All About the LA Times Festival of Books

Hello Readers!

Welcome back to the blog. Things are humming along here. Our latest novel will be released very, very soon, and we're getting ready for the LA Times Festival of Books next month as well. 

This will be our first time participating in the festival, so we thought we'd take a deep dive into its backstory and share what we learned. If you're in SoCal, we hope you'll come celebrate the written word with us in April. 

This is going to be a great time!

Back in the mid-90s, LA Times reporters Lisa Reale and Narda Zacchino were attending a booksellers event at the LA Convention Center, when they began discussing the lack of book festivals in the community. Instead of saying "Someone should really do something about that" they decided to take matters into their own hands, and with a little bit of funding from their LA Times departments the first festival was born in 1996. Originally, the festival was held on the campus of UCLA, but after 15 years it switched to the campus of USC--fitting since USC and the LA Times are two of Los Angeles' oldest institutions. Since 2011, the festival has remained at UCLA's downtown rival. 

Although the event started small, it's grown to become the largest book festival in the country, drawing over 150,000 people each year. It gives readers and fans a chance to go behind the page and learn more about stories, and the people who create them. The biggest names in literature are regulars there, and with panel discussions, live readings, artist performances, streamed sessions, and the big book prize, there are numerous ways to connect with them. 

Our own hero and mentor, Ray Bradbury, was featured at the 2005 festival. 

Whether you're an author, publisher, seller, or fan, there's something for everyone here. All genres of literature are represented, from children's books to cookbooks to murder mysteries (hint hint). 


Señor Andrés is a great human being

This year, along with yours truly, there will be some big names attending the festival. Chef José Andrés will be there talking about his humanitarian work and his new cookbook featuring Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. John Favreau and Tommy Vietor of 'Pod Save America' will also be there discussing their latest book, 'Democracy or Else'. Other big names featured include George Stephanopoulos, Ronda Rousey, Walter Mosley, Miranda July, and Michael R. Jackson, who wrote Broadway's 'A Strange Loop'. 

Pod Save the Festival!

It's all happening April 20-21, and admission is free for everyone. The book award ceremony takes place the night before on April 19. 

We'll be in the gold zone at booth #144, and we hope you'll come by and say hello. It's going to be a great time. For those who live far away, we'll be sure and take plenty of pictures. 

That's all for now. Hope to see you next month!

Until next time,

~2authors



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