Celebrating Young Authors at the Tucson Festival of Books
The Young Authors Awards ceremony at the 2024 Tucson Festival of Books was a heartwarming celebration of creativity and talent. Winners from 1st through 12th grade were recognized for their outstanding stories and poems in the main tent near the University of Arizona Student Union. Each winner proudly walked across the stage to receive a certificate from Altrusa Tucson President Elda Lopez and shook hands with keynote speaker Adam Rex, a celebrated author who inspired the young writers with his words.
Winners were gifted an anthology featuring their published work, a gift bag, and a $100 gift certificate to the U of A Bookstore. To encourage further engagement with literature, each contest winner was offered a free book by a festival author at the registration table, making the day even more memorable for the students and their families.
For eight years, Altrusa Tucson has been proud to sponsor the Young Authors Contest, fostering a love for writing among local students. This year’s contest entries are due by December 19, 2024. Submissions can be emailed to YoungAuthors@tucsonfestivalofbooks.org, mailed to Altrusa at P.O. Box 42801, Tucson, AZ 85733, or dropped off at the Valencia Public Library. Each entry must include a parent-signed entry form, available on the Tucson Festival of Books website, at most Pima County libraries, or by submitting a photo of the printed form alongside the student’s original story or poem.
Mark your calendars for the next awards ceremony on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the University of Arizona. We look forward to celebrating another group of talented young writers and their inspiring stories!