Tag: Workshop

Know Before You Go: ALAN Workshop and Events

Know Before You Go: ALAN Workshop and Events

Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE (ALAN)

Know Before You Go: ALAN Workshop and Events

Dear ALAN Members,

I am so excited for you to attend the 2023 ALAN Workshop!  

The workshop is the highlight of ALAN each year. It is where you will meet with colleagues from across the country, receive copies of some of the best and newest YA and middle grade books, and get to hear from a host of authors. The theme for the 2023 workshop is “Audacious Dreams: Celebrating Imagination, Courage, and Freedom in YAL.”

Below is more information about the workshop and our events during NCTE.

Workshop Times and Registration

The ALAN Workshop is held in conjunction with NCTE’s annual convention and registration can be accessed through the NCTE registration portal. The workshop will take place in the convention center on Monday, November 21 (8am-5pm) and Tuesday, November 22nd (8am-1:30pm). 

Being an NCTE member gives you a discount to the ALAN workshop ($250 early registration rate). If you are a member of ALAN and not NCTE, you can also receive discount pricing for registration ($250 early registration rate). Please contact ALAN Executive Director, Mark Letcher (alanexecdirector@gmail.com) for the ALAN member discount code. 

ALAN Workshop Buddies

The ALAN Mentorship Committee would like to offer attendees who are new to ALAN and/or an in-person workshop an opportunity to connect with members who have attended previous workshops. These pairings will provide newer attendees with a go-to person for questions they have prior to and during the workshop and an opportunity to build community and connections among ALAN members. If you are a newer attendee who would like to be connected with a more experienced conference attendee or you’ve been to ALAN a time or two (or more!) and would like to support a newcomer, fill out this Google Form by Mon. November 13th. 

ALAN Booth during NCTE

Be sure to check out the ALAN Booth at NCTE to learn more about us! There will be fun ALAN swag, author signings, chances to win books, and more!  

Schedule of Events

Friday, November 17, 2:00-3:15pm–Connecting Around Young Adult Lit (YAL): Current Conversations About YAL in the Classroom

This ALAN-Sponsored session at NCTE will feature roundtable conversations related to the teaching of young adult literature (YAL) in middle grades and secondary classrooms and current conversations in the field of YAL. Roundtable topics may include (but are not limited to) navigating censorship, pairing YAL titles with canonical texts, securing funding to purchase YAL novels, creating place-based units, and workshopping popular YAL texts.

Saturday, November 18, 7:00-9:15am–ALAN Breakfast featuring Tiffany D. Jackson

The ALAN Breakfast will be held the morning of Saturday, November 19th from 7:00-9:15am. This year’s breakfast speaker is the one and only Tiffany D. Jackson! The ALAN breakfast is an exciting event to attend, for we celebrate and recognize the amazing work our ALAN members and authors do to promote adolescent literature in the classroom. You will need to purchase a separate ticket for the ALAN Breakfast, which you can do through the NCTE registration system.

Saturday, November 18, 5:45-7:00pm–ALAN Master Class: Craft and Creativity

Join us Saturday evening for the ALAN Master Class. This session will feature authors Ruta Sepetys, David Bowles, and Guadalupe García McCall in discussion on craft, creativity, and finding an authentic voice, followed by interactive roundtables with authors and participants exploring ways to develop students’ craft.

Sunday, November 19, 5:00-6:30–ALAN Author Reception 

A highlight of the workshop each year is the ALAN Author Reception. Join us at the reception where you will meet authors, hear book talks from the authors themselves, receive signed bookplates, and chat with other ALAN members. The reception will be held on the evening of Sunday, November 20th, from 5:00-6:30. Everyone registered for the ALAN workshop is invited to attend.  

Monday and Tuesday, November 20-21–ALAN Workshop 

The ALAN Workshop will be held Monday, November 21, from 8:00am-5:00pm and Tuesday, November 22, from 8:00am-2:00pm. Wondering about the ALAN Workshop experience? Prepare to be surrounded by books, authors, and amazing ALAN members who love adolescent literature. 

