Young Authors Fiction Festival 2020 (YAFF)—Deadline 1 April
The Library invites authors ages 5-18 in the Paris area to sharpen their pencils (or put their fingers to the keyboard) and submit an original story to the Young Authors Fiction Festival.
YAFF is a writing initiative that aims to strengthen community among young English speakers through the art and craft of storytelling. The Festival is free to enter and open to all students ages 5-18 in the greater Paris area who write in English. Judges will select the top five stories in each grade, which will then be published in our Celebration Booklets.
The deadline for YAFF submissions is 1 April 2020 at 22h00. See the website for submission guidelines. When you are ready to enter, visit the YAFF webpage, select your grade, complete the submission form, and upload your story.
As we negotiate the COVID-19 pandemic together, we believe that it is more important than ever to provide outlets for creativity and self-expression to the youngest members of our community. We look forward to receiving your submissions. Happy writing!
COVID-19 UPDATE
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, and in accordance with official directives, the Library is closed until further notice. Our first priority is to protect our community, and this includes implementing a strict work-from-home policy for our staff.
We know that this is an uncertain and daunting time for everyone, whether you live in France or abroad. We encourage all of our members under home confinement to protect both their physical and mental well-being and use this period as a time for reading, reflection, and intellectual exploration. Book loan periods will be extended until the Library reopens, and fines accrued during the closure will be excused. Please take care of your loved ones and take comfort in books, and we will provide electronic resources that allow you to explore the world from the safety of your home.
We have a plethora of eResources available to members via our website, including:
- Free access to the digital New York Times.
- The latest magazines, literary journals, eBooks (both fiction and non-fiction) and more via our electronic databases. For questions about accessing our electronic resources, please email info@amerianlibraryinparis.org.
- Lists of great online resources for kids and teens.
- Virtual Story Hours and other programs for kids and teens. Visit our online program calendar for dates, times, and login details. For questions about virtual programming for kids and teens, please email celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.
- And check out our new podcast, Evenings with an Author, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Click HERE for the latest news on our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lending for 100 years
The American Library in Paris was established in 1920 under the auspices of the American Library Association and the Library of Congress, with a core collection donated by American libraries to United States armed forces serving their allies in World War I. One hundred years later we are the largest English-language lending library on the European continent.
The Library’s 5,000 members hail from 60 countries and enjoy access to 100,000 books, current and historical periodicals, and digital resources. Its signature programming includes children’s and teen activities, evening speakers, and book groups.
Please join us in 2020 as we celebrate our past and build our future.
If you would like to know more about our history, please visit our interactive timeline.
The American Library in Paris has been lending since 1920. Help sustain this vital institution in its 100th year of service by donating today.
Upcoming Events
List of Events
[POSTPONED to 24 November 2020] Partner Event: Word for Word 2020 at Théâtre Le Ranelagh (Paris 16)
Photo by Lorenzo Fernandez-Kopek; L-R: Brady Morales-Woolery, Gendell Hernández, Edie Flores, Maria Calendaria. Please note that this event is off site, at Théâtre Le Ranelagh (5…
Young Authors Fiction Festival Submission Deadline
Deadline for the Library's 2020 Young Authors Fiction Festival is 1 April 2020 by 22h00. All submissions to be made on the Library's YAFF Page. …
[CANCELLED] Writing Workshop with Mimi Zollars-Sapparrart
Poetry Workshop Instructions: Please bring TWELVE copies (to pass out) of one or two original poems, no more than one page each, or a single, double-spaced…
[CANCELLED] Evenings with an Author: Tony Maniaty, I Found It at the Movies
Tony Maniaty will speak about the influence of parallel careers in journalism, authorship, photography and screenwriting in shaping his identity - and the critical impact…
[CANCELLED] Evenings with an Author: William Middleton, Double Vision
William Middleton's Double Vision is the first and definitive biography of the maverick collectors, patrons, and civil rights activists Dominique and John de Menil. During World…
[CANCELLED] Writing Workshop with Anna Elkins- Poetry
This blend of a poetry reading & workshop delves into the process of writing. Just as the poetry collection Hope of Stones invites you into…
[CANCELLED] Evenings with an Author: Mamta Chaudhry
Mamta Chaudhry’s debut novel, Haunting Paris, is set in Paris in 1989. Alone in her luminous apartment on Île Saint-Louis, Sylvie discovers a mysterious letter…
Evenings with an Author: Rowan Williams in Conversation with Greg Garrett
In Conversation: Rowan Williams and Greg Garrett is a book-length series of conversations between longtime friends about family, faith and spiritual practice, politics, literature and culture,…
From the Library Blog
Writing tips and tricks: Get your story ready for the Young Authors Fiction Festival
It’s creative writing season again! The Library encourages young authors ages 5-18 to sharpen their pencils (or put their fingers to the keyboard) and submit an […]
Stay connected during Library closure
Dear Library supporter and friend, In accordance with official recommendations concerning libraries and cultural institutions, the American Library in Paris is closed until further notice. All our online […]
Library closure
In accordance with official recommendations concerning libraries and cultural institutions, the American Library is closed until further notice. All our online resources remain available to members. […]