YALLFest Schedule
NOVEMBER 14-15, 2025
YALLFest 2025 is Presented by
Headliner Events
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
YALLFest is Presented by Mayhem Books
With Tiffany D. Jackson, Marissa Meyer, and Rebecca Ross
Sponsored by Fierce Reads
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
YALLFest is Presented by Mayhem Books
With Alex Aster, Rachel Griffin, and Shannon J. Spann
Sponsored by Sourcebooks Fire
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
YALLFest is Presented by Mayhem Books
Hosted by Soman Chainani
Sponsored by Underlined
The two Keynotes and the Smackdown are the only YALLFest events that require a paid ticket. Tickets are available now!
YALLFest Panels
Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St.
With Soman Chainani, Gayle Forman, Stuart Gibbs, Victor Piñeiro, Alyson Gerber, and Christina Diaz Gonzalez
ROMANTASY & ROMANTASCI-FI
Sponsored by Penguin Random House Audio
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
With Jill Tew, A B Poranek, Jamie D'Amato, Isabel Ibañez, Elizabeth Lim, and Dustin Thao
HOW THE MACHINE OF STORYTELLING WORKS
Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St.
With Grady Hendrix, Jesmeen Kaur Deo, Michelle Jabès Corpora, Helena Haywoode Henry, KA Linde, and Renée Ahdieh
THE ART OF THE SERIES
Sponsored by Epic Reads
American Theater - Ballroom, 446 King St.
With Soman Chainani, Ava Reid, Amanda Foody, Adam Silvera, C L Herman, and J. Elle
WHY WE EDIT BOOKS
American Theater - Cinema, 446 King St.
With David Levithan, Brendan Reichs, Victor Piñeiro, Abdi Nazemian, Freddie Kölsch, and Kate Christensen
WORLD BUILDING AND WORD BUILDING, AND WHY BOTH MATTER
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
With Renée Ahdieh, Ngozi Ukazu, Isabel Ibañez, Dustin Thao, Chloe Gong, and Adam Silvera
THE AESTHETICS OF STORYTELLING
Sponsored by Disney Hyperion
American Theater - Ballroom, 446 King St.
With Alexandra Brown Chang, Freddie Kölsch, Hafsah Faizal, Michelle Jabès Corpora, Kate Christensen, & Rachel Griffin
MIDDLE GRADE MONOPOLY
Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St.
With Claribel A. Ortega, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Gordon Korman, Mark Oshiro, Max Brallier
(AND OTHER TEEN PROBLEMS WE WRITE ABOUT)
Sponsored by Sourcebooks Fire
American Theater - Cinema, 446 King St.
With Lakita Wilson, Ebony LaDelle, Hannah V. Sawyerr, Katie Gilbert, Ashlee Latimer, and Axie Oh
THE WRITING PROCESS, BEYOND WORD COUNT
Sponsored by Underlined
Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St.
With Jesmeen Kaur Deo, Diana Rodriguez Wallach, Katie Gilbert, Elise Kova, Alanna Bennett, and KL Walther
American Theater - Cinema, 446 King St.
With David Levithan, Idris Goodwin, Jamie Jo Hoang, Jennifer Iacopelli, and Gordon Korman
WRITING ACROSS AUDIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
With Marie Lu, Melissa de la Cruz, Mia P. Manansala, Margaret Stohl, Alex Aster, and Rebecca Ross
SCIENCE FICTION AND THE FUTURE
Sponsored by Simon Teen
American Theater - Ballroom, 446 King St.
With Ryan North, Chloe Gong, Taylor Simonds, Jill Tew, Scott Reintgen, and Donna Barba Higuera
ROMANCE, LOVE, AND HAPPILY EVER AFTERS
American Theater - Cinema, 446 King St.
With Ashley Woodfolk, Olivia A Cole, KL Walther, Lyla Lee, and Page Powars
MIDDLE GRADE AUTHORS TALK WRITING FOR KIDS
Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St.
With Alyson Gerber, Melissa de la Cruz, Amber McBride, Donna Barba Higuera, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lakita Wilson
WRITING AS BEING A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
With Margaret Stohl, Tracy Deonn, Ryan North, Mark Oshiro, Allison Saft, and Elizabeth Lim
AND OTHER ISSUES WITH MIXING ACADEMICS AND MAGIC
American Theater - Ballroom, 446 King St.
With Ava Reid, J. Elle, Elise Kova, Claribel Ortega, and Scott Reintgen
RETELLINGS AND NEW TAKES ON FAVE TALES
Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St
With Sarah Mlynowski, Danielle Paige, Allison Saft, Trung Le Nguyen, Ashlee Latimer, and A B Poranek
American Theater - Ballroom, 446 King St.
With David Levithan, Lyla Lee, Jamie D’Amato, Mark Oshiro
JOURNEYS TO AUTHORHOOD
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
With Shannon Spann, Taylor Simonds, Marie Lu, Ebony LaDelle, Abdi Nazemian, and Axie Oh
CRAFTING A CAST OF CHARACTERS
American Theater - Cinema, 446 King St.
