Popular young adult fiction author Courtney Stevens will be the keynote speaker at the annual Young Writers Conference on July 20 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Author of “Faking Normal,” “The Lies About Truth,” the e-novella “The Blue-Haired Boy,” “Dress Codes for Small Towns,” and “Four Three Two One,” Stevens grew up among the rivers, cornfields, churches, and gossip in the small town South.

Dr. Jeff Newberry, Professor of English and Poet in Residence at ABAC, is this year’s conference director, and he is particularly looking forward to Stevens’ words to the attendees

“We’re really excited to have Courtney Stevens as this year’s keynote speaker,” Newberry said.  “A fantastic writer and dynamic teacher, she grew up in the rural South and understands the complexities that young writers face as both artists and individuals.”        

The $20 registration fee for the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. conference includes lunch and a t-shirt.  The conference is designed for rising ninth graders in high school through seniors in college.

ABAC students don’t have to pay the $20 fee but they do have to register for the conference.  Registration can be accomplished at http://tiny.cc/abacywc2019.

Stevens’ website describes the writer as a former adjunct professor, youth minister, and Olympic torchbearer.  She has a pet whale named Herman, a bandsaw named Rex, and writes coming-of-truth fiction.

A bookseller at Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tenn., Stevens visits schools, designs retreats, and teaches workshops on marketing, revision, character development, and “Channeling Your Brave.”