Operation Literacy presents
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TEEN TICKET DETAILS
$159
INCLUDED WITH THE TEEN TICKET:
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Friday & Saturday filled with amazing programming and an expo hall to explore
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Priority seating at keynotes
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Access to Teen and General Programming
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Breakout classes and panels taught by bestselling authors
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Exclusive teen signing at the end of each day
BONUS OPTIONS:
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Masterclass add-ons
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Agent/Editor pitch sessions
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Teen Readers' Choice Awards Gala
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First Chapter Contest Entry
DISCOUNTED!
TEEN PROGRAM
FRIDAY TEEN SCHEDULE
9 AM - StoryCon Kick Off and Neal Shusterman Keynote
10 AM - Breakout #1
11 AM - Breakout #2
12 PM - Brandon Mull Keynote
1 PM - Breakout #3
2 PM - Breakout #4
3 PM - Breakout #5
4 PM - Marissa Meyer Keynote
6:30 PM - VIP Reception & Gala (this is an optional ticket add-on)
SATURDAY TEEN SCHEDULE
9 AM - Dhonielle Clayton Keynote
10 AM - Breakout #6
11 AM - Breakout #7
12 PM - Shannon Hale & LeUyen Pham Keynote
1 PM - Breakout #8
2 PM - Breakout #9
3 PM - Laini Taylor Keynote
4 PM - Breakout #10
5 PM - Breakout #11
6 PM- Closing & Jeff Kinney Keynote
MAIN STAGE
Teen pass holders get priority seating at all keynotes held on our StoryCon MainStage!
Presents
Narratives in Motion
The Power of Storytelling through Performance.
Featuring four renowned visual and musical performers and their storytelling journey.
More info coming soon.
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BREAKOUT
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
BREAKOUT #1
Friday 10:00 am-10:50 am
PANEL: Middle Grade Mischief
Shannon Hale, Chad Morris, Mike Thayer, and Aubrey Hartman
Crafting comedy for kids!
255 A (General Track)
PANEL: From Sketch to Story
Jess Smart Smiley, and Dustin Hansen
How illustrators bring stories to life.
255 B
Writing Emotion
Rosalyn Eaves
Most of us are drawn to stories because of the emotions they inspire in us–fear, joy, love, hope. But creating that emotion in stories can be hard. Most writers know that it’s better to show emotion than tell readers what the characters feel–but sometimes not even showing the emotion works to help readers feel what the characters are feeling. In this workshop, we talk about five related strategies (known in academic terms as the objective correlative) for adding emotional depth to stories.
255 C
DUNGEON: Epic Dragons
Amber Davies
Draconomicon: Guide to Epic Dragons, Dungeonomicon
255D
BREAKOUT #2
Friday 11:00 am-11:50 am
PANEL: Red Pen Ready
Megan Clements, Kaylynn Flanders, Kim Christensen, Amy White
Turning your rough draft into a masterpiece.
255 A (General Track)
PANEL: Wizards, Jedis, and Hobbits
Rosalyn Eves, Tom Durham, Kathryn Purdie, Shelly Brown, Jeff Wheeler
Storytelling secrets from iconic book and movie series.
255 B
Body Language, Lies, and Spies
Tiana Smith
Sure, you can tell readers your character is lying. But wouldn’t it be better if you show readers instead? Learn the universal body language behaviors and facial cues we all demonstrate when under stress, acting deceitfully, or are comfortable with our surroundings. Using the CIA's proven methodology for detecting lies, this class will analyze verbal behaviors, body language, facial expressions and more to help your characters act in a way that is believable and true to their inner motivations so you can hint at double crossings, epic twists, and delight your readers — all without "telling" them what's really going on. By the time this class is over, you may even become a human lie detector yourself.
255 C
DUNGEON: Battle Tatics
Ryan Bouché
How to play Fighters, Barbarians, Paladins, and Monks!
255D
BREAKOUT #3
Friday 1:00 pm-1:50 pm
Idea Fodder for Your Squirrels
Charlie N. Holmberg
Are you stumped with what to work on next? Ever wondered how a favorite author came up with such an amazing premise? There’s a lot of frustration with the question, “Where do good ideas come from?” because nothing and everything is the answer. In this class, we’ll talk about where and how to mine great story ideas using a variety of strategies, and how to choose those that best resonate with readers.
