A major event in the YA book community was due to happen this upcoming weekend: YallWest, the west coast sister of YallFest, celebrating beloved authors, readers, and stories with hilarious panels, author signings, and cool giveaways.
Unfortunately, the event was canceled due to COVID-19. It was a smart move and eventually, the YallWest organizers announced a weekend long online event to keep spreading the love in its place. But it turns out there was too much book joy to fit it all in one weekend as publishers began to announce their own individual online festivals on top of that, some of which will run all week!
Here’s the scoop on how you can still see you favorite authors, play some really fun games, and enter ALL the giveaways this week.
YALLStayHome
April 24 – 25
We’d be remiss to start anywhere other than the festival that started it all! YALLStayHome is the new YallWest and it will feature several panels, including the ever-popular keynotes, Smackdown, and Juvenilia events. There are ARC or sampler giveaways with almost every panel, plus a slew of fun special events happening via Instagram Live throughout the weekend. You’ll need to register for panels ahead of time (quite a few of which have already filled up,) so check out the full schedule here and pick your faves!
WB Reader Fest
April 20 – 25
Wednesday Books, an imprint of MacMillan, is hosting a reader fest that includes a series of author check-ins throughout each day on Twitter and Instagram, during which they’ll share their bookshelves and writing spaces. Most afternoons feature games and Q&A with the team and authors, including some giveaway opportunities. In accordance with YallWest’s usual schedule, Saturday is stacked with author panels and giveaways! Check out the schedule!
NOVL CouchFest
April 20 – 25
NOVL is celebrating this week with daily virtual scavenger hunts and password releases for ARCs on their site, plus author guest posts and takeovers/AMA sessions via Instagram Live. Plus, you can enter to win a surprise NOVLbox featuring books and swag every day. On top of YA, they also have a separate schedule featuring Middle Grade offerings. Check them out here!
Penguin VirtualCon
April 24
Penguin Random House’s VirtualCon definitely seems like it’s still working out some details at this time and it’s not strictly YA, but it features plenty of authors we love! This virtual event employs Twitter, the Unbound Worlds Facebook group, and subreddits for innovative games and author readings/Q&A sessions. Check out the schedule here and the various sweepstakes here!
Enjoy all the bookish events this week! We’re hoping we’ll see some similar events in late May, around the time BookCon was meant to be held. We’ll be sure to keep you updated if they do!
