Boston Book Festival 2018

YA superstars Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera have both attracted critical praise and devoted fandoms alike for their thoughtful, inclusive approach to writing about the messy but rich realities of young readers’ lives. When two young writers of this caliber combine their talents to jointly write a novel, the result is kind of a Big Deal. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome Albertalli and Silvera as this year’s YA Keynote, to celebrate the publication of their collaborative novel What If It’s Us. In a starred review, Kirkus praises What If It’s Us as a “joyful romance” that’s both “sweet and substantial.” Readers will adore this big-hearted novel about a couple of boys who meet cute at the post office and then come to terms with the complexities that ensue after the initial spark of attraction. Collaborative writing projects have become a big part of the YA publishing scene, so we’re curious to ask these co-authors about what the experience was like for them. What were the ground rules? What did they disagree about? What surprised them about the process? Moderator Kim Parker will certainly have some questions of her own, but you’ll also have a chance to bring up those burning questions you’ve been dying to ask Becky, Adam, or both!