Authors gathered in Santa Monica, Calif., on April 28 and 29 to celebrate literature for young readers at the ninth Yallwest. The event, founded by and run by authors Melissa de la Cruz and Margaret Stohl, welcomed more than 20,000 guests for a weekend filled with panels from authors, book signings, special photo opportunities, and more. We’ve rounded up highlights from the event.
Debut authors (clockwise, from top l.) Ari Tison, Brittany N. Williams, Krystal Marquis, Ivelisse Housman, Berna Anat, and Monica Zepeda celebrated a successful panel.
Alaya Dawn Johnson getting ready to sign ARCs of her forthcoming book The Library of Broken Worlds.
Alex Aster (l.) and Brittany N. Williams ahead of their How Do You Take Your Fantasy? With Coffee and a Side of Donuts breakfast, discussing young femmes in fantasy.
(From l.): panelists of the Let’s TACO Bout Books! event Jonny Garza Villa, Kristen Simmons, P. Djèlí Clark, Edward Underhill, Lauren Blackwood, Dana Schwartz, and Casey McQuiston.
Casey McQuiston (l.) and Marie Lu opened the second day of Yallwest with a keynote.
Ari Tison signing copies of her debut novel Saints of the Household.
Attendees copied Heartstopper couple Nick and Charlie at the Heartstopper photo wall.
(From l.): Yallwest co-founder Melissa de la Cruz, Wendy Heard, Dana Schwartz, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Nick Brooks, and Sarah Beth Durst discussed all things mystery and thriller at the Plotting Murder…That’s Twisted panel.
Inkyard Press staff (from l.): Brittany Mitchell and Ciara Loader and volunteers Kimberly Brindle and Ashlyn Borstel following the Get Inked! event.
(From l.): Jarrod Shusterman, Brittany N. Williams, Daniel José Older, Nicola Yoon, David Yoon, Tahereh Mafi, and Ransom Riggs talked about writing romance for the OTP panel.
Panelists Marti Dumas (l.) and Eoin Colfer after the Middle Grade Story Ball panel.
Nick Brooks at a book signing.
Author Jen Ferguson in front of the HarperCollins Epic Reads backdrop.
Ryan La Sala (crouching) and Dhonielle Clayton hosted Smackdown, a multi-author event.
Rebekah Weatherspoon (l.) and Sarah Kuhn at the Penguin Teen backdrop.
(From l.): authors Monica Zepeda, Berna Anat, and Ivelisse Housman onstage for a panel.
(From l.): Yallwest co-founder Margaret Stohl and keynote speakers Marie Lu, Casey McQuiston, and fellow Yallwest co-founder Melissa de la Cruz.
