By Victoria Galan, Miami-Dade Public Library System

More than a hundred teens representing fifty-five different schools from around the County submitted their writing samples and applications for their chance at a spot in Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Young Adult Writer-in-Residence Program. Over the summer, Young Adult author and writer-in-residence Kekla Magoon reviewed the applications and selected the following teens: Catherine Valdez, Jacquelyn Gabrielle Hurtado, Asmae Fahmy, Kylie Rae Wang, Danilo Jose Marin, Dylan Mekhi Etienne-Ramsay, Edwin Colon, Mai Fukata, Lauren M. Mosier, Francine Harris, Millie Rogers, Maylin Enamorado, Rachel T. Nogues, Danielle van der Eijk, Neely Jamese Woodroffe, Briana Marie Fonte, Nicole Garcia, Camila G. Carballo, Natasha Valeria Sealey and Rebecca M. San Juan.

Young Adult author and Writer-in-Residence, Kekla Magoon.

The teens and their parents will have an opportunity to meet Ms. Magoon at a special Meet and Greet event which will be held at the Main Library on Friday, September 7. The twelve week program officially begins on Saturday September 8 and will run through November 17. Each week, Ms. Magoon will meet with the teens to inspire them to express themselves through their writings, will mentor them in the creative writing process and will offer critiques and tips on how to improve their work. For teens not in the program, three writing workshops will be offered.

To find out more about the Young Adult Writer-in-Residence Program, visit www.mdpls.org

The Young Adult Writer-in-Residence Program is made possible by the Knight Foundation and was designed to encourage young adults, who have an interest in creative writing, the opportunity to work alongside a published, young adult author during a three month residency.