Books

When you arrive early Monday morning, you will check in and receive a big box of some of the newest and very best young adult and middle grade books. These books are generously provided by each of the publishers and are included for each person who registers for the workshop. There will be ALAN members there to assist you in getting your box to your seat if you would like. Some attendees prefer to pack their suitcases to fly their books home. However, as you will receive at least 20-25 books, this gets pretty heavy. For those who would prefer to ship their book boxes home, there will be a nearby shipping station available. Shipping usually costs around $50+ for the box of books, but can be higher depending on destination. (USPS cannot set up a shipping station but if you want to try and find a post office by the convention center to ship book rate, you are welcome to do that). For those who will be driving, the Convention Center has accessible parking within the building at the Goodale Garage.

Authors

Much of the two days is filled with opportunities to listen to incredible authors speak!  There will be author panels of three authors, conversations with two authors, and some inspiring keynotes. You’ll sit back, relax, and soak in all of the awesome-ness of being in the space with your colleagues and the authors you love.

Breakout Sessions

We will have one hour devoted to breakout sessions on Monday. Each of the sessions will be on the program, and you will get to choose which session you would like to attend. Each session will feature classroom teacher(s), librarian(s), and/or professor(s) who have prepared interactive presentations with innovative ideas you will be able to bring back to your schools and students. 

Lunch

This year, in order to reduce the stress and time-constraints of trying to leave the area to find lunch and make it back in time to hear the next authors speak, we will be providing boxed lunches, the cost of which is included in your registration fee. There will be themed rooms and spaces available for you to sit, chat, and eat with your colleagues and, hopefully, some new ALAN friends.  

Traditionally Marginalized Community Luncheon

We are excited to again host an ALAN affinity space for those who identify as traditionally marginalized. This will be a social hour with an opportunity to build community and connect with new and familiar faces. Please look for more details to come!

I can’t wait to see you all in Columbus this November! 

Warmly,

Jewel Davis

2023 ALAN President

ALAN “How To” for 2022 Workshop

ALAN “How To” for 2022 Workshop

Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE (ALAN)

ALAN “How To” for 2022 Workshop

Dear ALAN Members,

On behalf of all of ALAN leadership, I can say that we are incredibly excited to once again gather in person for our 2022 ALAN Workshop!  

The ALAN Workshop is the highlight of ALAN each year.  It’s where you will meet with colleagues from across the country, receive copies of some of the best and newest YA and middle grade books, and get to hear from a host of authors.  The theme for the 2022 workshop is “Come Together: Using YAL to Rise, Overcome, and Forge Ahead Together.”

As it’s been almost three years since we have gathered in person, this letter serves as a reminder for some and as an introduction to an in-person workshop for others.  As always, please reach out with any questions as you review the information below.

Location, Dates, and Times

The ALAN Workshop is held in conjunction with NCTE’s annual convention.  The workshop itself will take place on Monday, November 21 (8am-6pm)  and Tuesday, November 22nd (8am-2pm), in Anaheim, CA.  See details on the Sunday night reception below.

Registering for the Workshop through NCTE

When you register for the workshop, you automatically receive a one-year ALAN membership, which includes three issues of ALAN’s journal, The ALAN Review. 

Steps for Registering:

  1. Registration for the workshop is done through NCTE’s website and can be accessed here.  Click “New Registration.”
  1. Check “Events Only” to register ONLY for the ALAN Workshop.  If you will also be attending NCTE, then select the option that describes your registration preference.  Note: There is no virtual option for the ALAN Workshop. 
  1. Whichever option you choose, the next page will provide you with a choice of which convention/workshop you would like to attend.  Check the “ALAN Workshop” box and click “Continue.”
  1. Enter your personal information on the next two pages.
  1. On the following page, you will have the option to purchase a ticket to the ALAN Breakfast on Saturday morning, November 20th. If you would like to purchase a ticket (we would LOVE to have you, and it’s going to be amazing!), check the box, and then click “Continue.”
  1. On the final page, enter your payment information to finalize your registration. 

