YALLFest 2014 - Charleston, SC - November 7-8

YALLFest is a free young-adult literature festival at Blue Bicycle Books in downtown Charleston, SC. This year's festival is Friday, November 7 from 3pm to 5pm and Saturday, November 8th from 10am to 8pm.

Details here: http://yallfest.org/

YALLFest 2014 Authors:
Kwame Alexander
Jennifer Armentrout
Leigh Bardugo
Pseudonymous Bosch
Alexandra Bracken
Ann Brashares
Libba Bray
Coe Booth
Kiera Cass
Ally Condie
James Dashner
John Parke Davis
Melissa De La Cruz
Matt De La Pena
Sarah Dessen
Jim di Bartolo
Susan Ee
Daniel Ehrenhaft
Sarah Fine
Becca Fitzpatrick
Gayle Forman
Kami Garcia
Adam Gidwitz
Ryan Graudin
Adele Griffin
Nikki Grimes
Lev Grossman
Aaron Hartzler
Michelle Hodkin
Ellen Hopkins
Varian Johnson
Mike Johnston
Christina Lauren
David Levithan
E Lockhart
Alexander London
Marie Lu
Sarah J Maas
DJ MacHale
Barnabas Miller
Lauren Myracle
Lauren Oliver
Danielle Paige
Stephanie Perkins
Brendan Reichs
Kathy Reichs
Morgan Rhodes
Veronica Roth
Rainbow Rowell
Carrie Ryan
Kieran Scott
Jen E Smith
Natalie Standiford
Margaret Stohl
Laini Taylor
JE Thompson
Maya Van Wagenen
Scott Westerfeld
Rita Williams-Garcia
Sara Zarr

My friend and I are planning to drive down Friday morning and leave Sunday morning, if anyone wants to get together. I'd also welcome hotel/lodging suggestions!

I'm going!

So, downtown parking is kind of a nightmare and very, very expensive. There is very little public transportation except a bus line whose schedule I can't wrap my head around. On Saturday my husband is actually going to drop me off downtown so I don't have to deal with any of that. (Downtown is very walkable once you are actually there.) We'd be happy to pick up anyone going and after the festival we can all go to dinner if that works for everyone.

I ended up buying tickets for the opening/closing/Tiger Beats events, so if we don't cross paths at the same panels we can always meet back up at/after the Tiger Beats concert. I went to it last year and it was hilarious. Libba Bray can really belt it out.

I don't have any hotel/lodging suggestions, but I am happy to scout out places for people. Nora and I had already discussed how expensive/sold out it is downtown, but Mt. Pleasant is nearby and a very nice neighborhood. West Ashley is a close runner up. I live in North Charleston, but on a military base and I would not really recommend anything up there.

I've got tickets for the Tiger Beats concert as well, but am still deciding on the opening and closing keynotes.

Oh man, this sounds wonderful. My old stomping grounds just after my birthday with books and book friends! I am going to try to make this happen.

As for places to stay, check the b&bs. Sometimes you can score great prices. Also, the Not so Hostel is nice and decently located. I've stayed there before and would probably stay there this time if I make it down.

>5 leahbird: The Not So Hostel looks great! I'll have to double-check if it's okay with my friend, because it looks like the only beds they have available are in a co-ed dorm.

The big day is coming up! Is everyone still planning to come?

Unfortunately there's a chance that my ride has fallen through. I'll keep you posted!

I can't get away from work right now and I'm totally bummed allot it!

Sad face.

>10 RosyLibrarian: Me too :-(

I definitely won't be able to make it this year and I'm super bummed! I'll try hard to attend next year.

Hey, Nora, did you happen to buy any tickets for the event? My husband all of a sudden wants to go and everything is sold out, so I thought I would ask.

Really bummed you aren't coming either. Next year!

>13 RosyLibrarian: No, I didn't get anything before they sold out. Sorry!

>14 norabelle414: That's okay, I just wanted to check. Serves him right for waiting until the last moment, ha ha! (I'm such a sympathetic wife.)