255 C
DUNGEON: Dungeons & Evil Lairs
Jeff Wheeler
Everything you need to know about creating dungeons and evil lairs for your game play!
255D
PANEL: Fear Factor
CR Langille, J Scott Savage, Janet Sumner Johnson
Creating horror that haunts.
255 B
PANEL: Social Media Savvy
Jolie Taylor, Shanti Hershenson, Z. S. Diamanti, Serene Heiner, Robyn Schneider
Turning posts into readers.
255 A (General Track)
BREAKOUT #4
Friday 2:00 pm-2:50 pm
DUNGEON: The Undead
Adrian Ford
Necronomicon: Guide to Summoning the Undead Room
255D
The Hero's Journey
Mike Thayer
"What stands in your way is not what holds you back." Learn from fantasy author Mike Thayer how to harness the power of the Hero’s Journey to make your fictional characters more memorable and your real life more meaningful. Entertaining, educational, and inspirational!
255 C
Bootcamp for Parents with Nerd Kids
Tom Durham
If your kid is a nerd, and you're not, you need this class. What's a D20? How do you get a victory royale? Who's the cabbage man? Why did Dumbledore die? Your kids know. And if you did... you could have so many more amazing NON-CRINGE conversations with them! :) From the basics of how to read to your kids to how to get them to want to play with you... after this class you'll be a much nerdier---and cooler---parent.
255 A (General Track)
PANEL: Crash Course in Romance
Emily Cox, Nicole Allen, Kasie West, Tiana Smith, Sahsha Peyton Smith
Panelists discuss all things swoony and lovey in storytelling.
255 B
BREAKOUT #5
Friday 3:00 pm-3:50 pm
PANEL: Sanderson's Success
Frank Cole, Christopher Paolini, Dax Levine, Jessica Day George
Breaking down the magic of Brandon Sanderson's stories.
255 A (General Track)
PANEL: Tension Tactics
Haley Bono, Tiffany Rosenhan, Bree Despain, Nova McBee
How to make your readers sweat.
255 B
The Bones of the Story
Ayana Gray
Building a basic story structure that allows you to tell any story, regardless of genre, in a compelling way.
255 C
DUNGEON: Mighty Magic
Sofiya Pasternack
Mighty Magic: How to Play Wizards, Clerics, Druids, and Sorcerers
255D
BREAKOUT #6
Saturday 10:00 am-10:50 am
DUNGEON TRACK: Arium
Will Munn and Co.
Build your own world with this interactive Arium Workshop!
255 D
PANEL: Inspiration from Folklore, Myths, and Fairytales
Sara Ella, Shannon Hale, Julie Wright, Laini Taylior
How to take old tales and give them a new spin.
355 F
PANEL: From Scratch to Spectacular: Immersive Worlds
Ayana Gray, Jeff Wheeler, Christopher Paolini, Kaela Rivera
Creating immersive worlds.
355 E
PANEL: Agents & Editors Unplugged
Chris Schoebinger, Suzie Townsend, Amy Jameson, Elesa Hagberg
Top literary editors and agents discuss the current publishing world and getting your writings to the right place at the right time.
255 A (General Track)
Lessons from a TV Writers Rooms
Adam Berg
Let's discuss ways of writing and creative work in a group setting. We'll go over lessons learned from television, film, and stage that can be applied to any work. We'll talk about technique and ways to improve your creative process.
355 D
Telling Stories from Multiple POVs
Robyn Schneider
How to write stories with more than one narrator or major character.
355 C
1st Draft Done . . . Now What?
Megan Clements
You’ve probably heard this a million times—get the book done. Write that first draft. And you’ve followed that advice. Now you have a huge dumpster fire in your hands.
Join Waypoint Authors Senior Editor Megan Clements as we, first and foremost, celebrate the creation of a first draft. After that, we’ll go to work on using five editorial checkpoints that will help you make sense of your initial draft so you can uncover its potential. You’ll leave with the tools to create a solid revision plan that will move you toward a finished manuscript you can be proud to put into the hands of readers.
255 C
Writing Scary Stories: Tips and Techniques to Make Any Scene Scary
Josh Roberts
Do you like spooky or scary stories? In this class, Josh Roberts (author of “The Witches of Willow Cove” series) will reveal the different techniques your favorite authors use to create suspense and scare their readers. You will learn how atmosphere, pacing, sentence structure, fear of the unknown, and other special ingredients can turn any scene scary, and then apply them to your own writing . . . if you dare!