With Alanna Bennett, Max Brallier, Alexandra Brown Chang, Codie Crowley, Stuart Gibbs, and KA Linde
IF IT WASN’T FOR THIS MEDDLING PANEL
Sponsored by Wednesday Books
American Theater - Ballroom, 446 King St.
With Diana Rodriguez Wallach, Helena Haywoode Henry, Grady Hendrix, Tiffany D Jackson, Joelle Wellington, Mia Manansala
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MAGIC
Sponsored by PiqueBeyond
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
With Victoria Aveyard, Tracy Deonn, C L Herman, Hafsah Faizal, Amanda Foody, & Marissa Meyer
HOW FORMAT CHANGES A STORY, FROM GRAPHIC NOVELS TO VERSE
Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St.
With Olivia A Cole, Ashley Woodfolk, Ngozi Ukazu, Trung Le Nguyen, Hannah V. Sawyerr, and Amber McBride
GROWING AN IDEA INTO A BOOK
American Theater - Ballroom, 446 King St.
With Danielle Paige, Codie Crowley, Gayle Forman, Idris Goodwin, Jamie D'Amato, and Jennifer Iacopelli
INFERENCES, DESCRIPTIONS, AND HOW MUCH TO TELL YOUR READER
Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St.
With Brendan Reichs, Victoria Aveyard, Joelle Wellington, Lyla Lee, Page Powars, and Jamie Jo Hoang
Signings
Some signings will be ticketed in advance. To read through all signing guidelines, click here
All lineup authors have a signing on Saturday. YALLCrawl is our Friday afternoon signing extravaganza! Select authors will have a bonus Friday signing at one of our YALLCRAWL business partners, up and down King Street.
One person may get three books signed by an author per trip through the line, many lines may not allow for multiple trips through the line, so prioritize your favorites! YALLFest staff and authors try to accommodate everyone, but there may be occasional limits enforced based on time and availability. Any lines that allow for posed photos, please remain in front of the table. These general guidelines may be overruled by specific guidelines listed by author.
Mudhouse Coffee, 375 King St.
This signing is ticketed in advance, click event title to learn more
Hotel Richemont, 93 Society St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click on the event title to learn more
Two Cumberland, 455 King St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click on event title to learn more
Lit Alley, 418 King St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click on event title to learn more
The Tiny Tassel, 46 Spring St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click on event title to learn more
Lit Alley, 418 King St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click on event title to learn more
Big Book Tent, 422 King St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click on event title to learn more
Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click on event title to learn more
Lit Alley, 418 King St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click event title to learn more
Lit Alley, 418 King St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click on event title to learn more
Lit Alley, 418 King St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click event title to learn more
Lit Alley, 418 King St.
This signing is ticketed in advance, all tickets have been claimed.
Big Book Tent, 422 King St.
This signing is ticketed in advance click on event title to learn more
Sponsor Events
John L. Dart Library, 1067 King St.
Sponsored by Fierce Reads
Join Fierce Reads for an afternoon of book signings with your favorite authors! Ticketed in advance, tickets became available November 1 at 12pm ET and have all been claimed.
Featuring Marissa Meyer, Hafsah Faizal, Isabel Ibañez, Amber McBride, C L Herman, Amanda Foody, Page Powars, Melissa de la Cruz, Claribel A. Ortega, Marie Lu, and Axie Oh
Main Library, 68 Calhoun Street
Featuring Ashlee Latimer, Diana Rodriguez Wallach, Alexandra Brown Chang, Helena Haywoode Henry, Mia P. Manansala, Trung Le Nguyen, and Jennifer Iacopelli
Click the event title for more info, including the link to free tickets, available starting November 1 at 12pm ET
VIRTUAL EVENT!
Join four early career authors for a virtual YA game night and writing panel! Peyton June, Alex Ritany, H. D. Carver, and Taylor Hobbs will undertake a friendly competition of YA-themed trivia and pictionary (with audience participation!) before offering advice on writing your first novel and getting published. Hosted by Rex Ogle (When We Ride), this entertaining panel will include a prize drawing for one lucky attendee.
Charleston Museum - Event Quad, 360 Meeting St.
Take home a tote bag packed with four fantasy ARCs: The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin, She Knows All the Names by Michelle Jabès Corpora, Burn the Kingdom Down by Addie Thorley, and Flickerstate by F. A. Davidson PLUS a bedazzling kit to make your books shine. Limited to the first 50 fans in line at the Event Quad.
Charleston Museum - Event Quad, 360 Meeting St.
Join debut author and BookToker Sasha E. Sloan to make beautiful romantasy inspired flower crowns and receive advanced copies of her forthcoming book, THE RUINS BENEATH US.
Limited to the first 75 people in line at the Event Quad.
American Theater - Stars Bar, 446 King St.
