Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Wants YOU to Publish
We know you want more than a weekend filled with classes where teachers talk AT you. That’s why we provide a week-long conference filled with hands-on workshops where the faculty work WITH you on your manuscript. As a participant of a five-day workshop, you get free feedback from an agent or editor on your writing, opportunities to network with like-minded writers, and five days of afternoon breakout sessions filled with dozens of craft-specific topics designed especially for kidlit authors.
After WIFYR week, you’re not stranded for the rest of the year. We provide year-round support through multiple programs designed to help you achieve your writing and publishing goals.
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25th Anniversary Conference
June 10-14, 2024
American Preparatory Academy, 431 West 11915 S, Draper UT 84020
Registration opens on January 1, 2024
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~Francoise Bui, Executive Editor, Delacorte Press
“Loved being a guest editor at the writing and illustrating for young readers conference - which I happily attended two consecutive years. Not only were the organizers and fellow faculty fun and welcoming, the Utah setting amazing, but I was very impressed by the attendees and their depth of writing talent. It was easy to give critiques and to offer advice. I highly recommend the conference to aspiring writers. It’s five days well spent."
~Stacy Whitman, Editorial Director, TU books
"Writing and Illustrating for Young readers is a combination of all the best kinds of children’s lit events: It’s a workshop, a networking opportunity, and a conference, with the feel of a retreat. Utah’s strong children’s lit community draws excellent teachers from near and far. One of the best things you can do for your writing career is to learn from experts - and the experts are at WIFYR."
~Kyra Leigh, author of It Will End Like This and Reaper
“Without the WIFYR conference, I would have never had the confidence to submit my book to an agent. As well, I had the chance to meet him in person because he often attends this conference. Nothing but great things to say about WIFYR! ”