355 B
Picking the Perfect People
Jessica Day George
Who is your main character? I mean, who are they REALLY? And why are they the perfect protagonist for your story? Jessica Day George will guide you through developing a three-dimensional protagonist- their strengths and weaknesses, their quirks, their physical appearance, as well as figuring out who their perfect antagonist would be.
355 A
BREAKOUT #7
Saturday 11:00 am-11:50 am
PANEL: The Write Balance
Faralee Pozo, Kaylynn Flanders, Kathryn Purdie,
Shelly Brown
Where mental health and the creative expression meet.
255 A (General Track)
7-Headed World-Building Monster
Caitlin Sangster
Have you ever come up with a cool idea for a world you are brainstorming only to have it bring up six extra problems you now have to fix, and now somehow there's a complicated economic system that hinges on ten different types of dragon scale? Or maybe you're the opposite: you don't like world building. You just want there to be dragons, and the science of flying and fire breathing and riding giant beasts is the worst and you just want to play with your characters. We'll chat about a few strategies that can help us make our worlds feel deep and new while also serving the type of story you want to tell.
255 C
(cont.) DUNGEON TRACK: Arium
Will Munn and Co.
Build your own worlds with Arium Workshop!
255 D
The Disney Formula
Sara Ella
Have you ever wondered why the waterworks appear at the end of films like Beauty and the Beast or The Little Mermaid? Or perhaps you've asked what in the world caused you to care so much about a clownfish! Time and time again, Disney stories make their way into our hearts, impacting us long after we leave the theatre. How do they make that magic succeed? What can we learn from Disney's techniques that will help our own novels shine? In this class, we'll explore the "Disney formula," why it works, and how you can sprinkle a little Pixie Dust into your writing.
355 A
Who's Plot Is It Anyway: Improv for Writers
Scott Mooney
For the Teen and/or Tween Author Boot Camp Class, I would love to present on using concepts from improv to bring spontaneity and play to students' writing process. It would be accessible to anyone, including "Planners" and "Pantsers," whether they have improv experience or not. Depending on the format of the presentation, I would love to incorporate short "games" that participants could play with people near them to illustrate concepts and forge connections.
355 B
How to Write an Epic Fight Scene
Jo Schaffer Layton
Every book needs tension, and that often comes in the form of an “action” or “fight” scene. Whether you’re looking to create a Tolkien-type epic battle or have two characters in a spat, learn how to make your next fight scene one that readers will hold their breath through!
355 C
How to Fail at Writing: And Other Lessons You Didn't Know You Needed
Jennifer Jenkins
There are so many classes on how to succeed in writing. The truth is, failure and rejection are a big part of creation and publishing. In this class I will coach you on a healthy approach to writing a novel, covering subjects on combating writer's block, rejection, and the monster who can become the greatest villain of all: ourselves.
355 D
PANEL: Storytelling Without Borders
Emily Inouye Huey, Veeda Bybee, Moses Ose Utomi, Yamile Saied Mendez
Embracing diversity in fiction.
355 E
PANEL: Verse Ventures
Jolie Taylor, Leigh Statham, Katie, Jarvis Shomler, Cameron Dietlein
Adventures in crafting poetry.
355 F
BREAKOUT #8
Saturday 1:00 pm-1:50 pm
PANEL: From Fact to Fiction
Jennifer A Nielsen, Emily Inouye Huey, Rosalyn Eves, Jo Schaffer Layton, Libba Bray
Turning historical events into riveting reads.
255 A (General Track)
Worlds of Critical Role
Dax Levine, Adrian Ford, Amber M Davies, Renae Kinglsey, Cameron Abaroa
More information coming soon
255 B
Writing Emotion without Cringe
Erin Stewart
Nothing turns a reader off faster than cliché or overdone emotion. So how do you beef up all the feels in your novel without falling headfirst into cheeseball territory? In this class, Erin will discuss how to go deeper with your characters’ emotions while staying authentic and relatable. We’ll examine backstory wounds, psychological needs and how to use non-verbal cues to relay emotion without getting too cringey.
255 C
30 Ways to Get it Done in 30 Days
Julie Wright
From organization to time to finding your groove, this class will give you 30 tips and tricks to successfully write a book in a month.
