Curriculum and Instructional Services

YOUNG AUTHORS' CONFERENCE

Judy Powers and Cathy Greenwood,
Co-Coordinators
914 248-2333

The Young Authors’ Conference began 15 years ago to publicly honor and encourage outstanding high school students who have demonstrated talent and interest in writing. The conference, held each March at Westchester Community College, provides highly stimulating opportunities for students to be active participants in writing workshops with professional writers, including novelists, poets, editors and journalists. Students gain an understanding of how writers write and learn of the diverse careers open to writers.

A select group of the most talented young writers gather for Editing Day in early winter to work with professional editors on specific manuscripts and to have their work published in the Young Authors’ Anthology. Editing Day and the Young Authors’ Anthology provide these serious high school writers with a unique professional experience that enables them to have a glimpse into the world of writing and publishing and, more important, to learn how to look at their own work through an editorial lens. At the Young Authors’ Conference, all participating students are given a copy of the anthology, which has become a highlight of the day. 

Working with professional writers and editors, and having the opportunity to be published in a professionally designed and printed anthology, has rewarded and encouraged dedicated student writers to continue to pursue the craft of writing. 
The Young Authors’ Conference and Editing Day are open to high school students in Putnam, Westchester and Rockland Counties. Each high school may select two students for Editing Day and fourteen students for the Young Authors’ Conference. Editing Day and the Young Authors’ Anthology are grant funded. Districts are billed for their students’ participation in the Young Authors’ Conference.