The Texas Teen Book Festival announced that 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 eleventh anniversary for the Texas Teen Book Festival, which will take place on Saturday, October 12th at Southwestern University in Georgetown 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 eleven years and meeting new readers in Georgetown.”
Throughout the one-day festival, 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; along with Gabby Rivera, LGBTQ Latinx author of Marvel’s upcoming first Latina lesbian character; and America Chavez, who will present Juliet Takes a Breath, in which a queer Puerto Rican girl faces challenges growing up in the Bronx.
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’s 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.
TTBF authors will join previously announced keynote speakers Erika L. Sánchez, a bestselling and award-winning author who will present I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, and YouTube sensation and author Akilah Hughes who will present her memoir, Obviously: Stories from My Timeline.
The full lineup of authors and their featured books for the 2019 Texas Teen Book Festival is:
- Abdi Nazemian – Like a Love Story
- Akilah Hughes – Obviously: Stories from My Timeline
- Akwaeke Emezi – Pet
- Alex Temblador – Secrets of the Casa Rosada
- Alex Villasante – The Grief Keeper
- Amy Rose Capetta – The Lost Coast
- Arvin Ahmadi – Girl Gone Viral
- Bill Konigsburg – The Music of What Happens
- Brandy Colbert – The Revolution of Birdie Randolph
- Brittney Morris – Slay
- Christopher Myers – Make Me a World imprint
- David Yoon – Frankly in Love
- e. E. Charlton-Trujillo – Fat Angie: Rebel Girl Revolution
- Erika Sánchez – I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
- Gabby Rivera – Juliet Takes a Breath
- Gretchen McNeil – #murderfunding
- Jennifer Donaldson – I Know You Remember
- Jennifer Donnelly – Stepsister
- Joelle Charbonneau – Verify
- Kat Cho – Wicked Fox
- Kate Williams – The Babysitters Coven
- Katharyn Blair – The Beckoning Shadow
- Katy Rose Pool – There Will Come a Darkness
- Kristina Pérez – Wild Savage Stars
- Lamar Giles – Spin
- Lauren Shippen – The Infinite Noise
- Margaret Owen – The Merciful Crow
- Mary H.K. Choi – Permanent Record
- Misa Sugiura – This Time Will Be Different
- Nandini Bajpai – A Match Made in Mehendi
- Renée Ahdieh – The Beautiful
- Rory Powers – Wilder Girls
- Sandhya Menon – There’s Something About Sweetie
- Thanhha Lai – Butterfly Yellow
- Tricia Levenseller – Warrior of the Wild
The one-day TTBF will take place on Saturday, October 12th from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Southwestern University in Georgetown. TTBF remains free and open to the public thanks to generous donors, sponsors, and dozens of committed volunteers. For more information, please visit www.texasteenbookfestival.org and keep up with announcements at Facebook.com/TexasTeenBookFestival and on Twitter and Instagram @TXTeenBookFest.
