After Saratoga Book Fest, Upstate author picks up two literary awards
Debut novelist Kaitlyn Marquart is going straight from ‘incredible’ Saratoga Book Festival to Michigan to pick up one of two prestigious literary awards.
After an “electric” experience at the Saratoga Book Festival, Upstate YA author Kaitlyn Marquart is traveling to Traverse City, Michigan to pick up her Bronze Medal at the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award Ceremony Nov. 8.
The new author has also recently won a Literary Titan Gold Book Award. Both honors were for her debut Young Adult novel, Amber Luna My Bright Light, about two teenage girls tackling self-doubt while navigating the “tangled mess” that is middle school.
“I wrote this story for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in, who needed a reminder that their light matters—even when it feels dim,” says Marquart, who lives near Syracuse but whose last book stop was the Spa City, for the Saratoga Book Festival.
“When I saw that Kate DiCamillo and Sophie Blackall were headlining the Saratoga Book Festival, I jumped at the chance to make the scenic drive from Syracuse,” she says. “The festival was an incredible experience — I was inspired by how supportive Saratoga is of its authors and literacy organizations. I’m hoping to participate in next year’s Saratoga Night Festival — the energy that evening was electric! The entire event reminded me why storytelling matters and left me feeling energized and proud to be part of the writing community.”
Marquart is also the author of the nonfiction IDK What to Say: A Guide for Navigating Social Situations, which was written for both teens and adults and was a 2025 CNY Book Awards Finalist.
Amber Luna and IDK What to Say are both sold on Amazon.
Keep reading!
Book lovers add music to the 5th annual festival
Salem educator to be honored tomorrow at Saratoga 250 Surrender Day