On Sept. 26, hundreds of teens flooded St. Edward’s University campus for the seventh annual Texas Teen Book Festival (TTBF). The event hosted 30 authors who spent the day interacting with fans through panels, book signings, and booths.

Teens from far and wide attended TTBF, including students from various cities around Texas and Louisiana, arriving at as early as 8:30 a.m. to buy books and visit booths from both authors and publishers. Attendees could also attend panels, where authors discussed their books, questions about writing, and took audience questions.

“I love being able to interact with teens,” author Venessa Kimball said. “I used to teach at Del Valle Junior High, so it’s great to be able to interact with kids.”

Throughout the day, readers were able to not only attend panels, but get their books signed by their favorite authors. While the lines were long, the teens weren’t fazed, waiting to spend a few short seconds face to face with the authors they love.

“It’s been really inspiring to meet the creators of the books that I love and to be around people who love them as much as I do,” Kate Lee ’19 said.

Overall, TTBF was a great way to spend an afternoon, according to book lovers. The panels were packed with people eager to listen, book signing lines were full of anxious fans, and new books vanished from tables as they were bought.

“I like being in a community of people who share the same passions for literature as I do,” Alisha Rawal ’19 said.

If you’re looking for something to do, the 20th Annual Texas Book Festival will take place Oct. 17 and 18 in and around the capitol. Visit their website for more information.