Celebrating Possibilities: Reading and Writing with Authentic Texts

March 10, 2026 - KSU Center (near the Cracker Barrel Restaurant.)

  • Check-in at Room 400.
  • On-site parking available.
  • 8:00am-4:00pm

Conference Strands

  • Treasuring Culture and Language Through Literacy
  • Reading and Writing Connections
  • Promoting Vocabulary Development and Reading Comprehension
  • The Science of Reading
  • Literature for Developing Creativity

Proposal Portal -- Now open through Thursday, January 21.

Keynote Speakers

Carmen Agra Deedy

Carmen Agra Deedy is an awardwinning author of sixteen books and the host of the four-time Emmy-winning children’s program, Love That Book! Deedy is also an accomplished lecturer, having been a guest speaker for the Library of Congress, Columbia University, TED, and TEDx Conference. An editor, and lifelong advocate for libraries, she previously served on the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.

Carmen Agra Deedy

R. Gregory Christie

R. Gregory Christie is an award-winning illustrator, author, and educator based in Atlanta. With numerous accolades, including six Coretta Scott King Honors and a Caldecott Honor, he brings art and literacy to life in libraries and classrooms nationwide. Gregory leads engaging programs that teach students and educators simple art fundamentals, linking them to grammar and literacy to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and a love of learning. Learn more at www.rgregorychristie.com.

R. Gregory Christie

What is LCYA

The KSU Conference on Literature for Children and Young Adults provides teachers, preservice teachers, public and school librarians, media specialists, and school administrators the opportunity to listen to and interact with highly acclaimed children's and young adult authors as well as attend presentations from master teachers and experts in the field on all facets of literacy instruction.

Now in its 32nd year, KSU's Annual Conference on Literature for Children and Young Adults has featured some of the most prominent authors writing today.

Conference Director: Dr. Debra Coffey

Register and Save the Date!

March 10, 2026

Call for Proposals

Breakout Session Presentations
Conference Theme: The Role of Children's and Young Adult Literature

Proposals for breakout sessions must relate to the conference theme and address aspects of literacy as they relate to using young adult and children's literature in the classroom. All proposals will undergo a blind, peer review process. All proposals will be reviewed, but accepted proposals will not be considered for inclusion in the conference program without an accompanying registration.

Breakout sessions are 50 minutes in length and are held in both the mornings and afternoons. If accepted, you may be asked to present at one or both sessions. You will be contacted via email regarding receipt of your proposal and again if the proposal is accepted. Once your proposal is accepted, if you have not yet registered, you will need to do so within 24 hours in order to be included in the program. You will also need to contact any co-presenters of your proposal’s acceptance.

Important: The KSU Conference on Literature for Children and Young Adults is a not-for-profit organization, therefore, the financial viability of our annual conference depends upon the support of everyone who attends. Invited presenters are required to register for the conference before final proposal acceptance will be granted.

Proposal Submission Deadline: February 6, 2026

Submit Conference Proposal

Conference Standards

Connections with the Georgia’s K-12 English Language Arts Standards

The KSU Literature Conference is designed to coordinate directly with Georgia’s K-12 English Language Arts Standards. Keynote presentations by highly respected authors and breakout sessions provide insights for taking instruction to the next level and enhancing the learning process for students from early childhood to the university level. 

Practices

Engagement & Intention for Comprehension & Composition (EICC) Students develop personal and academic identities as readers and writers, approaching texts for a variety of tasks and purposes and engaging in reading and writing processes in order to deepen comprehension and strengthen composition. 

Reader & Writer Identity 

Build an identity as a reader and writer, developing a repertoire of resources and tools to continuously expand participation as an active consumer and producer of texts.

Engagement & Intention 

Engage in written or spoken dialogue as author and audience for a variety of tasks and purposes, making intentional connections within, between, and beyond texts

We encourage innovative sessions that bring the world into the classroom and inspire enthusiasm for learning in creative ways. Our annual theme reflects the value of the educational standards as we promote an innovator’s mindset and meaningful educational experiences. 

Leadership Team

  • Director - Debra Coffey
  • Associate Directors - Kristen Killian and Angela Stover
  • Program Coordinators - Preethi Titu and Doug Bell
  • Program Proposal Coordinators - Shannon Tovey and Jessica Knoop
ksu student in the library taking notes.