YSU English Festival brings three nationally recognized authors

Nationally recognized authors Randy Ribay, Maggie Stiefvater and Chris Crowe will headline the 48th annual Youngstown State University English Festival, set for April 22-24 on the YSU campus.

Ribay, a Filipino American author from California, will serve as the Thomas and Carol Gay Memorial Lecturer. He is the author of seven books for young readers, including “Patron Saints of Nothing,” a National Book Award finalist and a Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Century.

Stiefvater, the Festival’s 2026 James A. Houck Memorial Lecturer, is a New York Times bestselling fantasy writer with more than a dozen books to her name. In addition to her writing, she is a musician, artist and car enthusiast. Her work has earned multiple Publishers Weekly Best Book designations and a Michael L. Printz Honor from the American Library Association.

Crowe, a recently retired professor from Brigham Young University, will serve as the David and Helga Ives Memorial Lecturer. An educator and author of four books for young readers, this will mark his third appearance at the Festival, continuing its long-standing collaboration with higher education institutions nationwide. Tiffany Anderson of Mercer University, a former YSU faculty member and English Festival committee member, will also present.

Now in its 48th year, the English Festival remains the oldest and one of the largest literary festivals in the country dedicated to young people.

Due to ongoing renovations to the Kilcawley Center, this year’s Festival will be based in Zidian Family Arena in Beeghly Center, along with nearby classrooms, giving students the opportunity to explore new areas of campus. More than 50 sessions are scheduled each day, including author presentations, workshops, insight sessions on featured books, writing contests and interactive activities.

An awards ceremony will conclude each day, recognizing winners of both Festival and pre-Festival competitions. More than $13,000 in monetary prizes and merchandise will be awarded, including increased prize amounts for the Jeremy Salvner Memorial Music Contest.

Visitors are welcome with prior arrangement. For more information, contact info@ysuenglishfestival.org.