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Book Festivals, Author Signings, and Writing Workshops
I'm currently scheduling author visits to schools, libraries, and book clubs. I offer programs for middle school and high school students, as well as writing workshops for adults. Email me for rates and further information.
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My debut novel, Pandemic, foreshadowed many of today’s current Covid-19 events and makes for relevant class discussion. Topics include story inspiration, the research process, revision techniques, and how my characters triumph in difficult times.
Educator guides for both my young adult novels (aligned with Common Core standards) can be downloaded for free.
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I have hosted author visits (in-person and virtual) in the past for my Young Adult Literature course, and rarely has an hour flown by as quickly as it did with Yvonne Ventresca. She was engaging and thoughtful from minute one to minute sixty, and charmed us with her clarity and her candor even when considering the most challenging questions. Her anecdotes were witty and fascinating, from the minute details of cover design to the complexities of editor-suggested revisions. Her presentation appealed to the reader in my students and the writers among them. Pandemic was my students’ favorite novel this semester, and after this visit, Yvonne Ventresca is now their favorite author. Jim Nicosia, PhD, Professor at Montclair State University | ||||||
Having Yvonne zoom with my students to talk about her book, Pandemic, was an enriching and exciting experience. Meeting a living author who has published such a timely piece of writing made English class come alive. Yvonne is a creative and engaging author, and we are so grateful she took the time to visit with us. Maggie Stanczak, English Teacher, Indian Hills High School
Upcoming Appearances
November 6-9, 2025
Writing Through Trauma & Grief to Empower Readers: A Retreat for Storytellers
Join this writing retreat designed for authors who are crafting books for kids and teens that center on their lived experiences in trauma, mental health, grief, and beyond.
Highlights Foundation in conjuction with Rebecca Dykes Writers.
Honesdale, Pennsylvania
Writing Through Trauma & Grief to Empower Readers: A Retreat for Storytellers
Join this writing retreat designed for authors who are crafting books for kids and teens that center on their lived experiences in trauma, mental health, grief, and beyond.
Highlights Foundation in conjuction with Rebecca Dykes Writers.
Honesdale, Pennsylvania
Recent Appearances
April 30, Wednesday
Teen Arts Festival, Book Garden
BE A POETRY MAGNET with Yvonne Ventresca: Build bold, weird, beautiful poems from the chaos of a pile of words. No rules. Just your astonishingly magnetic voice.
Flemington, NJ
Teen Arts Festival, Book Garden
BE A POETRY MAGNET with Yvonne Ventresca: Build bold, weird, beautiful poems from the chaos of a pile of words. No rules. Just your astonishingly magnetic voice.
Flemington, NJ
March 29, 2025, Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm
Poughkeepsie Book Festival
Book festival and author signing
Poughkeepsie, New York
Poughkeepsie Book Festival
Book festival and author signing
Poughkeepsie, New York
February 22, 2025, 5:00 PM EST
Increasing Suspense and Tension in Your Writing
Free virtual workshop through the Fremont Area Writers, California.
Increasing Suspense and Tension in Your Writing
Free virtual workshop through the Fremont Area Writers, California.
November 25, 2024, 7:00 PM
Keep the Pages Turning: Maximizing Suspense in Your Novel
Virtual workshop through the Orange County Library
Free and open to the public.
Keep the Pages Turning: Maximizing Suspense in Your Novel
Virtual workshop through the Orange County Library
Free and open to the public.
September 23, 2024, 7:30 PM
Vermont College of Fine Arts
Craft Connections: Short Stories
Virtual event for VCFA alumni.
Vermont College of Fine Arts
Craft Connections: Short Stories
Virtual event for VCFA alumni.
