Literary Women Festival of Authors

Literary Women of Long Beach’s Festival of Authors will make its return to the Long Beach Convention Center on Saturday, March 7, bringing together talented women writers and avid readers.

Attendees of the all-day conference will have the opportunity to listen to sometimes funny, often poignant stories from the event’s featured authors. Festival goers also can purchase literary themed goodies and books and have their books autographed by authors.

This year’s festival will host the following authors:

• Karissa Chen, Homeseeking
• Barbara Demick, Daughters of the Bamboo Grove
• Claire Hoffman, Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple-McPherson
• Amanda Peters, Waiting for the Long Night Moon
• Nayantara Roy, The Magnificent Ruins
• Anamely Salgado Reyes, My Mother Cursed My Name
• Rufi Thorpe, Margo's Got Money Troubles

Authors are chosen by the Literary Women Committee, which operates as a nonprofit and is entirely volunteer run. The committee strives to select a diverse group of both established and debut writers whose books span a range of topics and genres. Additionally, the committee invites local emerging writers from area colleges and universities to attend the festival as special guests.

Founded in 1982, Literary Women was the brainchild of local women Harriet Williams and Virginia Laddey, who were shocked to discover that high school reading lists included few female authors. They wanted to highlight and recognize the notable contributions of women to literature. By attending every year, book groups, friends, grandmothers, mothers and daughters continue to support this meaningful celebration of renowned women authors. It is a chance for bibliophiles of all kinds to be surrounded by people with shared interests and passions.