March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Literary Love: Thousands of Young Adult Fiction Fans Converge on Santa Monica High

By Sam Skopp

 

Santa Monica High School came to life Saturday April 29, with thousands of avid readers and literary fans attending the 3rd annual Yallwest. Showcasing everything hip and happening in the world of Young Adult fiction; including publishers, authors, comic and videogame creators, the day centered on words and everything to do with them.

The event kicked off with a preview at the Santa Monica Public Library the evening before, including author signings, giveaways, and a “life-size video game.” The main event began the next morning, featuring over 100 authors and content creators signing and discussing their works. The day’s events included publishers’ and teen-oriented businesses, with booths set up throughout the school grounds.

The Bookish Box, which is a Young Adult fiction-oriented subscription box service, was raffling off its boxes, selling t-shirts they designed for the festival, and giving out tote bags throughout the day. A line already began forming in advance of their tote bag giveaway, as was the trend with most of the day’s signings and giveaways. Bookish Box’s 40-or-so person long line was one of the shorter lines on campus that afternoon, with signings, panels and book giveaways attracting even more people.

“We really like it,” said Justine Brook with The Bookish Box, about the festival’s high attendance and large amount of foot traffic they were getting.

Another of the festival’s contributors was Riveted, the Young Adult website created by Simon & Schuster. Janine Perez, who was there with Riveted, explained that a big draw at their booth was ARCs, which stands for Advanced Reader Copies. These were books given to festival attendees in advance of their release dates.

“It’s great to be able to get these books into the hands of people who really want them,” said Perez.

For more information about this yearly event and a full list of event participants and panels, visit yallwest.com.

front coverbooks1books2

Related Posts

Film Review: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

FILM REVIEWMISSION IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONERated PG-13163 MinutesReleased July 11th The story in this “Mission: Impossible” chapter, “Dead...

Film Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023

FILM REVIEWINDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINYRated PG-13154 MinutesReleased June 30th The director of Indiana Jones and the Dial...

Film Review: Past Lives

June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

FILM REVIEWPAST LIVESRated PG-13105 MinutesLimited Releases June 2nd and June 9th, Full Release June 23rd The Korean concept of “In...

Film Review: Sanctuary

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

FILM REVIEWSANCTUARYRated R96 MinutesReleased May 19th In my humble estimation, this is one of the best movies of the year....

Film Review: The Little Mermaid

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

FILM REVIEWTHE LITTLE MERMAIDRated PG135 MinutesReleased May 26th With today’s technological developments, a live-action The Little Mermaid is not only...

A Riveting Revival of the Pulitzer Prize-Winning “A Soldier’s Play” Now Playing At The Ahmanson Theatre

May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

On Stage With… Murder mysteries, whether cinematic or theatrical, are one of the most popular subjects. The list is quite...

Film Review: Chevalier

May 12, 2023

May 12, 2023

By Kathryn Boole  RATED PG-13107 MinutesReleased April 21, 2023 Chevalier is based on the true story of a historical figure...

Ballet at the Broad Stage Memorial Weekend – Meet the Talent!

May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica returns to the Broad Stage with special guest artists kicking off Friday May 26th with...

Elizabeth McGovern Lights Up The Stage in “Ava – The Secret Conversations”

April 26, 2023

April 26, 2023

Play About Legendary Screen Star Runs Until May 14 At The Geffen Playhouse By Beverly Cohn Ava Gardner, born Ava...

Unconventional Art Festival “The Other Art Fair” Returns to Santa Monica This Weekend

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

140 independent artists, immersive installations, performances, DJs, and a fully stocked bar await visitors at Barker Hangar The Other Art...

Samohi Theatre’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” Takes the Stage in Santa Monica

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

Shows will take place at Barnum Hall on March 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and March 5 at 3...

Film Review: “Marlow”

February 23, 2023

February 23, 2023

FILM REVIEW“MARLOWE”Rated R109 MinutesReleased February 15th “Marlowe” is a beautifully shot period piece that takes place in the late 1930’s....

Film Review: All Quite on the Western Front

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

I have never been a soldier at war, although I have close friends and relatives who have been. Universally they...

SMC Emeritus Concert Band to Hold Free Concert This Weekend at the Broad Stage

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

Concert February 26 will feature musical selections with an outdoor theme Santa Monica College’s Emeritus Concert Band, under the baton...