July 26 and July 27, 2024
Get Your Writing Published: The Texas Writing Workshop
Yvonne's Two Online Workshops: Keep the Pages Turning: Maximizing Suspense in Your Novel and Revision Tools and Techniques
Get Your Writing Published: The Texas Writing Workshop
Yvonne's Two Online Workshops: Keep the Pages Turning: Maximizing Suspense in Your Novel and Revision Tools and Techniques
June 22, 2024
NJ SCBWI Annual Conference
Deep POV Workshop and author panelist
Montclair, NJ
NJ SCBWI Annual Conference
Deep POV Workshop and author panelist
Montclair, NJ
May 21, 2024
Panel: So You Want Be a Writer
Plainfield Library
Plainfield, NJ
Panel: So You Want Be a Writer
Plainfield Library
Plainfield, NJ
May 1, 2024
Book club discussion of Pandemic with the Cover Girls Book Club
Fanwood, NJ
Book club discussion of Pandemic with the Cover Girls Book Club
Fanwood, NJ
April 27, 2024
Get Your Writing Published: The 2024 Philadelphia Writing Workshop
Yvonne's Two Workshops: Keep the Pages Turning: Maximizing Suspense in Your Novel and Revision Tools and Techniques
Philadelphia, PA
Get Your Writing Published: The 2024 Philadelphia Writing Workshop
Yvonne's Two Workshops: Keep the Pages Turning: Maximizing Suspense in Your Novel and Revision Tools and Techniques
Philadelphia, PA
April 11-14, 2024
Writing Through Trauma to Empower Readers
Facilitator
Highlights Foundation, Honesdale, PA
Writing Through Trauma to Empower Readers
Facilitator
Highlights Foundation, Honesdale, PA
March 23, 2024, Saturday
Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference
Book signing and workshop: Deepening POV for Emotional Impact
Robbinsville, NJ
Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference
Book signing and workshop: Deepening POV for Emotional Impact
Robbinsville, NJ
November 29, 2023, Wednesday, 7 to 9 PM
NJ SCBWI Fall Virtual Workshop Series
Improve Your Writing Process: Productivity for Creative People
Yvonne distills practical and pivotal productivity research through the writer’s lens. This workshop offers actionable insights for applying productivity strategies to artistic efforts. Learn about developing a routine, planning your optimal week, improving focus, and using organizational tips and tools, all with the goal of making your creative life easier. Spend two hours in this workshop, gain back twenty.*
*Estimated using non-patented productivity math. Results may vary.
NJ SCBWI Fall Virtual Workshop Series
Improve Your Writing Process: Productivity for Creative People
Yvonne distills practical and pivotal productivity research through the writer’s lens. This workshop offers actionable insights for applying productivity strategies to artistic efforts. Learn about developing a routine, planning your optimal week, improving focus, and using organizational tips and tools, all with the goal of making your creative life easier. Spend two hours in this workshop, gain back twenty.*
*Estimated using non-patented productivity math. Results may vary.
June 17, 2023
NJ SCBWI Annual Conference
Author panel and teaching workshops about Revision, Second-Person Point of View, and Novels in Verse.
Montclair, NJ
NJ SCBWI Annual Conference
Author panel and teaching workshops about Revision, Second-Person Point of View, and Novels in Verse.
Montclair, NJ
April 1, 2023
Poughkeepsie Book Festival
Book festival and author signing
Poughkeepsie, NY
Poughkeepsie Book Festival
Book festival and author signing
Poughkeepsie, NY
March 13, 2023
Hoboken Book Club
Black Flowers, White Lies Book Discussion
Symposia Bookstore, Hoboken, NJ
Hoboken Book Club
Black Flowers, White Lies Book Discussion
Symposia Bookstore, Hoboken, NJ
March 1, 2023
Chatham Day School
Author visit
Chatham, NJ
Chatham Day School
Author visit
Chatham, NJ
October 23, 2022, Sunday
New Providence Memorial Library
YA Author Talk at 2 pm with Maryanne Woods and Erica George.
New Providence Memorial Library
YA Author Talk at 2 pm with Maryanne Woods and Erica George.
October 1, 2022, Saturday
Collingswood Book Festival
Book festival and author signing from 10 am to 4 pm.
Panel discussion at 1 pm with Donna Gephart and Eric Smith.
Collingswood, NJ
Collingswood Book Festival
Book festival and author signing from 10 am to 4 pm.
Panel discussion at 1 pm with Donna Gephart and Eric Smith.
Collingswood, NJ
April 26, 2022
Hofstra University
Author visit with class on writing for children.
