I Write Short Stories by Kids for Kids Volume 16, is an Anthology featuring the works of 150 kid authors and illustrators.
See a list of all of the winners here.
16th Annual iWRITE Book Signing & Literacy Festival
Presenting Festival Sponsor
Official Publishing Contest Sponsor
Welcome to the 16th Annual iWRITE Book Signing & Literacy Festival!
Join us for a family fun day as we celebrate our 2025 young published Authors & Illustrators! Enjoy Games, receive FREE Children’s Books, meet Superheroes, and even enter the Superhero Costume Contest! Meet our “i” The Guy mascot and enjoy food and drinks from local restaurants!
This event is FREE and open to the public. Food and drink will be available for sale.
Festival Activities
Scavenger Hunt
Kids who visit each of the designated scavenger hunt booths will receive a FREE Children’s Book!
Author & Illustrator Book Signing
iWRITE’s 150 kids authors and illustrators will be autographing their hot-off the press books alongside some of Houston’s favorite local children’s authors!
Photo Opportunities with Superheroes and Mascots!
Special appearances from Spiderman, Black Panther, Ghost Spider, “i” The Guy, H-E-B Buddy and more!
Comics & Illustrations with Illustrator, Ryan Shaw
Get a chance to meet “i” The Guy Illustrator, Ryan Shaw, and get a comic-style picture drawn. Take home a How-to-Create-Your-Own-Comic worksheet and bring out your inner artist.
Creative Writing Activity Station
Work on Story and Character Creation with the Pros from iWRITE all day! You will even get to take home story boards, comic sheets, and tools to continue your love for writing and using your imagination at home.
Texas History Mini Museums
Hands on History comes to life through The Bryan Museum’s Goodnight Loving Trail Box and Tejanos of Revolutionary Texas Box. Touchable Artifacts, Activities, Maps, Artwork, and a few surprises to show how exciting history can be!
Curiosity Cruiser
Curiosity Cruiser is a state-of-the-art mobile library fleet that provides Houston children access to books and exciting educational programs integrating reading with science, math, technology, writing, and the arts. Presented by Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation
Mini Zine Making & Friendship Bracelets
Create your own mini Zine activity with the iWRITE Youth Club members and create a friendship bracelet with the Alumni Association members. Learn more about each club and how to join.
Robot Mice & Cubelets
Young kids can learn the basics of coding and programming with Robot Mice & Cubelets. They can learn to design a game as they place obstacles throughout the mat and try to lead the mouse safely to his cheese. Cubelets make the principles of programming easy to learn and practice – as you build your robot you build the code that controls its behavior. It’s hands-on coding! Presented by Houston Public Library
Face Painting, Inflatable Games and Obstacle Courses, Balloon Art, Free Books, and More!
SUPERHERO COSTUME CONTEST
PRESENTED BY
Kids are encouraged to dress up in superhero-themed character costumes for a chance to win prizes!
FESTIVAL MAP
Times and locations are subject to change
Featured iWRITE Kid Author
Sierra Thompson is a very talented young author and illustrator. Sierra won a publishing contract in 2024 from iWRITE Kids Publishing. She will be debuting her new book at the Literacy Festival. Be sure to check out her book release on the outdoor stage!
Editor’s Choice Winners
To be announced!
Local Author Reading Corner & Book Signings
Presented by ExxonMobil and SheSpace
Festival Day Information
The iWRITE Book Signing & Literacy Festival is a rain-or-shine event unless otherwise corresponded.
Parking
Free on-site parking is available at Evelyn’s Park and across the street in the Bellaire United Methodist Church Parking Lot.
Stage Schedule
| 12 PM | Welcome | Outdoor Park |
| 1 PM | Featured iWRITE Author Reading | Outdoor Stage |
| 1:15 PM | Editor’s Choice Readings Begin | Outdoor Stage |
| 1:30 PM | Intermission | Outdoor Stage |
| 2 PM | Author Panel presented by H-E-B | Outdoor Stage |
| 2:30 PM | iWRITE Author Readings | Outdoor Stage |
| 3:30 PM | Costume Contest Winner Announced | Outdoor Stage |
Children’s Author Reading Corner
| 12:30 PM | Joy Saxton “Joy Goes to Mexico” | Children’s Corner |
| 1:30 PM | Joy Sewing “Ava and the Prince” | Children’s Corner |
| 12 PM-1 PM | Last Names (A-J) | Signing Circle |
| 1:30-2:30 PM | Last Names (K-R) | Signing Circle |
| 3 PM – 4 PM | Last Names (S-Z) | Signing Circle |
**Times subject to change**Times subject to change
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Community Partners
Houston Public Library | Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation | Ryan Shaw
About iWRITE
Our mission at iWRITE is to build student confidence through writing. We know that through writing kids become more creative and confident which can lead to opportunities they may have not had before.
Every day, we see students struggle with writing confidence. In iWRITE’s home community of Houston and its online community across the U.S., these students are living in some of the country’s most underserved neighborhoods. In addition, they’re faced with a standardized education that offers limited opportunities for individual growth. Writing skills are critical for any student to conquer their frustrations and discover success in any subject.
Since 2009, iWRITE has developed curriculums that build student confidence and spark students’ imaginations. With creative writing/illustration workshops, “i” The Guy workbook program, and publishing opportunities, students move beyond the standardized classroom, learn to express their ideas, and discover their voices.
