Come experience all your favorite Young Authors Academy activities during the school year with Young Authors Academy Express!
Be inspired by authors and instructors, participate in our Authors & Adventures Bash, and build lifelong friendships.
Young Authors Academy Express
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Ages: 13–18
Location: Brigham Young University
Tuition: $89
Registration includes the following:
- T-shirt
- Author book
- Lunch and Snacks
- Attend the Authors & Adventures Bash
Featured Authors
James Dashner
We’re also thrilled to welcome our guest keynote author, James Dashner—internationally bestselling writer of The Maze Runner series, The Mortality Doctrine, and other gripping, high-stakes adventures. Dashner’s books are known for their fast-paced action, twist-filled plotting, and unforgettable characters, making him a favorite among readers of all ages. Hearing from him is sure to spark your imagination and motivate your own storytelling!
James Dashner is the author of the #1 New York Times Bestselling Maze Runner series (movies by Fox/Disney) including The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, The Kill Order, and The Fever Code, and the bestselling Mortality Doctrine series (The Eye of Minds, The Rule of Thoughts, and The Game of Lives). Dashner was born and raised in Georgia, but now lives and writes in the Rocky Mountains with his wife and their four children.
Kenneth A. Baldwin
Step into a world where history meets magic! Our second keynote author will be Kenneth A. Baldwin. Kenny writes stories that blur the boundaries between fact and fantasy, dreams and reality. His Luella Winthrop Trilogy explores a fascinating Victorian era filled with mysterious phenomena, scientific breakthroughs, and secret societies. Kenneth will share how he finds strange real-life stories and turns them into unforgettable fiction—perfect for young writers who love imagination, mystery, and world-building.
Kenneth A. Baldwin writes stories that blur the lines between history, magic, dreams, and reality. He loves finding oddities in history books with unbelievable tales or unexplained phenomena. His first series, The Luella Winthrop Trilogy, takes place during just such a time when late 19th-century Victorians struggled to balance a surge of occultism and never-before-seen scientific advancements.
Before he started writing novels, Kenny paid his way through law school by writing, performing, and teaching humor. You can still catch him on stage or in corners of the Internet that feature sketch and improv comedy. Now, he lives nestled under the Wasatch Mountains with his wonderful wife, sons, and Golden Retriever.
Join us at BYU for a day dedicated to improving your writing! Enjoy the opportunity to hear from well-known authors, attend Writers Block classes of your choice, and connect with fellow young authors. The skills you learn here will improve your writing and allow you to create a community that you can turn to for support and revision!
Schedule
Saturday, February 1, 2025
| 8:00–9:00 a.m. | Check-in |
| 9:00–10:00 a.m. | Morning Keynote |
| 10:00–10:30 a.m. | Conversation—Q&A |
| 10:30–11:45 a.m. | Book signing |
| Noon–12:50 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:00–1:50 p.m. | Writers Block A |
| 2:00–2:50 p.m. | Writers Block B |
| 3:00–3:50 p.m. | Writers Block C |
| 4:00–4:50 p.m. | Keynote Speaker |
| 5:00–6:00 p.m. | Authors & Adventures Bash |
Writers Block Electives
At check-in, you will receive times and locations for each of the classes below. Start planning which classes you would like to attend today! Classes are a first-come, first-serve basis.
Clash of Words: Master how to write an epic fight scene that will leave your readers excited to turn the next page.
Character vs. Plot: Learn to create gripping stories by balancing compelling characters and captivating plots.
Stories that Swoon: Unleash your passion for storytelling as we dive into crafting unforgettable love stories that resonate with readers.
Storytelling Skills: Techniques for engaging an audience through storytelling.
World of Pure Imagination: Explore the limitless realms of fantasy, crafting vivid, original worlds and characters through world-building exercises.
How to Kill off Your Main Character: Learn the art of crafting impactful and surprising character deaths that will leave your readers gripping the edge of their seats.
Timeless Tales: Create enduring stories by blending universal themes, rich characters, and unforgettable settings that resonate across generations.
Wordcraft: Add a dash of literary spice to your storytelling by mastering the art of word choice.
Nightmare Narratives: Learn how to create spine-chilling stories that linger long after the lights go out.
Rhythm & Rhyme: Master how to meter, rhyme, and create rhythm to captivate your reader.
Blueprints of Story: Discover how to outline your stories effectively, ensuring a balanced narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Once Upon a Twist: Reinvent classic fairy tales with unexpected twists, dark reimaginings, or modern spins on familiar happily ever afters.
Camp Info
Tuition
Includes lunch
$89
Registration Information
For registration support, call 877-221-6716 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time, excluding holidays.
For more camp information, please call 801-422-5080.
We cannot reserve program space without full payment. Registration is limited, and no overflow will be offered. We encourage you to register early.
Substitutions and Cancellations
A $50 fee will be assessed for each refund requested. After the start of each camp no refund can be given. Participants will receive a full registration refund if the program is canceled for any reason. However, the university cannot be responsible for any cancellation or change charges assessed by airlines, travel agencies, or other institutions.
Dress and Appearance
Youth are expected to abide by the BYU Dress and Grooming Standards at all camp activities, including meals. The Cannon Center will not allow youth to enter the cafeteria if they are not dressed according to BYU standards. Shorts and skirts that are a few inches above the knee, and swimsuits, are not acceptable in the cafeteria.
Read the detailed dress and appearance standards for young men and young women.
Travel
Parking and Personal Vehicles
We do not encourage you to bring your car to campus. If you need to bring a vehicle or if you need parking on the first day, please park in the visitor lots shown on the campus map or in C lots around the residence hall. You are not allowed to use your car to transport other participants during the camp. Participants staying in the residence halls are required to give their keys to their counselor until Saturday morning.
If you are staying on campus, you are not allowed to go off-campus unless you have a parental release form stating where and with whom you are going and how long you will be gone.
Airport Shuttle
If you are arriving by plane, a commercial shuttle service is available to take you from the Salt Lake International Airport to Provo. Advance reservations are required. Have your flight number and your arrival time ready when you call. Please note that BYU is not affiliated with the shuttle; it is only listed here for your convenience. It is up to each participant to find his or her own transportation to and from BYU.
Express Shuttle 1-800-397-0773
Approximate cost one way: $30 for first person/$14 for each additional person in your party
Online reservations available at expressshuttleutah.com
Driving Instructions
If you are driving to Provo via I-15 southbound or northbound, take the BYU-Orem University Parkway Exit (#269) and head east toward Y Mountain (big Y painted on it).
This street (University Parkway) will take you past University Mall and bring you into Provo.
When the check-in locations have been finalized, we will post detailed driving instructions.
Medical Information/Special Dietary Needs
All camp participants will receive lunch as part of their registration.
Any participant who requires assistance with medical needs should call the office (801-422-7845) one month before the program begins. This will give us time to make special arrangements (dietary, housing, or other). This includes special medical needs such as those for celiac disease (meals for the week), wheelchairs (handicap access), diabetes (refrigerator for insulin), etc.
Before You Arrive
Welcome to the Young Authors Academy online confirmation packet. We are excited that you have chosen to come to BYU to enrich your writing talents.
For more camp information please call 801-422-5370.
