Meet authors, discover new books, and learn what it takes to become a writer
CORPUS CHRISTI—The purpose of this 5th annual Teen Bookfest by the Bay (TBB) is to engage teenagers, help them expand their imaginations, and improve reading skills. The festival takes place February 16, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi. The event is free and open to the public.
“Learn about worlds you’re missing out on by jumping into a good book,” TBB coordinator Debbie VanZandt told KIII TV. “Authors will be in house to sign books. You can also learn how to illustrate and write stories from start to finish.”
Among the thirty-three authors attending TBB are Kristy Acevedo, Miracle Austin, Jason Bond, Diana Lopez, Mari Mancusi, Kathryn Ormsbee, Shaila Patel, Manuel Ruiz, Liara Tamani, and Cody Wagner, and illustrator Carolyn Flores.
Attractions this year include author panels, book signings, writer and illustrator workshops, food concessions, and Manga Mania.
The Del Mar College English Department will host a creative writing workshop. This session provides aspiring writers with a chance to learn some new tricks, practice their skills, and get feedback from peers and professionals.
Juan Manuel Perez and Alan Berecka, the first two Poets Laureate of Corpus Christi, will offer poetry workshops. Perez will present a workshop on the Hybrid English Haiku form. Participants will learn how to apply the form to urban legends. Berecka will present the idea of word pallets which is a concept young poets can use when they revise their work.
Author/illustrator Carolyn Dee Flores will conduct an illustrator’s workshop. Flores is an accomplished writer and illustrator of several published children’s books.
Manga Mania offers three panels: General Manga and Anime Nerd Culture, My Hero Academia, and RWBY. Cosplay is encouraged. Each panel will include a mini cosplay and trivia contest for prizes.
TBB is a non-profit organization formed in 2015 by a group of Corpus Christi Bay-area school and public librarians for the express purpose of planning and providing an annual book festival for area teens. Librarians from school and public libraries in Corpus Christi, Orange Grove, Bishop, Aransas Pass, Gregory-Portland, Rockport, Robstown, and other local areas take part. Membership currently consists of librarians and educators but is open to anyone who values life-long learning and creativity in writing.
For more information, visit Teen Bookfest by the Bay’s website.