Following Saturday’s Lit Crawl event, we’d like to share a few reflections. First of all, congratulations to the Creative Youth Collective authors who shared their work. We are very proud of you! A heartfelt thanks as well to all who came out to support.
Our authors in action—wowing the crowd with their brilliant responses to the Q&A! From left to right, Millie, Raya, Kajsa, Daria, and Amruth.
It was wonderful to hear excerpts of new work. It was equally exciting to listen to our writers respond so eloquently to the audience’s questions. Insights abounded, but what perhaps struck us most was their collective response to the deceptively simple question: “Why do you write?”
Although each author had their own take, a shared sentiment quickly emerged: we write because it is an intrinsic part of who we are. The products of a writing practice, however important, were not presented as the only thing of value. For these young authors, creative writing is part of a more existential process: becoming who they are.
It is almost a cliché to point out that our youth are the future. But during the Q&A, it became clear that this diverse group of writers shared an awareness that writing is a future-directed in the most personal of ways. We write not only for ourselves; we also write ourselves: each new creative work is an act of self-creation, of authoring and authorizing a novel form of agency. And against the backdrop of a culture that—at least we are told—increasingly values superficially performative gestures, their responses struck an especially resonant note of hope. Bravo!
Nine new CYC books are joining the International Library of Young Authors!
We are also happy to announce that there will be another opportunity to celebrate creativity during this season of lengthening nights. Please join us on Saturday, November 7, from 3:30–5:00 p.m., as we celebrate nine CYC books being inducted into the International Library of Young Authors. The library brings together writing by young people ages 6–18 from around the world. These nine additions will bring the number of CYC books in the library’s permanent collection to 32.
Librarian Jade Howe will officially induct the books, then host a hands-on workshop for attendees. CYC members, alumni, families, and those interested in learning more about the program are warmly invited to attend and participate. We’ll offer a glimpse at our newly published titles in our next newsletter—so stay tuned.
We hope you’ll join us to mark this milestone for our young authors next week!
Take care,
Kathryn & Joshua