Uniondale, NY
Hofstra University
Author visit with class on writing for children.
Uniondale, NY
April 2, 2022
Poughkeepsie Book Festival
Book festival and author signing
Poughkeepsie High School, NY
Poughkeepsie Book Festival
Book festival and author signing
Poughkeepsie High School, NY
March 11-13, 2022
MD/DE/WV SCBWI Annual Conference
Workshop: Deepening POV for Emotional Impact
Panel: Paths to Publication (Virtual)
MD/DE/WV SCBWI Annual Conference
Workshop: Deepening POV for Emotional Impact
Panel: Paths to Publication (Virtual)
February 18, 2022
Amelia Island Book Festival's Authors in Schools Literacy Program
School visit and author signing at Yulee High School.
Amelia Island, FL
Amelia Island Book Festival's Authors in Schools Literacy Program
School visit and author signing at Yulee High School.
Amelia Island, FL
November 21, 2021, Sunday
RWA's Day of YA
Online workshop: Deepening POV for Emotional Impact
RWA's Day of YA
Online workshop: Deepening POV for Emotional Impact
October 2, 2021, Saturday
Collingswood Book Festival
Book festival, author signing, panel discussion.
Collingswood, NJ
Collingswood Book Festival
Book festival, author signing, panel discussion.
Collingswood, NJ
February 14, 2020, Friday
Amelia Island Book Festival's Authors in Schools Literacy Program
School visit and author signing at West Nassau High School.
Amelia Island, FL
Amelia Island Book Festival's Authors in Schools Literacy Program
School visit and author signing at West Nassau High School.
Amelia Island, FL
January 29, 2020, Wednesday, 6 PM to 8 PM
NJ SCBWI Social: Network with other children's writers as we make vision boards and plan for a productive 2020.
Library of the Chathams, Chatham, NJ
NJ SCBWI Social: Network with other children's writers as we make vision boards and plan for a productive 2020.
Library of the Chathams, Chatham, NJ
December 9, 2019, Monday
NJ Association of School Librarians Conference
Book Signing at Authors Alley.
New Brunswick, NJ
NJ Association of School Librarians Conference
Book Signing at Authors Alley.
New Brunswick, NJ
December 7, 2019, Saturday, Noon to 4 PM
NJ SCBWI "Calm Before the Storm Critique and Wellness Event"
Providing 10-minute critiques throughout the day.
Wyckoff Library, Wyckoff NJ
NJ SCBWI "Calm Before the Storm Critique and Wellness Event"
Providing 10-minute critiques throughout the day.
Wyckoff Library, Wyckoff NJ
September 26, 2019, Thursday, 6:30 PM
CMS Book Fair
Author signing
Chatham, NJ
CMS Book Fair
Author signing
Chatham, NJ
August 10, 2019, Saturday, 11 AM
Liberty States Fiction Writers
Presenting a workshop on "How to Deepen POV for Emotional Impact"
Edison, NJ
Liberty States Fiction Writers
Presenting a workshop on "How to Deepen POV for Emotional Impact"
Edison, NJ
June 1 and 2, 2019, Saturday and Sunday
NJ SCBWI Annual Conference
Presenting two workshops for writers: "Means to an End: Compelling Chapter Endings" and "Descending into Character: How to Deepen POV for Emotional Impact."
New Brunswick, NJ
NJ SCBWI Annual Conference
Presenting two workshops for writers: "Means to an End: Compelling Chapter Endings" and "Descending into Character: How to Deepen POV for Emotional Impact."
New Brunswick, NJ
May 18, 2019, Saturday
Maine Romance Writers Annual Retreat
Presenting "Keep the Pages Turning: Maximizing Suspense in Your Novel"
Portland, ME
Maine Romance Writers Annual Retreat
Presenting "Keep the Pages Turning: Maximizing Suspense in Your Novel"
Portland, ME
May 4, 2019, Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm
Hudson Children's Book Festival
Book festival and author signing.
Hudson, NY
Hudson Children's Book Festival
Book festival and author signing.
