Writing villains in YA literature who defy expectation

Format: Panel
15 Aug 2019, Thursday 12:00 – 12:50, Wicklow Room-2 (CCD)

In YA fiction, the bad guys used to be easy to spot in their metaphorical black hats and handlebar moustaches. What does the revamped ‘villain’ archetype mean for our young heroes? How does it affect the story and the other characters? How might this more nuanced sense of good and bad play out as young adult fiction continues to evolve?

Reading: Holly Black

Format: Reading
15 Aug 2019, Thursday 15:00 – 15:50, Liffey Room-2 (CCD)

Great heroes of children’s literature

Format: Panel
16 Aug 2019, Friday 12:00 – 12:50, Wicklow Hall 2B (CCD)

From Matilda Wormwood to Aang, Lyra Belacqua, and Jim Hawkins – just to name a few – some of our most memorable and significant heroes come from children’s literature. Why do these heroes make such a big impact on us, no matter our age? What turns these ordinary kids into extraordinary heroes? What do our young protagonists have to teach their adult counterparts about courage, loyalty, and the ability to overcome the scariest villains?

Kaffeeklatsch: Holly Black

Format: Kaffeeklatsch
16 Aug 2019, Friday 17:00 – 17:50, Level 3 Foyer (KK/LB) (CCD)

Graphic novel adaptations of genre work

Format: Panel
17 Aug 2019, Saturday 15:30 – 16:20, Odeon 2 (Point Square Dublin)

Is there such a thing as a good adaptation of a pure prose text? While some people argue that movies can never live up to the reader’s imagination, graphic novels have fewer limits and can add a significant visual element to our favourite genre literature. But they still might not look ‘right’, and a picture might not always be worth losing a thousand words. Join us to consider the challenges!

Children’s books: the gateway drug

Format: Panel
17 Aug 2019, Saturday 18:00 – 18:50, Liffey Room-2 (CCD)

For most of us, exposure to sci-fi and fantasy starts as children. At what point does imaginative children’s book illustration start being labelled ‘fantasy’? What creators influenced you? How aware are these two industries of each other? We talk to people who’ve had experience of both.

Dark fantasy for children

Format: Panel
18 Aug 2019, Sunday 11:00 – 11:50, Wicklow Hall 2A (Dances) (CCD)

How dark is too dark when it comes to dark fantasy and horror for young readers? Is there an invisible line in the sand? And what stories actually fall into this category: Alice in Wonderland, Coraline, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Goosebumps, A Monster Calls, The Wizards of Once? And why are kids drawn to these stories that make them jump at every bump in the night?

Ensembles in YA

Format: Panel
18 Aug 2019, Sunday 18:00 – 18:50, Wicklow Hall 2B (CCD)

YA protagonists have always had supporting casts, but works like Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows or An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir have used ensembles to great success. How do you create good YA ensembles? Are there roles that always need to be there? What are the good and bad things about ensembles? And do you still need a protagonist, or can you let the reader cheer for their favourites?

Autographs: Monday at 14:00

Format: Autographing
19 Aug 2019, Monday 14:00 – 14:50, Level 4 Foyer (CCD)