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BTAFest
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Schedule

9:30 - Doors Open
10:15-10:45 - Intro Panel 
11:00-11:45 - Session One 
12:00-12:45 - Session Two
1:00-1:45 - Lunch Break
2:00-2:45 - Session Three
3:00-3:45 - Session Four
4:00-5:00 - Signing

Panels


- - - SESSION ONE - - -
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To Be Continued - Session 1 (11-11:45) - CPL Lecture Hall 
Panelists: Sasha Alsberg, Julie C. Dao, Gabe (Ava Jae), Kiersten White
Moderator: Patrice Caldwell

On varying approaches to writing a series and the challenges that come with them.
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X's, Y's, and Family Ties - Session 1 (11-11:45) - CRLS Library
Panelists: Holly Black, Gloria Chao, S. Jae-Jones, Ashley Woodfolk
Moderator: Katie Cotugno

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On crafting believable and complex sibling relationships, and the ties that bind and break them.

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Fandomonium - Session 1 (11-11:45) - CPL Teen Room
Panelists: Britta Lundin, Lygia Day Peñaflor, Riley Redgate, Nisha Sharma
Moderator: Ashley Hearn

The pros and cons of fandom in writing, reading, and life. See what our authors have to say!
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EmPOWERment - Session 1 (11-11:45) - CPL Community Room
Panelists: Arvin Ahmadi, Erin Cashman, Sara Farizan, Adrienne Kisner
Moderator: India Winslow

Gaining confidence is something many struggle with in their teen years. How does that affect our writing and reading of characters going through the same challenges?

- - - SESSION TWO - - -
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Timey Wimey - Session 2 (12-12:45) - CPL Lecture Hall 
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Panelists: Sara Holland, Tiffany D. Jackson, Claire Legrand, Nova Ren Suma
Moderator: Rebecca Wells
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A discussion on bending the rules of time and using non-linear progression to tell a story.

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Honestly, Though - Session 2 (12-12:45) - CRLS Library
Panelists: Dhonielle Clayton, Adib Khorram, Mark Oshiro, Rachel Lynn Solomon
Moderator: Rachel Strolle

These authors don’t sugar-coat the teen experience, instead portraying their truths with unflinching honesty.
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New Rules - Session 2 (12-12:45) - CPL Teen Room
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Panelists: Heidi Heilig, Makiia Lucier, Mary E. Pearson, Adrienne Young
Moderator: Lyndsay Ely

A discussion on the power struggles between stasis and change in fantasy, and how fantasy can be a commentary on real life.
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Puppet Strings - Session 2 (12-12:45) - CPL Community Room
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Panelists: Erin Bowman, Alexa Donne, Malinda Lo, Kim Savage
Moderator: Greg Katsoulis

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The delicate balancing act of writing lies, half-truths, double-meanings, and implications to manipulate not only the characters, but the readers, too.

- - - SESSION THREE - - -
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Sorry, Not Sorry - Session 3 (2-2:45) - CPL Lecture Hall 
Panelists: Julie C. Dao, Claire Legrand, Lygia Day Peñaflor, Kiersten White
Moderator: Rachel Strolle

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Are these female characters truly "unlikeable," or are they just unapologetically ambitious? And why do we equate the two?
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The Publishing Journey - Session 3 (2-2:45) - CRLS Library
Panelists: Malinda Lo, Mark Oshiro, Mary E. Pearson, Rachel Lynn Solomon
Moderator: Lyndsay Ely

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These debut and veteran authors discuss the ins and outs of their journeys to publication, what they've learned, and what they wish they knew.

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Infinity and Beyond - Session 3 (2-2:45) - CPL Teen Room
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Panelists: Sasha Alsberg, Erin Bowman, Alexa Donne, Gabe (Ava Jae)
Moderator: Robin Brenner

The never-ending universe leaves room for infinite possibilities when it comes to story telling. Come explore all the different tales and the vast subject matter in this space themed panel.
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#NoFilter - Session 3 (2-2:45) - CPL Community Room
Panelists: Sara Farizan, Tiffany D. Jackson, Kim Savage, Ashley Woodfolk
Moderator: Rebecca Wells

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These authors don’t sugar-coat the teen experience, instead portraying their truths with unflinching honesty.

- - - SESSION FOUR - - -
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Talking Touchstones - Session 4 (3-3:45) - CPL Lecture Hall 
Panelists: Holly Black, S. Jae-Jones, Makiia Lucier, Nova Ren Suma
Moderator: Ashley Hearn

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Even the most creative world-building needs to rest on a foundation of familiarity to ease readers into a new world. Sit back and hear how the pros do it!

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All That & Dim Sum - Session 4 (3-3:45) - CRLS Library
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Panelists: Gloria Chao, Dhonielle Clayton, Adib Khorram, Nisha Sharma
Moderator: Patrice Caldwell

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These authors whet our appetites with their mouth-watering imagery of food. Whether it is a deeply significant part of a character's life or used as a literary tool, we are hungry for more!

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Best Kept Secret - Session 4 (3-3:45) - CPL Teen Room
Panelists: Erin Cashman, Heidi Heilig, Sara Holland, Adrienne Young
Moderator: Akshaya Raman

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How to balance suspense and surprise when the reader knows more than the characters, or the characters know more than the reader. What's the perfect moment to reveal a secret?

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Where You Lead - Session 4 (3-3:45) - CPL Community Room
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Panelists: Arvin Ahmadi, Adrienne Kisner, Britta Lundin, Riley Redgate
Moderator: Robin Brenner

Mentorships can have a huge impact on a teen's life, for better or worse.
bostonteenauthorfestival@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
    • The Festival
    • Our Team
    • Policies
    • Non-profit Information
    • Author Testimonials
    • Past Authors
  • 2018 Sponsors
  • Coverage
    • Press
    • Gallery