En este taller de escritura, las autoras comparten un evento que las propulsó a escribir sus propias historias. Ellas demostrarán el proceso de crear ficción para comprender o sanar. Guiarán a los estudiantes en el inicio de un cuento corto. Se les propone a los estudiantes de contemplar una ocasión en que ellos mismos o seres queridos se encontraron en una situación injusta que les era difícil entender. Los alumnos usarán el recuerdo, lo conocido y lo imaginado. Un taller para alentar a escritores de todas habilidades. Con Lulu Dealcre (US, IN PROGRESS) y Guadalupe García McCall. Este evento es en español.

In this craft workshop, authors share an event that prompted them to write their own stories. They show students the process of creating fiction to understand or heal, while guiding students to begin their own story. Students are asked to contemplate a time when they found themselves or a loved one in an unfair situation and struggled to make sense of it. Students will use the remembered, the known, and the imagined. This is a workshop to empower writers of all abilities. With Lulu Delacre (US, IN PROGRESS) and Guadalupe Garcia McCall (ECHOES OF GRACE). This is a Spanish-speaking panel.

A craft workshop for grades 4-8th with Meg Medina, moderated by Crystal Maldonado

In this interactive craft workshop, award-winning, best-selling author Meg Medina helps young writers to craft powerful, life-affirming narratives using their own life experience. Please come ready to write, take risks and develop your craft! This session is moderated by Las Musas author Crystal Maldonado.

Meg Medina is an award-winning and New York Times best-selling author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels. She is the recipient of the John Newberry Medal, Pura Bepré Author award and Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year. Her latest book, Merci Suárez Can’t Dance is a Kirkus Reviews Most Anticipated Book of 2021.

Crystal Maldonado is the young adult author of Fat Chance Charlie Vega. Her work has been published in the Hartford Courant, Buzzfeed, and Latina Magazine.

Latinx authors are using their voice and their prose to fight for social justice, human rights and equity for women, LBGTQIA+ and marginalized people. This panel of fierce Latinx authors explores themes of social justice and community engagement. With Daniel Aleman (INDIVISIBLE), Julio Anta (HOME), Marcia Mickelson (WHERE I BELONG), Maika Moulite (ONE OF THE GOOD ONES) and Mayra Cuevas (DOES MY BODY OFFEND YOU?). Moderated by Laekan Zea Kemp (HEARTBREAK SYMPHONY).

Three acclaimed graphic novel illustrators try their hand at comic strips in this live draw off. Viewers get to submit prompts and vote for their favorites. With Fanny Rodriguez (FANTASTIC TALES OF NOTHING), Ryan Estrada (STUDENT AMBASSADOR) and Yehudi Mercado (CHUNKY). Moderated by Kim Baker (PICKLE).

Picture books evoke happiness, fun journeys, humor, and lightheartedness but they can also express the importance of who we are, shed light on important issues, and convey powerful emotions. With Jackie Azúa Kramer (I WISH YOU KNEW), Hilda E. Burgos (THE COT IN THE LIVING ROOM), Marta Magellan (FLYING JEWELS) and Aida Salazar (JOVITA WORE PANTS). Moderated by Angela Dominguez (I LOVE YOU, BABY BURRITO).

The home and family can be an especially moving theme in picture books. We carry with us for the rest of our lives the lessons we learn as children from parents, abuelos, and other family members. With Michael Genhart (MAY YOUR LIFE BE DELICIOSA), Alexandra Katona (DINNER ON DOMINGOS), Joana Pastro (BISA'S CARNAVAL) and Ana Siqueira (BELLA'S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS). Moderated by Monica Mancillas (MARIANA IN MEXICO).

Join critically acclaimed authors, Torrey Maldonado and Las Musas author Rebecca Balcárcel in an important discussion of allyship, compassion and possibility.

Maldonado’s most recent title, What Lane?, won multiple starred reviews. Oprah magazine, the New York Times, and more have listed it as an essential anti-racist book. Maldonado has been voted a "Top 10 Latino Author" and best Black middle grade and young adult novelist.

Rebecca Balcárcel’s novel, The Other Half of Happy is a Pura Belpré Honor Book and ALSC Notable Book that was named one of the Top Ten First Novels of 2019 by the American Library Association.

Three Latinx kidlit authors take you inside their publishing journeys to reveal how they went from an idea to seeing their books on the shelf. This session is 90 minutes in duration, divided in 20 minute intervals.

Award-winning picture book author Anika Aldamuy Denise talks with her literary agent Emily van Beek of Folio Jr. agency.  NY Times bestselling Middle Grade author, J.C. Cervantes talks with her literary agent, Holly Root of Root Literary. And award-wining YA author, Jennifer de León speaks with her editor, Caitlyn Dlouhy of Simon and Schuster.  Moderated by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris.

We will reserve 25 minutes at the end to answer audience questions. This event is brought to you by The Author's Guild.

Coming-of-age stories explore those first moments when we realize I’m not a kid anymore. Big, life-changing, never-going-back moments collide with tears and loss but also hugs and new things. It is a time for big emotions, pain, joy and truth. With Aya de Leon (UNDERCOVER LATINA), Jennifer Mathieu (BAD GIRLS NEVER SAY DIE), Nikki Barthelmess (EVERYTHING WITHIN AND IN BETWEEN), Michelle Ruiz Keil (SUMMER IN THE CITY OF ROSES) and Laura Taylor Namey (WHEN WE WERE THEM). Moderated by Angela Velez (LULU & MILAGRO'S SEARCH FOR CLARITY).

From idea and concept to illustrations and words, creating a picture book utilizes many talents and skills in order to bring to life stories we carry with us our entire life. In this craft session, bilingual authors Emma Otheguy, Juana Medina, and Rene Colato Lainez  come together to share their wisdom and know-how in creating brilliant, memorable picture books. Students will leave with an understanding of the writing and illustrating process as it pertains to picture books and a vision of how to create their own stories.