Events & Appearances with Rob Costello

Instagram Live w/ the Highlights Foundation: Book Birthday Celebration for WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT
May
21

Instagram Live w/ the Highlights Foundation: Book Birthday Celebration for WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT

Join contributing editor Rob Costello and anthology contributors Jonathan Lenore Kastin and Alexandra Villasante in conversation with Cat Galeano of the Highlights Foundation as they discuss their new YA anthology, We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures.

Instagram LIVE at The Highlights Foundation

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R(ev)ise & Shine! Presents: WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT Online Launch Celebration
May
22

R(ev)ise & Shine! Presents: WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT Online Launch Celebration

Join editor Rob Costello and contributors Shae Carys, H.E. Edgmon, Michael Thomas Ford, Val Howlett, Sarah Maxfield, and Merc Fenn Wolfmoor as they celebrate the launch of We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Takes of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures.

Bring your own questions and join us for a fun & lively conversation!

Tickets are FREE. Reserve your spot here!

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Book Talk: WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT w/ Jonathan Lenore Kastin & Rob Costello
Jun
3

Book Talk: WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT w/ Jonathan Lenore Kastin & Rob Costello

Be not afraid! We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures is a cross-genre YA anthology exploring what it means to be a monster with queer perspectives on classic monster stories and tropes!

Join its creators, local author Jonathan Lenore Kastin & anthology editor Rob Costello, for selected readings from the anthology, followed by a Q&A and book signing.

Register on our events calendar to attend: millicentlibrary.org/events

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In Conversation: WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT w/ Kalynn Bayron, Rob Costello, & Special Guest—Amber Smith
Jun
5

In Conversation: WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT w/ Kalynn Bayron, Rob Costello, & Special Guest—Amber Smith

Be not afraid! We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures is a cross-genre YA anthology exploring what it means to be a monster with queer perspectives on classic monster stories and tropes!

Join its creators, local authors Kalynn Bayron & anthology editor Rob Costello, as well as special guest Amber Smith, for a conversation and book signing.

Find out more on the Buffalo Street Books events page.

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Night #1: Writing With Pride: A Two -Night Online Mini for Young Adult Horror Writers
Jun
11

Night #1: Writing With Pride: A Two -Night Online Mini for Young Adult Horror Writers

A Two-Night Mini Online Course:

Young adult readers love horror novels–they are safe spaces to explore humanity’s fears. For many queer and questioning readers, YA horror is a safe space for much more.

Join young adult authors Anna-Marie McLemore and Rob Costello for this short course for writers looking to create space in their horror and fantastical books for queer and questioning teens.

This program will draw on a rainbow of examples and experiences, and is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions with information, plus time to capture your own ideas and ask questions.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)

Thursday, June 13, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)

Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat

Recordings available until July 31, 2024

Click here to find out more and register!

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Night #2: Writing With Pride: A Two -Night Online Mini for Young Adult Horror Writers
Jun
13

Night #2: Writing With Pride: A Two -Night Online Mini for Young Adult Horror Writers

A Two-Night Mini Online Course:

Young adult readers love horror novels–they are safe spaces to explore humanity’s fears. For many queer and questioning readers, YA horror is a safe space for much more.

Join young adult authors Anna-Marie McLemore and Rob Costello for this short course for writers looking to create space in their horror and fantastical books for queer and questioning teens.

This program will draw on a rainbow of examples and experiences, and is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions with information, plus time to capture your own ideas and ask questions.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)

Thursday, June 13, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)

Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat

Recordings available until July 31, 2024

Click here to find out more and register!

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Readercon 2024
Jul
11
to Jul 14

Readercon 2024

Rob Costello will attend Readercon 33 to participate in the Lethe Press reading and book signing to promote his short story collection The Dancing Bears: Queer Fables for the End Times. A limited number of copies of We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures will also be available for sale/signing.

Details TBA

Click here to find out more about Readercon.

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Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (August 2024)
Aug
14
to Aug 19

Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (August 2024)

This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in an intimate setting makes this program one that guarantees significant progress in preparation for submission.

OVERVIEW:

In-person 6-Day/5-Night Workshop and Retreat with a Full Novel Critique Included

This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in an intimate setting makes this program one that guarantees significant progress in preparation for submission. This Whole Novel Workshop is specifically designed for writers of novels for children and teens.

  • Apply on or before May 15 (with final notifications on or before May 31)

  • Optional online pre-retreat activities (via Zoom): June & July (2 evenings, dates/times TBD)

  • Complete manuscript submissions due by July 1

  • Feedback letters delivered to writers by August 10

  • 45-minute, 1:1 Private Zoom Consultation prior to the retreat: Scheduled at a mutually convenient time, August 10 – 14

  • The cost of the full course (including retreat + pre-retreat zooms, feedback letter, 1:1 consultations, lectures, and writing exercises) is $2,799.

  • The in-person workshop at our Retreat Center includes inspirational sessions and opportunities for time in the company of fellow creatives.

    • Begins with dinner 5:30pm Eastern on Wednesday, August 14

    • Ends with lunch at 11:45am Eastern on Monday, August 19

    • We include ample time to relax, retreat, and work on your revisions.

    • Lodging and meals are included at the retreat.

  • 16 participants max

Faculty include: Sarah Aronson, Diana Ma, Nancy Werlin, Janae Marks, Rob Costello, I.W. Gregorio, Crystal Allen, Nicole Valentine, & Alicia D. Williams.

Click here to find out more and apply now.

