Ahead of the Young Adult Literature Convention next month at London’s Olympia, Book Trust and Showmasters Events have unveiled the full schedule for the weekend.
Events kick off on Friday with a Horror writing panel, featuring the likes of Darren Shan and Matt Whyman, and a Creative Writing workshop with Lucy Inglis. Friday night will see hosts Book Trust team up with website MuggleNet to host a huge Harry Potter themed party.
Saturday sees a Shadowhunters panel with Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees-Brennan, In Conversation Q&A sessions with Charlie Higson & Arabella Weir as well as Judy Blume & Patrick Ness before rounding things off with a Hunger Games event. Workshops will cover everything from short story writing, self editing and even using tarot cards to help with writing.
Sunday will see the panels focus on LGBT and Mental Health issues in YA books as well as a tribute to the late Sir Terry Pratchett., while workshops will cover starting and developing book blogs, working with editors and writing for television.
During the course of the weekend, budding writers will be able to have their work critiqued in the Agents Arena, which will host one on one sessions, talks and workshops with authors and agents from the Bent Agency and LBA Books.
YALC will be held from July 17-19 alongside London Film and Comic Con at Olympia London. For more information and tickets visit the site.
Words by Megan Roxburgh