I’m writing from Alma, Arkansas.

I’m here thanks to Sara Putman. I first met Sara around the same time my debut novel came out. She was running a bookstore called Bookish in Fort Smith.

This past year, Sara sold the bookshop and went back to teaching full-time. When she called and asked if I’d come speak to her students, I said yes.

The talk went fine. The kids at Alma High liked books about as much as the other students I’ve met over the years. Which is to say, not much.

“Books? You mean, those things my grandma reads?”

Okay. So, it’s not that bad, but it’s close. And that’s fine. I might be the only novelist these students ever meet. That’s a responsibility I take seriously, but it does not change the fact that most teenagers simply do not read.

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Cram a hundred of them into the cafeteria, and there will be ten, maybe fifteen, who are actually listening. After twelve years of teaching in public schools, I know when students are listening. It’s a superpower. I can also count, usually on one hand, the number of students who come up to ask questions after my talks are over.

When they approach me, books clutched tight to their chests, and tell me about their writing, the novel they're working on, this crazy plot twist they dreamed up last night—I know my time was not wasted.

In fact, those students gave me the idea for “Lit Fest.”

Lit Fest is a daylong event for any high-schooler who’s ever dreamed of being a novelist, poet, editor, journalist, publisher, professor, etc. In other words, it’s a day devoted to bookworms.

Thanks to the help of the good folks at Arkansas Tech University, along with the generous support of Fat Daddy’s BBQ and Mullen Team Sports, we’re able to pull off a genuine conference-style festival.

Last year, we had nearly 200 students attend our inaugural event. And this year, it's going to be even better.

At the 2026 ATU Lit Fest, you’ll hear craft talks from New York Times bestselling author Ayana Gray and award-winning poet Greg Brownderville (Greg runs the Southern Methodist University Creative Writing Program, too). You’ll also get a free Lit Fest T-shirt and have a chance to win a $500 cash prize for our writing contest.

Lit Fest will take place on March 19, from 9-2 pm. You can find registration forms (registration is free) and all pertinent information by googling “ATU Lit Fest.”

If you know a student who loves reading or writing—a student who’d definitely ask a question at an author event—I hope you’ll let them know about this opportunity. Registration is capped at 200 students. So please, tell them to sign up quick!

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