Fees

$8.00 per book, poem or narrative. This fee plus a generous donation from EECU pay the costs of putting on the Faire.
Make checks payable to:

Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Library Services
ATTN: Pinky Torres at thidavone.torres@fcoe.org
 

Coordinator

Schools will choose a coordinator for the event. Teachers may act as coordinators for their school. Schools within a district may choose to have the same coordinator. The coordinator will go to yaf.fcoe.org and request an account. Account information and instructions will be emailed after the account request is approved. The coordinator is responsible for submitting the information (title, author/illustrator(s), and grade) for all student work that is sent to the Young Authors’ Faire and organizing the delivery of the books. Coordinators are also responsible for reviewing all pertinent dates, rules and downloading all necessary forms.

We've put together a video that introduces coordinators to the submission process.

Learn how to submit
 

Student Authors and Illustrators

Participation in Young Authors’ Faire is open to all K-12 students in Fresno County.
 

Submission Types

Schools may submit a maximum of 10 books and designate one submission as their Top Selection. The Top Selection will receive special recognition at the Young Authors’ Faire. Submissions may be fiction or non-fiction. All non-fiction submissions must be properly credited/cited (examples of citation), and all book adaptations must clearly indicate the original book title and author.
 

Elementary K-5 Submissions

K-5 submissions may be written by individuals or as class books. Submissions may be fiction or non-fiction.

• Individual submissions should be no more than 750 words. Longer submissions will be read, but not considered for exemplary recognition.
• Class books will be recognized separately from the individual submissions.
• Books may be written in any language or combination of languages.
• Books must be developed, written, illustrated and edited in their final form by the student author/illustrators. Adults or older children may act as recorders for children unable to do this alone. These young authors will dictate to the recorders who will note the author's original words.
• Books can be in any size, shape or design, and can be made from any non-perishable materials that can withstand the submission and display process. Students may also receive help with binding as needed.
   

Middle School/Junior High Grade 6-8 Submissions

• Submissions can either be in the form of an original poem or 750-word narrative. Longer submissions will be read but not considered for exemplary recognition.
• Narratives can be based on a real or imagined event (Common Core Writing Standard 3). All narratives must be typed using 12-point font or larger and double spaced.
• Poetry may be written in any form that adds merit to the work.
• Illustration is optional in all submissions.
   

NEW CATEGORY!

This year we have a new Health and Wellness category for students K-12. The health and wellness category for student writing covers various topics promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being among students. It includes nutrition, exercise, mental health, stress management, mindfulness, and lifestyle choices. Writing in this category helps students understand their well-being and fosters a culture of wellness in their educational communities. It encourages students to advocate for their health and share insights to create a positive and supportive environment for overall growth and academic success.
 

Elementary, Middle School, and High School Health and Wellness
Submissions

K-5 submissions may be written by individuals or as class books. Submissions may be fiction or
non-fiction.

6-12 Submissions can either be in the form of an original poem or 750-word narrative. Longer
submissions will be read but not considered for exemplary recognition.
 

E-Book Submission Guidelines

• Schools may submit individual student books and class books in an e-book format.
• Currently we can support Book Creator, Google Docs, Google Slides, Seesaw, and Story Jumper.
• Fill out an E-Book Submission page for each e-book and send it with the Master List page when submitting student work.
• All e-books must be viewable from the Internet without signing into a resource.
• E-books may not be edited after the submission deadline.
   

Elements of a good submission

• Written and illustrated by a student or group of students
• The author demonstrates grade level appropriate conventions of Standard English grammar usage
• Illustrations support key ideas or events in the text
• A student could read aloud the book, or a meaningful excerpt thereof, in 2-3 minutes
• The text appeals to and engages the reader
   

Fiction

• Topic is creatively presented
• Book is imaginative or innovative in design
• Story has a clear sequence of events
• Characters are unique and memorable
• Description is well placed and natural
   

Non-Fiction

• Topic is informative/explanatory
• Book is educational or instructive
• Text is well organized, clear and concise
• Information is factually correct
• Sources are cited and appropriate to grade level
   

YAF at Your School

Participating schools engage students in the writing process, build interest in writing and offer students the opportunity to independently author and illustrate books. Students are taught to brainstorm ideas, conduct research into their theme, write, and self-edit their work. A deadline is set for students to submit their written and illustrated book, poems or narratives based on the established guidelines. Once student work is collected, a Comments page is attached to each book, poem or narrative. The student work is read and ten are selected to be displayed at the FCSS Young Authors’ Faire. One book, poem or narrative is selected as the school’s top selection. This process may involve placing all participating work on display at the school site for students, teachers, and parents to view and comment on during an optional site-based Young Authors’ Faire, or the site coordinator may read, make comments, and select the student writing to be sent. Schools also may provide incentives to recognize student participation, noteworthy efforts, and exemplary written and illustrated work. The purpose of Young Authors’ Faire is to celebrate student writing.
 

Delivery of Materials

The coordinator will log into the Young Authors’ Faire website yaf.fcoe.org and enter the names of the books, poems or narratives, and all participating student authors. From the website, the coordinator will print out a Master List of participating students and work. A Pupil Participation Agreement must be sent home with participating students, signed by their parent/guardian, and submitted with the student work. The top selection for the school should be highlighted. What should be contained in the box:

• 10 selected books, poems or narratives
• Pupil Participation Agreements signed by the parent/guardian of all students participating
• A printed Master List with the school top selection highlighted
• Payment for the entries
• A YAF School Mailing Label should be affixed to the outside for shipping.