Hudson, NY
March 30-31, 2019, Saturday and Sunday
Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference
Presenting "Tech Tips and Tricks for Writers" Workshop and "The Power of Secrets." Book fair open to the public at 4:30 on Saturday.
Iselin, NJ
Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference
Presenting "Tech Tips and Tricks for Writers" Workshop and "The Power of Secrets." Book fair open to the public at 4:30 on Saturday.
Iselin, NJ
February 14-16, 2019
Amelia Island Book Festival's Authors in Schools Literacy Program
School visit and author signing at Yulee High School.
Amelia Island, FL
Amelia Island Book Festival's Authors in Schools Literacy Program
School visit and author signing at Yulee High School.
Amelia Island, FL
I didn't get any good book photos, so please enjoy this pic of Reindeer Luna instead.
December 11, 2018, Tuesday, 5:30 pm
CMS Book Fair
Author signing.
Chatham, NJ
CMS Book Fair
Author signing.
Chatham, NJ
December 2, 2018, Sunday
NJ Association of School Librarians Conference
Book Signing at Authors Alley.
Long Branch, NJ
NJ Association of School Librarians Conference
Book Signing at Authors Alley.
Long Branch, NJ
November 17, 2018, Saturday
New England SCBWI: A Day of Craft
Presenting "Keep the Pages Turning" workshop about building suspense.
Mark Twain House, Hartford, CT
New England SCBWI: A Day of Craft
Presenting "Keep the Pages Turning" workshop about building suspense.
Mark Twain House, Hartford, CT
November 10, 2018, Saturday
NJ SCBWI Fall Craft Weekend
Presenting "The Top Secret Power of Secrets" workshop about using character secrets to increase tension in a manuscript.
Princeton, NJ
NJ SCBWI Fall Craft Weekend
Presenting "The Top Secret Power of Secrets" workshop about using character secrets to increase tension in a manuscript.
Princeton, NJ
October 6, 2018, Saturday
Collingswood Book Festival
Book festival and author signing.
Collingswood, NJ
Collingswood Book Festival
Book festival and author signing.
Collingswood, NJ
September 22, 2018, Saturday
Sisters in Crime Central NJ
Keep the Pages Turning Workshop.
Jamesburg, NJ
Sisters in Crime Central NJ
Keep the Pages Turning Workshop.
Jamesburg, NJ
June 5, 2018, Tuesday
NJ Association of Library Assistants Conference
Author panel and signing.
Mercer County Community College, NJ
NJ Association of Library Assistants Conference
Author panel and signing.
Mercer County Community College, NJ
May 16, 2018
Somerset Teen Arts Festival
Presenting workshops on revision and building suspense.
Raritan College, NJ
Somerset Teen Arts Festival
Presenting workshops on revision and building suspense.
Raritan College, NJ
May 5, 2018, Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm
Hudson Children's Book Festival
Book festival and author signing.
Hudson, NY
Hudson Children's Book Festival
Book festival and author signing.
Hudson, NY
April 3, 2018, Tuesday, 7 pm to 8:30 pm
NJAN Author Panel: "I've finished my first draft, now what?"
Raritan Valley Community College, NJ
NJAN Author Panel: "I've finished my first draft, now what?"
Raritan Valley Community College, NJ
March 24-25, 2018, Saturday and Sunday
Liberty State Fiction Writers Conference
Presenting "Keep the Pages Turning" Workshop and "Writing YA Fiction" Information Session.
Book fair open to the public at 4:30 on Saturday.
Iselin, NJ
Liberty State Fiction Writers Conference
Presenting "Keep the Pages Turning" Workshop and "Writing YA Fiction" Information Session.
Book fair open to the public at 4:30 on Saturday.
Iselin, NJ
March 20, 2018, Tuesday, 7 pm
NYC Teen Author Festival: Hoboken Event
Author panel and signing at Little City Books
Hoboken, NJ
NYC Teen Author Festival: Hoboken Event
Author panel and signing at Little City Books
Hoboken, NJ
Photo by Jon Braun
January 13, 2018, Saturday
Burlington County Library YA Authorfest
Burlington County Library, NJ
Burlington County Library YA Authorfest
Burlington County Library, NJ