Young Authors Conference

Young Authors Conference - Grades 4-8: www.sparkpath.org/yac

The Young Authors Conference (lovingly, YAC) is a one-day field trip for grades 4-8 that takes place at Bethel University’s main campus. Hundreds of students spend the day learning from and writing with professional Minnesota authors. They leave with new strategies, ideas, and skills to become better writers.

Breakout sessions are engaging, interactive, and informative. A variety of topics have been offered over the years, including poetry, journalism, spoken word, short stories, memoir, playwriting, songwriting, and more. Students attend a keynote and three breakout sessions. Live music, an open mic, and a book fair keep students busy and engaged during the day. This event aligns with Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts.

SparkPath is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by BrightWorks (formerly Metro ECSU) to provide student enrichment programs. Registration for student programs is done through SparkPath's website.

BrightWorks Member: Early Bird $41/student ($43 after March 1, 2024)

Non-Member: Early Bird $55/student ($57 after March 1, 2024)

Individual Rate: $57/student (registered by their parent/legal guardian)

Cancellation: You can cancel your own registration for an event before the cancellation deadline. (Please check the event information for specific cancellation details.) If the event has a fee, refunds are possible only if cancellation is prior to the deadline. If you do not attend and do not cancel prior to an event, you are still responsible for payment and will be billed.

Special Accommodations: Please alert BrightWorks 2-3 weeks prior to the workshop/event if you need special accommodations, including sign language interpreters. (BrightWorks requires a notice of 2 business days to cancel a sign language interpreter. If you fail to cancel, we reserve the right to bill your school/district for this expense.) Update your profile as needed. Special accommodations are not included with each registration, but are stored in your profile until you make changes.