Three authors laughing on a panel at the 2025 festival
For Authors, Publicists & Publishers

Where Stories Change Lives

Are you a YA author interested in participating in the 2027 festival? We'd love to hear from you! One day in Tampa Bay with 2,000 students.

Join authors like R.L. Stine for 2027.

Apply to Be a Featured Author View All Featured Authors
Author Applications, 2027

Apply to Join the 2027 Lineup

Thank you for your interest in YA BY THE BAY! We are looking for young adult authors to participate in the next YA BY THE BAY reading and leadership festival in Tampa, Florida. This isn't just a book festival. Of course, we will talk about books. But we also want you to share YOUR story, your experience of becoming an author, and your advice to aspiring writers. This is about turning readers into leaders and inspiring kids to build their dreams.

The festival will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2027 at the Tampa Convention Center. There will also be time for book signings and photo ops.

Author applications close November 1st.

Do you write using a pseudonym?

If you use a pseudonym, please use your author name for the questions above, but include your given name here for YA By The Bay internal use only. For example, so we can match your given name to your hotel reservation and avoid any cancellations.

Write N/A if not applicable.

Write N/A if not applicable.

Should we include your publicist or agent on communications?

Include the copyright year.

If self-published, please write "Self".

Self-published authors: would you like to host a table?

If you are a self-published author, you may host a table to sell and promote your books.

Head and shoulders, face clearly visible. JPG or PNG, at least 800px on the short side. This is the photo we run on your festival page and in the lineup announcement.

In a brief response: how can your books, experiences, or journey inspire young readers? If selected, your answers may be used to promote the festival on social media.

This festival wouldn't be possible without amazing authors like you! Questions about your application? Email info@yabythebay.org and we'll get right back to you.

Big Authors. Packed Rooms. Real Access.

Real momentum. The time between an author and a student is the main event.

Previously Featured Authors

Every writer here has stood on our stage or sat at one of our signing tables. R.L. Stine is confirmed for 2027, and the rest of next year's lineup is coming soon!

Sorboni Banerjee, R.L. Stine, Tiffany D. Jackson and Linda Bond holding the YA By The Bay glasses sign in front of the festival backdrop
Sorboni Banerjee, R.L. Stine, Tiffany D. Jackson and Linda Bond at the festival

R.L. Stine

Fireside Chat

Master of young adult horror and creator of the Goosebumps series. 400+ million books sold worldwide in 32 languages.

Confirmed for 2027

Tiffany D. Jackson

Keynote

NYT bestselling author of Monday's Not Coming, Allegedly, and Grown. Coretta Scott King Award winner.

Case Kenny

Keynote

Author, mindfulness expert, and host of the popular podcast New Mindset, Who Dis? Featured on The Today Show and Forbes.

Featured authors

  • Jumata Emill The Black Queen
  • Amélie Wen Zhao Blood Heir Trilogy
  • LaDarrion Williams Blood at the Root
  • Adam Cesare Clown in a Cornfield
  • L.B. Anne Sheena Meyer Series
  • Cristin Bishara Mothman
  • Julia Bodwell Contemporary YA
  • Moriah Chavis Heart of the Sea
  • Lucienne Diver Vamped Series
  • Kristen Grafton
  • Maria Ingrande Mora Fragile Remedy
  • Candace Kade The Hybrid Series
  • Jessica Kaye YA Science Fiction
  • Kerry Kriseman Accidental First Lady
  • K.A. Leigh Brudders® Series
  • Erika Lewis Kelcie Murphy Series
  • Leslie Lutz Fractured Tide
  • Annette Masters The Hennessy Lie
  • Melody Maysonet What We Wish For
  • Vanessa Montalban A Tall Dark Trouble
  • Chris Mullen ROWDY Series
  • Gloria Muñoz This is the Year
  • Ginny Myers Sain Dark and Shallow Lies
  • Abigail O'Bryan Iron Rose
  • Amy Nielsen Worth It
  • Megan O'Russell 31 books across 8 series
  • Steph Post Miraculum
  • Derek Roberts Brudders® Illustrator
  • Shawn Samuelson Henry Made in Maine
  • Jo Schulte Contemporary Fiction
  • Taylor Simonds YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy
  • Andie Smith The Bonded Series
  • Vania Stoyanova WHY ON EARTH
  • Kayla Tirrell Courtside Crush
  • RJ Valldeperas YA Fantasy
  • Taylor Wright Venture Trilogy

Want to Be a Featured Author?

Applications for the 2027 festival are open now.

Apply for 2027

It's not just a tagline. It's our mission and mantra.

We want to help teens overcome challenges, believe in themselves, and succeed.

YA BY THE BAY offers deeper connections, candid conversations, and a supportive community.

We need you, our incredible authors, to help us achieve our goals.