10AM: KICK OFF THE CON 2026
Auditorium
Start your Teen Lit Con 2026 getting to know our headlining authors: Angeline Boulley, Lance Rubin and Ngozi Ukazu. Hennepin County librarians Peter Wagner and Alex Pollock will host this fun fast-paced discussion.
11AM: BREAKOUT SESSIONS
TEEN LIT CON BOOK FEUD: AUTHORS V TEENS | B243
MN authors Matt Eicheldinger (WHEN THE RAIN CAME), Jay Martel (CODEBREAKER) and Mary E. Roach (SEVEN FOR A SECRET) have picked up the gauntlet to battle Team Teens in this epic trivia feud. Good luck Team Authors, in nine years Team Teen has remained undefeated!
coMIXgraphiCON DRAW OFF | B246
It’s art on the fly for our graphic novelists/illustrators Trung Le Nguyen (ANGELICA AND THE BEAR PRINCE), Jason Walz (THE FLIP SIDE) and Peter Wartman (ASHES OF THE ACADEMY). With no idea what they might be asked to speed draw our artists will attempt the same subject with their own special styles as the clock ticks. Hosted by Two Rivers HS Librarian Jessica Moore.
A History of the Printz Award: Crowning New Classics and Transforming YA Literature | B244
Find out here why it’s worth considering book award winners when looking for something to read. Learn everything about the prestigious Printz with backlist that highlights winners still worth reading by modern teens. Presenter Amanda MacGregor conveys the importance of the award, its evolution and where it has yet to go.
Classics to Graphics: Transforming Classic Novels into Graphic Novels | B250
Author/illustrator Katharine Woodman-Maynard has transformed two classic novels, TUCK EVERLASTING and THE GREAT GATSBY, into graphic novel format. Katharine will share her process and insights into this unique artform that reimagines how a story is told.
TLC Writers Studio: The Alternate Universe – Creating Fictional Worlds | B251
Explore the art of world-building with The Loft teaching artist Alice Paige. Learn how to create vivid and detailed fictional worlds that come to life and jump off the page.
Gen Zine Workshop: How to Get Your Zine Started | B242
Zines are DIY publications that can tell a story, share creativity, and highlight the causes that matter to us. In this workshop artist Z. Akhmetova will share examples of many kinds of zines as well as simple and flexible zine formats that are easy to photocopy and share with friends.
Noon: BREAKOUT SESSIONS
coMIXgraphiCON Book Feud: Authors/Illustrators V Teens |B246
It’s our comic book and graphic novel creators turn to take on Team Teen to win the impossible, the coMIXgraphiCON Book Feud. Our published competitors are Trung Le Nguyen (ANGELICA AND THE BEAR PRINCE), Jason Walz (THE FLIP SIDE) and K. Woodman Maynard (TUCK EVERLASTING, and THE GREAT GATSBY). Hosting will be Jessica Larson, Two Rivers High School media specialist.
Illustrator Peter Wartman: Character Development | B249
Novelists develop characters through tools like dialogue, action, and description. But how does character development happen for an illustrator? Peter Wartman, illustrator of numerous fantasy works such as AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER: ASHES OF THE ACADEMY shares his approach to bringing characters to life.
TLC Writer’s Studio: Writing Horror for Teens | B245
Karlyn Coleman, teaching artist from The Loft Literary Center, will introduce some of the classic building blocks of horror fiction. These may include techniques in creating atmosphere, building suspense, developing flawed protagonists and other possibilities that raise the fear factor in a story.
TLC Writer’s Studio: Introduction to Writing Fantasy Fiction | B251
Explore how to approach elements of fiction such as character development, authentic dialogue and plot outline as a fantasy fiction writer. Your journey will be led by Alice Paige a teaching artist from The Loft Literary Center.
Gen Zen: Creating Zines Drop-in | B242
Zines are DIY publications that can tell a story, share creativity, and highlight the causes that matter to us. Artist Z. Akhmetova will share materials and zine examples to help you create your own zine when you drop in to this session.
1PM: BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Headliner: Lance Rubin | Library
SIXTEEN AGAIN is a book with everything – fantasy, humor, romance and emotional depth. For six years every time Carter Cohen has reached his seventeenth birthday, he returns to the start of his sixteenth year to relive it again. In this session you’ll hear how author Lance Rubin is inspired by a variety of creative outlets to write stories that resonate with teen readers. Lance will be joined by interviewer Alexandra Pollock (Hennepin County Library) for this conversation.
Headliner: Ngozi Ukazu | A264
FLIP is the latest graphic novel from writer/illustrator Ngozi Ukazu, creator of the Check, Please! series. FLIP is set at a boarding school where strange things happen. For Chi-Chi, a scholarship student, “strange” is body swapping with her crush, Flip Henderson, after he publicly rejects her prom invitation. In this session, Ngozi shares how she brought this story of magical realism, humor, and personal growth to life, offering insight into her creative process and the themes that make her work resonate so strongly with readers.
Speed Booking with a Twist: Find Your Next Best Book | Gym D279
LIMITED SEATING
Browse books and speed share with fellow attendees. You’ll discover at least one new novel or graphic novel for the top of your Read-Next list. Note: Attendees are required to share with each other in this session. If that’s not your style, you may want to opt out. Seating is limited and TEENS ONLY. Julie Jacobsen and Neva Fuller (Scott County Library) will be your hosts.
Teen Lit Con Trivia | B243
Bring your phone or team up with a friend because you’ll need to use the Kahoot app to take part in a variety of trivia games. Gamemaster Peter Wagner (Hennepin County Library) is the host.
TLC Writer’s Studio: Introduction to Screenwriting | B250
Ever have an idea for a television show or a movie? Now’s your chance to jump start that idea. Michael Gorrie, a teaching artist from The Loft Literary Center will provide the info you need to develop your story for the screen.
Gen Zen: Creating Zines Drop-in | B242
Zines are DIY publications that can tell a story, share creativity, and highlight the causes that matter to us. Artist Z. Akhmetova will share materials and zine examples to help you create your own zine when you drop in to this session.
2PM: Teen Lit Con 2026 Finale
Auditorium Headliner: Angeline Boulley
End your 2026 Teen Lit Con experience with headlining author Angeline Boulley in conversation with a panel of teen interviewers. Angeline’s three stand-alone thillers are grounded in Ojibwe culture and the contemporary Native American experience. While highlighting Boulley’s recent release, SISTERS IN THE WIND, our interviewers are sure to touch on her award winning premier novel FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER (2021), and WARRIOR GIRL UNEARTHED (2023) for their impact on readers and YA literature.
Teen Lit Con 