Festival
Past
YA Midwest 2026
- Sat, Jul 25
- 8 AM – 4:30 PM
- Metea Valley High School, Aurora
- 0 stages · 0 sessions
- Admission details on event page
Presented by Anderson's Bookshop - Naperville
YAM Returns to Naperville in 2026! Are you ready to celebrate all things YA? YA Midwest is a book festival for YA readers of all ages. Anyone under the age of 12 is required to be accompanied by an adult Coming at you from the Chicago suburbs, readers, authors, publishers, educators and influencers are invited to join us for a full day of authors, panels, and books, books, books! This Year's Keynote Speaker Will Be: TBA (Your registration includes a copy of their newest book) Featured Authors: Katie Abdou, Yasmin Angoe, Peter Bognanni, Kristy Boyce, Becca Coffindaffer, Alex Crespo, Megan Davidhizar, F.A. Davidson, Ryan Douglass, Lindsey Duga, Sarah Beth Durst, Donna Ghorbanpoor, Markelle Grabo, Byron Graves, Marc J Gregson, Spencer Hall, M.J. Hastings, Cassandra James, Brianna Jett, Keala Kendall, Kody Keplinger, Michelle Kulwicki, Ama Ofosua Lieb, Emily Lloyd-Jones, I.V. Marie, Don Martin, Shelby Nicole, Margaret Owen, Jamie Pacton, René Peña-Govea, Barbara Perez Marquez, Kelly Quindlen, Billy Ray, Sara Shepard, Megan Shepherd, Jen St. Jude, Rebecca Stafford, Meera Subramanian, June CL Tan, D.L. Taylor, Ari Tison, Angela Velez Featured Audiobook Narrators: Narrator Lineup TBA Order your YAM shirt today! Tickets are only $25 and include: Admission to the opening celebration and keynote speech A copy of the Keynoter's new book Attendance at four breakout sessions featuring timely topics discussed by panels of your favorite YA authors Lots of time to shop at the onsite bookstore Signing session with all attending authors Lunch available onsite YAM Day-Of Schedule: 8am: Open Doors 9-10am: Opening Keynote Speech 10-10:15am: Break 10:15-11am Breakout Session 1 11-11:15am Break 11:15-12pm: Breakout Session 2 12-1pm: LUNCH BREAK! 1-1:45pm Breakout Session 3 1:45-2pm: Break 2-2:45Breakout Session 4 2:45-3pm: Break 3-4:30pm Signing Session w/ All Authors 4:30pm: Doors close! See you all next year! More About Breakout Sessions: We are busy putting our yams together to come up with new and original panels, some built on YOUR feedback!
Festival schedule
More at Anderson's Bookshop - Naperville
Lynn D. Jung - Mothsblood
Join Anderson’s Bookshop for an author event with Lynn D. Jung, to celebrate the release of Mothsblood (Deluxe Limited Edition), on Saturday, October 24th at 4:00 pm in our Naperville store. Jung will be in conversation with author Olesya Salnikova Gilmore. Event Format We will begin checking you in approximately 30 minutes before the start time. After a presentation and Q&A with the author, the line will form in numbered order with the following guidelines: Posed photo with your camera taken by our staff There is a limit of 2 books from home to be signed (unless otherwise stated) There is a limit of 1 personalization (unless otherwise stated) All events have open seating. The “Order Line Number” on your pdf ticket is your reserved place in the signing line. You will line up to meet the author based on that number. If you cannot attend, you must pick up your book (if included with ticket) at the hosting store within 30 days of the event. We can ship that book to you for an additional charge of $9.99; please call the store to arrange that. Pre-registration is required for this event because space is limited.
Struan Murray - Dragonborn
Join Anderson’s Bookshop for an author event with Struan Murray, to celebrate the release of Dragonborn: The Twilight Child, on Sunday, October 25th at 2:00 pm in our Naperville store. Event Format We will begin checking you in approximately 30 minutes before the start time. After a presentation and Q&A with the author, the line will form in numbered order with the following guidelines: Posed photo with your camera taken by our staff There is a limit of 2 books from home to be signed (unless otherwise stated) There is a limit of 1 personalization (unless otherwise stated) All events have open seating. The “Order Line Number” on your pdf ticket is your reserved place in the signing line. You will line up to meet the author based on that number. If you cannot attend, you must pick up your book (if included with ticket) at the hosting store within 30 days of the event. We can ship that book to you for an additional charge of $9.99; please call the store to arrange that. Pre-registration is required for this event because space is limited.
Midnight Release Party ACOTAR 6
Join Anderson’s Bookshop for a midnight release party to celebrate the release of A Court of Splintered Harmony, the long awaited sixth installment of Sarah J. Maas’s ACOTAR series on Monday, October 26th at 9:00pm in our Naperville store. Please note that the author will not be present at this event. Event Format Check-in for the event will begin at 9pm, with activities beginning immediately upon arrival. Event will include: Team trivia, to begin at 10pm – test your knowledge of all things ACOTAR as you prepare to return to Prythian. Come with your team or make friends at the event! The winning team will receive exclusive A Court of Splintered Harmony prizes. Discuss and Debate all your SJM universe predictions with fellow attendees, and add your favorites to our prediction wall. Prythian themed arts and crafts, including book and mask bedazzling (You may bring a book of your choice from home or purchase one in-store to bedazzle.) Photo Wall with SJM universe cut-outs Autumnal-themed snacks and mocktails Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to arrive in costume. Everyone will get to vote for their favorite costume of the night, and the top winners will receive a prize! Please note: Attendees will receive their copy of A Court of Splintered Harmony at 11:00pm CST (midnight EST). If you cannot attend, you must pick up your book (if included with ticket) at the hosting store within 30 days of the event. We can ship that book to you for an additional charge of $9.99; please call the store to arrange that. Pre-registration is required for this event because space is limited.