Fans of YA literature flocked to Charleston, S.C., for a weekend of bookish fun at YALLFEST, held November 11­–­12. The 11th annual YallFest was filled with engaging panels featuring more than 70 authors, book signings, photo booths, giveaways, and more. We’ve gathered highlights from the events.


The American Theater got ready to welcome guests to the 11th annual YALLFest.


Authors Soman Chainani (l.) and Angeline Boulley opened the festival with a keynote conversation.


Author Ananya Devarajan (c.) and Inkyard staff members prepared for a day of events.


HarperCollins digital director Sam Fox (l.) and author Ashley Woodfolk posed in the Whiteout snow globe–inspired photo booth.


Cassandra Clare greeted readers at her book signing.


(From l.): panelists for the Puzzles, Riddles, and Competitions: Plotting Intricacy discussion Ryan North, Neal Shusterman, Stuart Gibbs, Casey McQuiston, Alex Aster, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes, at the Charleston Music Hall.


David and Nicola Yoon celebrated the launch of their BIPOC romance imprint Joy Revolution and talked about upcoming releases.


Sarah Mlynowski with a copy of her latest book, Best Wishes.


(From l.): YALLFest board and festival chair Margaret Stohl, director Jonathan Sanchez, and board and festival chair Melissa de la Cruz.


Melissa Albert (l.) and Flatiron editor Sarah Barley (r.) at the Fierce Reads booth.


HarperCollins brought a “Treat Your Shelves” book truck, offering plenty of giveaways for attendees.


Author Brittany N. Williams (l.) chatted with a cosplaying reader during a meet-and-greet for her new book, That Self-Same Metal.


Author Adalyn Grace (l.) signed copies of her book Belladona for an attendee.


(From l.): moderator Samira Ahmed and fellow authors Laura Gao, Victoria Aveyard, Shannon Hale, and Ashley Woodfolk discussed emotional writing on the “Allowing for Anger” panel.


YALLFest attendees got a special early look at the covers for Chloe Gong’s upcoming books at a secret speakeasy party event at the American Auditorium.


Scholastic staff posed with characters from the Heartstopper photo wall.


Sourcebooks author Rachel Griffin signed a copy of her novel The Nature of Witches.


Nic Stone gave readers a sneak peek of her upcoming novel Chaos Theory, and signed ARCs for readers.


Author Kelly Andrew with ARCs of her book The Whispering Dark.


(From l.): moderator Rose Brock held a conversation with authors Margaret Stohl, Angie Thomas, Adam Silvera, David Levithan, and Nic Stone on the changing landscape of censorship and book bans.


Lio Min holding a copy of their debut novel, Beating Heart Baby.


(From l.): authors Jason June, Matthew Dawkins, Nick Brooks, Jarrod Shusterman, Sofía Lapuente, and Maya Prasad shared their experiences as first-time authors at the “Debuts: How to Navigate Your First Book?” panel.


Simon & Schuster staffers were excited to talk books at their table, which showcased their Riveted website for YA fiction.


Closing out a weekend filled with YA-centric events, authors Dhonielle Clayton (l.) held a conversation with Cassandra Clare in the ending keynote.


(From l.): Authors Jas Hammonds, Julian Randall, Sasha Peyton Smith onstage at the YA Smackdown, which closed the festival.