355 A
Suspense, Tension, & Mystery
Nova Mcbee
A great novel doesn’t need to be fast paced, but it does need to be laced with mystery, tension, suspense and unanswered questions to drive the plot forward. Learn specific techniques on how to craft these elements into your story.
355 B
Once Upon a Movie Script
Tom Durham
Movies come from WRITERS. So come learn how to write one by taking a crash course from an Emmy-winning writer and director! Screenwriting is a wonderful (and even marketable) skill. Even if you prefer being a novelist over a screenwriter, understanding the structure, pace, and power of visual writing will propel your books to new levels.
355 C
PANEL: Welcome to the Apocalypse
Margaret Peterson Haddix, Neal Shusterman, Marissa Meyer, Caitlin Sangster
Writing dystopia that doesn't suck.
355 E
PANEL: Monsters and Myths: Creating Creatures
Tyler Whitesides, Frank Cole, Scott Mooney, Jessica Day George
Crafting compelling creatures.
355 F
BREAKOUT #9
Saturday 2:00 pm-2:50 pm
DUNGEON: Voice Acting and Character Personas
Cameron Abaroa
How to implement acting and improve your character play.
255D
PANEL: Writing for Film and Theatre
Adam Berg, Katie Jarvis Shomler, Cameron Dietlein, Jo Schaffer Layton
Learn the ins and outs of writing scripts.
355 E
PANEL: Wands, Spells, and System Fails
Rena Barron, Sasha Peyton Smith, Brandon Mull, Ayana Gray
Making magic that works.
355 F
It's a Love Story: Baby, Just Say 'YES!'
Kasie West
Kasie West is the queen of the wholesome YA romance. Come get some tips from her on how to make your romance give your readers all the feels.
355 C
CPR for Your Medical Trauma
A.J. Stevens
Covers basic trauma, defines types of trauma and basic treatment. Discusses tips for creating accurate trauma with corresponding effects to characters and story. Goes over common mistakes and how to avoid them.
355 B
Intersects of World-Building and Plotting
Jennifer Nielsen
Building a believable world is vital to any story we write, in any genre. Choices we make will influence and sometimes define the way a plot unfolds. This class will focus on the key elements of any world that is built.
355 A
Crafting Core Wounds: Developing Compelling Characters
Cass Biehn
Craft characters using the “shard of glass” theory to learn what makes characters engaging, memorable, and unique. This class will cover how a character’s “want” differs from what they “need” and how a compelling arc allows the character to discover what they truly need to succeed, incorporating examples of characters familiar to the audience.
355 D
PANEL: The Query Quest
Yamille Mendez, Nova McBee, Lindsey Flanagan, Amy Jameson
Turning rejections into requests.
255 A (General Track)
BREAKOUT #10
Saturday 4:00 pm-4:50 pm
DUNGEON: Dastardly Schemes
Tyler Whitesides
How to Play Rogues, Warlocks, Rangers, and Bards
255 B
PANEL: The Plot Thickens
Allison Anderson, Lindsay Flanagan, Amy White, Josh Roberts
Crafting stories with solid structure.
355 F
PANEL: Shakespeare in Modern Media
Grassroots Shakespeare
What do She's the Man, Empire, Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Lion King, and West Side Story all have in common??
355 E
Have Fun Storming the Castle
Renae Kingsley
Have you ever wanted to pursue a creative dream and felt it was impossibly daunting? Using iconic characters from the cult classic movie, The Princess Bride, this engaging workshop will help you learn various techniques to overcome creative blocks and gain confidence in your skills. Learn how to develop your artistic voice no matter what form of expression your creativity takes.
355 C
Write For Life
Kim Christensen
Brené Brown says we move what we're learning from our heads to our hearts through our hands. Research shows that writing through our experiences and emotions is one of the most effective ways to process them. While therapy has its place, journaling is something everyone can (and should) access anytime, for free. Even just a few minutes of journaling has been shown to decrease your heart rate and ease anxiety. In this class, we’ll explore the science behind expressive writing and how to get the most out of it for ourselves and our loved ones.
