Otley Bookfest 2026 - Young Adults

Young Adults
Saturday 28 November • Doors 10.30am • Workshop 11am - 1pm
Wesley Hall, Otley Common

Chloe Lawson hosts a morning with three Yorkshire writers and illustrators making books for younger readers. Katja Kaine brings her YA fantasy Blood of Gods and Girls, Salomey Doku her graphic novels, and Ben Rothery his illustrated natural history. Three very different routes into telling a story.

Salomey Doku

Salomey Doku is a self-taught fairytale-loving author-illustrator from Leeds. Originally trained in architecture, in which she worked for over three years, she started watercolour painting in 2018 and quickly fell in love with the art of storytelling. She has illustrated four picture books (two by Sir Lenny Henry) and is the author and illustrator of the Brielle and Bear teen graphic novels, one of which was shortlisted for the Indie Book Awards 2025.

Join Salomey for an interactive Story Time where she will be reading from the best-selling Tyrone picture books. After, take part in some drawing and colouring, draw along with Salomey and then learn to draw your very own Tyrone. This event is perfect for ages 3+. 11am-11:45am.

Join Salomey for an interactive Story Time where she will be reading from the best-selling Tyrone picture books. After, take part in some drawing and colouring, draw along with Salomey and then learn to draw your very own Tyrone. This event is perfect for ages 3+. 11am-11:45am.

Ben Rothery

Ben Rothery is a detail-obsessed illustrator from Norwich, via Cape Town. He combines multiple processes to create intricate and delicate illustrations. Much of Ben's work is inspired or informed by his love of nature, having grown up wanting variously to be a shark, dinosaur or David Attenborough crossed with Indiana Jones, only relatively recently settling upon Illustration as a compromise allowing him to bring those fantasies to life on paper.

Based on his new book 'Wild Wonders', Ben will be running a drawing workshop where he will guide you through creating your own wildlife story through illustration and creating your own creatures. This workshop is suitable for ages 7+ 11:30am-12:30pm.

Katja Kaine

Katja Kaine is a Singaporean German British author who writes fantasy stories with powerful, immersive narratives that fuse blended-culture worldbuilding, feminist themes, and pacey, high-stakes adventures. She is also the creator of the Novel Factory software for writers and the Novel Writing Roadmap, and has helped thousands of writers make leaps forward in their stories.

She has won multiple awards for writing, including the Northern Writers Northern Promise Award, the SCBWI Undiscovered Voices competition and has been shortlisted for the Bath Children's Award and the Write Mentor Novel-In Development Award. Her debut fantasy novel Blood of Gods and Girls was snapped up by Penguin Random House in a major six figure deal in 2024 and released Summer 2026. When not writing, Katja can be found exploring ancient forests with her Labrador, bending into pretzel yoga shapes and raging against the patriarchy.

Join Katja for a YA Fantasy writing workshop, story board your ideas and bring them to life on the page through Katja's guidance and knowledge. This workshop is suitable for ages 15+ 12pm-1pm.

Tickets £6 (plus small booking fee)

We want everyone to feel welcome at Otley Common. If you have any access requirements or need any support to attend this event, please get in touch with us before the day and we'll do our best to help. hello@otleycommon.org