Welcome to the 2026 YA Summit

2/10/2026

Welcome to the current summit!

It is just around the corner: Feb. 26 and 27, 2026

All of the work beind the scenes.

Putting on a Summit involes quite a bit more work than just selecting a date and sending out a few emails. Of course, you have to find a date that doesn't have too many conflicts, You need to find a University that will host the event whether it is an online or face to face event. There needs to be a group of people who decide on a theme, write the call for proposals, advertise the event, recieve the proposals, and evaluate the proposals. After that the program needs to be built and presenters notified, advertising need to continue and then the entire group has to hope and pray that people decide to attend the event.

Each one of these steps is quite a bit of work, nevertheless most of the people that get involved in these projects find them rewarding when they finally begin. In my own experience, I have always found the events to be stimulating and rejuvenating. I always left the event ready to finish a lagging project or excited to start a new one. The inspiration does come from the authors who presented at the summit, but more often the inspiration comes from those scholars, teachers, librarians, and graduate students who are sharing their projects. It is comforting to find out who is do what and for what reasons.

I know for a fact that many projects resulting in articles, books, and presentations began as a conversation at one of the various summits that have been held since that first summit in 2014 at Louisiana State University. Maybe your next collaborative project will begin after listening to a presentation or having conversation with someone at the 2026 YA Summit.

You can find out more about the summit at this link.

You can also find out about the breakout sessions as well as more information about those people behind the scenes.

In the meantime check some of the things the people on the committee are anticipating as they await the summit..

Before you go to far, registar for the summit at this link.

Meet those behind the Summit.

Michelle Falter

I am looking forward to the YAL Summit because I am at a small institution in which I am the only person who is interested in teaching and learning about young adult literature. I am craving conversation about YA literature with other teachers and scholars! In a time when young adult literature is so contested in our contemporary political climate, I cannot think of something more important than talking about the value of books and the diverse stories and identities highlighted within them for adolescents with my peers!

Amy Piotrowski

The YA Summit is a great opportunity to hear from authors and learn about what exciting work is being done in the teaching and research of YA literature. This event brings together people from different backgrounds and from different geographic locations to learn with each other. The discussions at the Summit with reinvigorate your teaching, connect researchers, and provide community around books that we and our students can enjoy.

Brady Nash

I'm excited to join the 2026 Young Adult Literature Summit because it gives me the chance to connect with YA scholars, teachers, and authors all in one day. Without having to travel or spend a whole lot of money, I get to learn new teaching strategies, discover new books to add to my list, and even meet authors whose work I love. It's an easy and fun way to continue learning and exploring in the field of YA scholarship and teaching.

Gretchen Rumohr

I'm looking forward to reconnecting with some of my favorite colleagues, meeting new YA friends, and celebrating all things YA with some stellar authors!

Leilya Pitre

I am looking forward to the 2026 Young Adult Literature Summit because it offers a unique opportunity to learn from authors, teachers, and fellow YA scholars about the latest research in the field, to engage in exploring new YA titles, and to share practical, adaptable strategies for including YAL into the secondary and college classrooms.

Jinan El Sabbagh

I always look forward to the YAL Summit because it is a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn, and joyfully experience YA Lit. Its virtual setting allows my students and me to access the latest in teaching, researching, and discussing YAL lit. We meet and hear from so many amazing folks who we would not have otherwise. From authors, middle and high school students, scholars, educators, and librarians, so many new and well-known voices, all speak to the power of words and stories. I always leave energized, with quite a few more book recommendations to add to my list!

Jessica Wiley

I am looking forward to the community and connection from all participants. I enjoy this space where we can be engaged, vulnerable, and present without judgment. I am always looking for new ideas, creativity, and the joy of YA Lit!

Melanie Hundley

I am looking forward to the upcoming YAL Summit because it is a conference that celebrates all things young adult literature. I enjoy how it the Summit brings together scholars, teachers, and authors to learn from each other; it is such a vibrant community centered on books and stories and the people who love them!

Sidra Zaheer

I’m really looking forward to the YAL Summit because it brings together the people who care deeply about young adult literature; teachers, scholars, authors, and readers, in one shared space. YAL matters because it helps young people make sense of identity, belonging, and the world around them, and this Summit takes that work seriously. I’m especially excited about the conversations that push us to think more critically, compassionately, and creatively about the texts we teach. It’s an honor to be part of a committee committed to thoughtful dialogue, diverse voices, and meaningful engagement.

Here is the link to the Summit and Registration

Keynote Author E. Lockhart

E. Lockhart has been one of the most succesful and influencial Young Adult authors over the last couple of decades. She has been publishing YA fiction since 2005. Her first book was the first in the Ruby Oliver series, The Boy Friend List.

In 2008 her novel, The Dispeputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks was on the short list for the National Book Award for Young People Literature.

In 2014 she made a big impact with the publication of We Were Liars. The hard cover book was on the New York Times seller list for over 40 weeks and the paper back version stayed on the bestseller list for over three years.

This novel was followed by two more novels, Family of Liars and We Fell Apart forming a trio of books within the Sinclair universe and leading into a Prime televsion series.

The quality of these books is sufficient to establish Lockhart as a commanding force in the YA world. However she has a variety of standalone novels and several novels written with co-authors that all deserve attention.

As if that isn't enough to keep her busy she has a host of children's book written under her real name, Emily Jenkins.

Here is the link to the Summit and Registration

Other Attending Authors throughout the Program

Photos are linked to the authors website or a website about the author where you can find out more about there work.

I don't believe we have ever had such a wide range of authors attending and presenting.