle grade and young adult novels, including her newest The War with Grandma. Her upcoming MG novel will be published in 2025.
Sharlene Swan is a student at Brigham Young University, pursuing a BFA in illustration and a minor in creative writing. Her studies explore how art, writing, and music can combine to create more engaging stories. Her comic, American Cryptid Road Trip, will be available to read online in late 2024.