Swing by Stars Bar to play a game of human bingo to win books, prizes, and more! Limited to the first 75 people in line at the American Theater.
Charleston Museum - Event Quad, 360 Meeting St.
To enter Underlined’s Cirque du Story, one must do three things:
1. Secure a ticket from the Underlined booth: Two ticket drops will occur at 9AM and 11AM on a first come, first serve basis.
2. Arrive promptly: The revelry commences at 12PM in the Event Quad.
3. Be a fantasy book nerd in heart, body, and mind: There will be dazzling games, bewitching ARCs, and electrifying fun at every turn. And if you seek more magic and mischief, follow our ongoing spectacle @getunderlined.
American Theater - Stars Bar, 446 King St.
Join #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer and Penguin Teen to see if you can unlock advance copies of The Escape Game--a twisty, thrilling murder mystery by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss coming in Spring 2026! *This is a ticketed event. Come by the Penguin Teen booth prior to the event to request a ticket. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come first-serve basis while supplies last.
Charleston Museum - Event Quad, 360 Meeting St.
Step into the spooky world of young adult horror, inspired by Freddie Kölsch’s EMPTY HEAVEN. We’re putting the “boo” in “book festival” with horror trivia, a six-word horror story session, and more.
Join if you dare - it’ll be a scream! Super special goodie bags are available for the first 50 attendees. Line will be at the event space, first come first serve.
American Theater - Stars Bar, 446 King St.
Join Saturday Books to make your own "booked up for the weekend" kit and receive exclusive ARCs from upcoming Saturday Books authors! This event will be ticketed (ticket drop at 9AM on Saturday).
American Theater - Cinema, 446 King St.
Join the cast of the band SOUNDTRACK from Jason Reynolds’ new audiobook original for a live excerpt reading and Q&A. Take a glimpse behind-the-scenes of how this special audiobook project was made, and make sure to grab a vinyl edition featuring an excerpt while supplies last. Seating and vinyl are first come, first served.
Charleston Museum - Event Quad, 360 Meeting St.
Join us for crafts, laughs and get to know our incredible upcoming titles. We can’t wait to cause a little Mayhem.
Digital Giveaways
Info Coming Soon!
We've joined forces with Fierce Reads to give away one of the most anticipated reads of 2026! Enter for a chance to win QUEEN OF FACES, a dark academia fantasy novel like no other.
Giveaway runs Monday November 10 at 12pm ET through Thursday 11/13 at 12pm ET
https://sweepwidget.com/c/94704-je9oym6t
US Only, Ages 13+
10 winners will each get 1 of each - The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin, Burn the Kingdom Down by Addie Thorley, The Summer of Second Chances by K. L. Walther, She Knows All the Names by Michelle Jabes Corpora
Giveaway runs Monday November 10 at 12pm ET through Thursday 11/13 at 12pm ET
https://sweepwidget.com/c/94707-fcequsa7
US Only, Ages 13+
Enter for the chance to win the unforgettable YA murder mystery from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer and rising star Tamara Moss.
(FIVE LUCKY WINNERS!)
Five winners will receive a physical ARC of THE ESCAPE GAME. Winners will be selected randomly and will receive their physical ARC six weeks after November 15, 2025!
Giveaway runs Tuesday November 11 at 12pm ET through Friday 11/14 at 12pm ET
https://sweepwidget.com/c/94710-revxo4wq
US Only, ages 13+
Winners will receive 1 copy of Nightbane Collector’s Edition from #1 international bestselling author Alex Aster, 1 PiqueBeyond bookmark, 1 set of Lightlark overlays, 1 set of Grim and Oro pins, and 1 letter from PiqueBeyond.
Giveaway runs Tuesday November 11 at 12pm ET through Friday 11/14 at 12pm ET
US Only, Ages 13+
20 winners will receive a bundle of these four galleys: Maybe Tomorrow I'll Know by Alex Ritany, The Monsters We Made by Peyton June, We Became Wild by H. D. Carver and a bound manuscript of Heartbreak and Other Organ Failures by Taylor Hobbs
Giveaway runs Wednesday November 12 at 12pm ET through Saturday 11/15 at 12pm ET
https://sweepwidget.com/c/94708-93ahqld8
US Only, Ages 13+
We've partnered with Fierce Reads to give away early copies of Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's upcoming mystery about five prodigies, one dead father, and a mansion full of suspects. Enter for a chance to win THE HEIRS!
Giveaway runs Wednesday November 12 at 12pm ET through Saturday 11/15 at 12pm ET
https://sweepwidget.com/c/94706-hkrx5ef4
US Only, Ages 13+
Winners will receive 1 advanced readers copy of Funerals Are for the Living by Sami Ellis, 1 PiqueBeyond bookmark, and 1 letter from PiqueBeyond.
Giveaway runs Thursday November 13 at 12pm ET through Sunday 11/16 at 12pm ET
US Only, Ages 13+