ALAN Mentorship Opportunity

A note from ALAN’s Mentorship Committee Co-Chairs, Andrea Glaws and Naitnaphit Limlamai:

This year, the ALAN Mentorship Committee would like to offer attendees who are new to ALAN and/or an in-person Workshop an opportunity to connect with members who have attended previous Workshops. These pairings will provide newer attendees with a go-to person for any questions they have prior to and during the Workshop and build community and connections among ALAN members. If you are a newer attendee who would like to be connected with a more experienced conference attendee or you’ve been to ALAN a time or two (or more!) and would like to support a newcomer, look for the option to be matched with a buddy after you register!

ALAN Booth during NCTE

Be sure to check out the ALAN Booth at NCTE!  There will be fun ALAN swag, author signings, chances to win books, learn about our assembly,  and more!  

ALAN Breakfast Saturday Morning

The ALAN Breakfast will be held the morning of Saturday, November 19th from 7:00-9:15am..  Get excited, because the author speaker at the breakfast is INCREDIBLE!  While not technically a part of the workshop, the breakfast celebrates ALAN for a wider NCTE audience.  You will need to purchase a separate ticket for the ALAN Breakfast, which you can do when you register.

Sunday Night ALAN Reception 

A highlight of the workshop each year is the ALAN Author Reception, and this year will be no different.  Join us at our reception, where you will meet authors, chat with other ALAN members, and enjoy some snacks and beverages among friends!  The reception will be held on the evening of Sunday, November 20th, from 5:30-7:00pm, and everyone registered for the workshop automatically gets an invitation. First time attendees can find ALAN veterans to ask questions about the workshop before it begins on Monday morning.  

ALAN Workshop Monday and Tuesday

The main part of the ALAN Workshop will be held Monday, November 21, from 8:00am-6:00pm and Tuesday, November 22, from 8:00am-2:00pm. So, what does the ALAN Workshop look like?  It will overwhelm you in all the very best of ways (books, authors, and friends, oh my!).  

Books!

When you arrive early Monday morning, you will check in and receive a big box of some of the newest and very best young adult and middle grade books.  These books are generously provided by each of the publishers and are included for each person who registers for the workshop.  There will be ALAN members there to assist you in getting your box to your seat if you would like.  Some attendees prefer to pack their suitcases to fly (or drive) their books home.  However, as you will receive at least 20-25 books, this gets pretty heavy.  For those who would prefer to ship their book boxes home, there will be a FedEx mobile shipping station set up right outside the main room of the workshop for your convenience.  Shipping usually costs around $50+ for the box of books, but can be higher depending on destination (USPS cannot set up a shipping station but if you want to try and find a post office by the convention center to ship book rate, you are welcome to do that).

Authors!

Much of the two days is filled with opportunities to listen to incredible authors speak!  There will be author panels of three authors, conversations with two authors, and some inspiring keynote and individual author speakers.  You’ll sit back, relax, and soak in all of the awesome-ness of being in this space with your colleagues and the authors you love.

Breakout Sessions!

We will have one hour devoted to breakout sessions on Monday.  Each of the sessions will be on the program, and you will get to choose which session you would like to attend.  Each session will feature classroom teacher(s), librarian(s), and/or professor(s) who have prepared interactive presentations with innovative ideas you will be able to bring back to your schools and students. 

Lunch!

This year, in order to reduce the stress and time-constraints of trying to leave the area to find lunch and make it back in time to hear the next authors speak, we will be providing boxed lunches, the cost of which is included in your registration fee.  There will be rooms and spaces available for you to sit, chat, and eat with your colleagues and hopefully some new ALAN friends.  

Traditionally Marginalized Community Luncheon

A note from ALAN’s Traditionally Marginalized Community Committee Chair, Keisha Rembert:

We are excited to offer the first ALAN affinity space for those who identify as traditionally marginalized.  This will be a social hour with an opportunity to build community and connect with new and familiar faces. Please look for more details to come!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Anaheim in November, when we can come together and celebrate our passion for the power of books and authors!  

Warmly,

Dani King-Watkins

2022 ALAN President