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The R(ev)ise and Shine! Residency
Aug
31
to Sep 3

The R(ev)ise and Shine! Residency

A Focus on Revision:

The inaugural R(ev)ise and Shine! Residency, will be held August 31 thru September 3, 2024 at the Highlights Foundation in Milanville, PA.

Take advantage of a full schedule of lectures, targeted writing exercises, one-on-one meetings with mentors, face time with an agent, and other group activities. Our special guests will be the amazing agent and author Eric Smith, and the renowned illustrator and artist, James Ransome. All attendees will have their own private room/cabin, and will enjoy gourmet, chef-prepared meals.

A tentative schedule of events, a comprehensive FAQ, and detailed lecture/workshop descriptions are available on our website.

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In Conversation: WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT w/ Alexandra Villasante, Val Howlett, Rob Costello, and Special Guest—Laura Sibson
Oct
16

In Conversation: WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT w/ Alexandra Villasante, Val Howlett, Rob Costello, and Special Guest—Laura Sibson

Join anthology editor Rob Costello, and contributors Val Howlett and Alexandra Villasante in conversation with special guest author Laura Sibson as they discuss the creation of We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures.

Check out the Children’s Book World events page for more details when they become available.

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Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (October 2024)
Oct
17
to Oct 22

Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (October 2024)

This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in an intimate setting makes this program one that guarantees significant progress in preparation for submission.

OVERVIEW:

In-person 6-Day/5-Night Workshop and Retreat with a Full Novel Critique Included

This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in an intimate setting makes this program one that guarantees significant progress in preparation for submission. This Whole Novel Workshop is specifically designed for writers of novels for children and teens.

  • Apply on or before July 31 (with final notifications on or before August 15)

  • Optional online pre-retreat activities (via Zoom): August & September (2 evenings, dates/times TBD)

  • Complete manuscript submissions due by September 7

  • Feedback letters delivered to writers by October 11

  • 45-minute, 1:1 Private Zoom Consultation prior to the retreat: Scheduled at a mutually convenient time, October 13 – 17

  • The cost of the full course (including retreat- lodging, meals, lectures, + pre-retreat zooms, feedback letter, 1:1 consultations, and writing exercises) is $2,799.

  • The in-person workshop at our Retreat Center includes inspirational sessions and opportunities for time in the company of fellow creatives.

    • Begins with dinner 5:30pm Eastern on Thursday, October 17

    • Ends with lunch at 11:45am Eastern on Tuesday, October 22

    • We include ample time to relax, retreat, and work on your revisions.

    • Lodging and meals are included at the retreat.

  • 16 participants max

Faculty include: Erin Entrada Kelly, Jennifer Jacobson, Ernesto Cisneros, Sarah Aronson, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, Alicia D. Williams, Nicole Valentine, & Rob Costello

Click here to find out more and apply now.

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Rainbow Retreat 2024: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers
Oct
31
to Nov 3

Rainbow Retreat 2024: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers

Experience our in-community Rainbow Retreat that warmly welcomes queer and questioning authors and illustrators who are crafting stories for children and teen audiences. Our goal is to provide a lightly structured retreat for you to explore your creativity and share your stories while fostering connections with a diverse and accepting community. Embrace your authentic self, make progress on your stories, and find ways to amplify fellow creatives.

Join this 3-night/4-day, in-community retreat thoughtfully designed to bring LGBTQIA2S+ creatives together. It is an informally structured retreat where the focus is on your own projects with room to celebrate and cultivate the joys of this community!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Experience our in-community Rainbow Retreat that warmly welcomes queer and questioning authors and illustrators who are crafting stories for children and teen audiences. Our goal is to provide a lightly structured retreat for you to explore your creativity and share your stories while fostering connections with a diverse and accepting community. Embrace your authentic self, make progress on your stories, and find ways to amplify fellow creatives.

How It’s Structured

This is a lightly scheduled program with optional/informal group activities (like fireside chats, open mic, and publishing Q & A). There will be an abundance of writing, illustrating, and retreat time; please bring your stories.

Your Hosts include: Alex Gino, Rob Costello, Alexandra Villasante, & A.M. WIld

Click here to apply and find out more about the Rainbow Retreat.

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Spring Writes 2024: Group Reading
May
4

Spring Writes 2024: Group Reading

Join us for a reading with local writers Rob Costello (excerpt from his story collection “The Dancing Bears”), Carson Lopez (a horror flash fiction story), Candy Moore (a story about her childhood), and Aurora Rey (except from her novel “Good Bones”).

This event is part of the Community Arts Partnership's Spring Writes Literary Festival. Visit SpringWrites.org for all SpringWrites events, artist bios, and registration information.

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Writing Queer in an Era of Book Bans
May
2

Writing Queer in an Era of Book Bans

According to PEN America the number of public school book bans across the United States rose by 33 percent in the 2022-23 school year, with nearly 6000 instances of banned books since tracking began in 2021. Upwards of 30% of these bans impact books that feature LGBTQIA+ themes and identities. Yet, despite these rampant bans, the surging sales of LGBTQIA+ titles has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise flagging book market.

In this panel, successful queer young adult authors Rob Costello, Amber Smith, Isabel Sterling and Kalynn Bayron will discuss the impact of the rising climate of censorship and intolerance on their work. They’ll talk about the joys and challenges of writing for a contemporary teen audience, share their own writing journeys, consider the enduring popularity of queer themes among today’s young readers, and celebrate the power and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Click here to register for this event.

This event is part of the Community Arts Partnership's Spring Writes Literary Festival. Visit SpringWrites.org for all SpringWrites events, artist bios, and registration information.

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Rob Costello is available online and in-person for workshops, conferences, festivals, and other events.

To find out more, please fill out the contact form to your right.