355 D
Breathe, Move, Write: Unlock Your Creative Flow
Naomi Watkins
Ever feel like writing is just... blah? Like it's all about rules and boring essays? Well, guess what? Writing is WAY more than that! It's about expressing your unique voice, your feelings, your ideas - and it all starts with your body. In this workshop, we're ditching the old-school way of thinking about writing. We'll explore how to:
•Unleash your creativity through movement, breathing, and even a little bit of imagination.
•Break through writer's block with cool techniques that tap into your body's wisdom.
•Find your flow and write with confidence, even when it feels tough.
•Create a safe space where your words matter and your voice is heard.
Get ready to discover a whole new way to write – one that's fun, empowering, and totally you.
355 B
Voice: Sprinkling with Flavor
Janet Sumner Johnson
Writers are often encouraged to ‘find your voice.’ But what does that even mean? And how is that different than you simply writing your book? This class will answer those questions. We’ll discuss what voice means (and what it doesn’t), and how to make not only your writing distinct, but your characters as well. From spicing up your word choices, to adding unique sensory details, to using imagery to bring your story to life, this class will help you find your voice, and take your writing to the next level.
355 A
PANEL: DIY Dream
Aaron N. Hall, Heidi Voss, Z. S. Diamanti, Robin King
How to self-publish like a pro.
255 A (General Track)
BREAKOUT #11
Saturday 5:00 pm-5:50 pm
StoryCon: ENDGAME!
Chad Morris
This is literally a game at the end of StoryCon. Come ready to have fun, laugh, show what you know, and learn some more. Oh, and win prizes like chocolate and advanced reading copies of books before they come out (great combination!). Award-winning author Chad Morris will guide you through the challenge, throw in some wisdom, distract you with his bald head, and answer your authoring questions.
255 C
Poetry Slam
Leigh Statham & Teen Writers
Come discuss and share poetry with our Teen Poetry Anthology Participants!
355E
DUNGEON: Worlds of the Cosmere
Dax Levine, Renae Kinglsey, Ryan Bouché
Brandon Sanderson's world... need we say more?
255 B
PANEL: What I Wish I'd Known as a Teen Writer
Chloe Christenson, Christopher Paolini, McKenzie Wagner, Cass Biehn, Robyn Schneider
Teens and experienced authors discuss what teens might need to understand about the publishing world.
355 F
Magic, Magic Everywhere
Does your character have magic hair that glows when she sings, or does he have to attend a private school to study every spell he uses? There are different kinds of magic and so many wonderful ways you can use it to add that extra sparkle to a story. In this class, we will talk about the rules of magic, different systems, and how to create worlds revolving around it.
Allison Anderson
355 D
I Love that I Suck
Elesa Hagberg
Learn how to silence your inner critic, cultivate resilience, and find joy in the process of writing, no matter where you are on your path. Sometimes we DO suck. And not only is that okay, its amazing.
355 C
Make 'Em Laugh
Aaron N. Hall
Writing comedy can be a challenge, so how can you make sure jokes are landing and funny bones are being tickled? Aaron N. Hall, author of giggle-worthy sci-fi and fantasy like My Name is Hammerfist and The Legend of Uh, teaches you different forms of comedy and how you can use them to elevate your writing. Prepare to make your readers hehe and haha and lol with these helpful tips.
355 B
PANEL: Publishing Pitfalls
Kasie West, Sara B Larson, Adam Berg, Faralee Pozo
What to do and what to dodge.
255 A (General Track)
ATTEND THE AWARDS GALA
The Operation Literacy Awards Gala includes a VIP reception, a semi-formal dinner, a silent auction featuring products from generous local businesses, and a program held in conjunction with StoryCon at the Salt Palace on February 21, 2025. This year's theme is Once Upon a Time.
The evening program includes:
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Teen Readers' Choice Awards: The only national book award for professional authors decided by teens!
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Book Hero Awards: Recognizing individuals, educators, and organizations in our community who are making strides to elevate children's literacy.
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Recognition of the teens published in Operation Literacy's annual Short Story Anthology and Poetry Collection. Both bodies of work are published in partnership with Owl Hollow Press.
ADD-ON EXPERIENCES
JOIN OUR TEEN
CREATIVE COMMUNITIES
PLAN YOUR EPIC WEEKEND
You have your tickets, you've snagged your add-on experiences, now you're ready to plan for an epic StoryCon weekend!
TESTIMONIALS
“TABC changed the trajectory of my life. It taught me who I
am and what I can become.”
Alayna Beck, TABC Graduate