2026 Festival of Faith and Writing: Full Schedule

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2:30pm EDT

Thursday April 16, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT

In conversation, authors Dana VanderLugt and Kate Albus explore the craft of writing historical fiction for young readers, reflecting on the interplay of research and imagination, the power of storytelling to recover the past, and the ways stories can invite young readers to see themselves within the larger human story.

Book signing follows in the Spoelhof Atrium

Speakers

Kate Albus

Kate Albus writes historical fiction for young readers. Her novels A Place to Hang the Moon and Nothing Else But Miracles have been recognized by the NY Public Library, Kids Indie Next, SCBWI, Bank Street College of Education, JLG, CCBC, the ALA's Association for Library Service to Children, and state reading lists around the country. Kate lives with her family in rural Maryland... Read More →

Dana VanderLugt

Dana VanderLugt descends from a family of apple growers and storytellers. Her debut novel in verse, Enemies in the Orchard, is inspired by German POWs who worked on her family orchard during WWII. A former English teacher, she now works as a literacy consultant in Michigan, where she lives with her husband, sons, and spoiled golden retriever. And yes, she makes a mean apple pie... Read More →

Thursday April 16, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT
Gezon Auditorium

Concurrent Session, Conversation

4:00pm EDT

Writing in Place

Thursday April 16, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Gezon Auditorium

In a world where we are increasingly pressured to write and compete for a global audience, what does it mean to write and create IN place and FOR place in all its particularities? Opelt explores how place and embodied community shapes our writing, and how we, in turn, shape place and community with our words.

Book signing follows in the Spoelhof Atrium

Speakers

Amanda Held Opelt

Amanda Held Opelt is a speaker, songwriter, and author of the books Holy Unhappiness and A Hole in the World, which was selected by Publisher's Weekly as one of the best books of 2022. Amanda spent 15 years serving in the non-profit and humanitarian aid sectors. She lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina with her husband and two young daughters... Read More →

Thursday April 16, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Gezon Auditorium

Concurrent Session, Solo Session

2026 Festival of Faith and Writing

2:30pm EDT

Kate Albus

Dana VanderLugt

4:00pm EDT

Amanda Held Opelt

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