Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Wants YOU to Publish
We know you want more than a weekend filled with classes where teachers talk AT you. That’s why we provide a week-long conference filled with hands-on workshops where the faculty work WITH you on your manuscript. As a participant of a five-day workshop, you get free feedback from an agent or editor on your writing, opportunities to network with like-minded writers, and five days of afternoon breakout sessions filled with dozens of craft-specific topics designed especially for kidlit authors.
After WIFYR week, you’re not stranded for the rest of the year. We provide year-round support through multiple programs designed to help you achieve your writing and publishing goals.
June 15 - 19, 2026
American Preparatory Academy, 431 West 11915 S, Draper UT 84020
Registration opens on January 1, 2026
Thank you to our sponsors!
Stephen Fraser, Executive Agent at Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency ~ Stephen Fraser Scholarship
Joy Peskin, Senior Executive Editor at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers
~Francoise Bui, Executive Editor, Delacorte Press
“Loved being a guest editor at the writing and illustrating for young readers conference - which I happily attended two consecutive years. Not only were the organizers and fellow faculty fun and welcoming, the Utah setting amazing, but I was very impressed by the attendees and their depth of writing talent. It was easy to give critiques and to offer advice. I highly recommend the conference to aspiring writers. It’s five days well spent."
~Stacy Whitman, Executive Editor, TU books
"Writing and Illustrating for Young readers is a combination of all the best kinds of children’s lit events: It’s a workshop, a networking opportunity, and a conference, with the feel of a retreat. Utah’s strong children’s lit community draws excellent teachers from near and far. One of the best things you can do for your writing career is to learn from experts - and the experts are at WIFYR."
~Kyra Leigh, author of It Will End Like This and Reaper
“Without the WIFYR conference, I would have never had the confidence to submit my book to an agent. As well, I had the chance to meet him in person because he often attends this conference. Nothing but great things to say about WIFYR! ”