SATURDAY, MAY 2
Walter Mosley is the author of 60 critically-acclaimed books of fiction including the upcoming Easy Rawlins novel, Farewell, Amethystine; as well as works of nonfiction, memoir, and plays. His work has been translated into 25 languages. From the first novel he published, Devil in a Blue Dress with protagonist Easy Rawlins, Mosley’s work has explored the lives of Black men and women in America—past, present, and future.
Join us for some wine and a conversation with Kim Michele Richardson is a New York Times bestselling American author from Kentucky known for her historical fiction, including the award-winning The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, and a bestselling memoir, The Unbreakable Child. Richardson, who grew up in poverty and foster care, now resides in Kentucky with her family, dogs, and has founded Shy Rabbit, a writers' residency and scholarship for low-income writers. Her work often focuses on themes of kindness, courage, compassion, and the power of literacy. Kim will be joining us virtually in conversation with Leslie Zemeckis and will take your questions
SATURDAY MORNING SCHEDULE
SATURDAY AFTERNOON SCHEDULE
Romantasy, Reinvention, and the Art of Storytelling
Join bestselling author Ann Liang—the visionary voice behind A Song to Drown Rivers, I Am Not Jessica Chen, and Never Thought I’d End Up Here—for an in-depth conversation about her writing, her imaginative worlds, and the creative process that brings emotionally rich, genre-blending stories to life.
In conversation with Morgann Book, one of the world’s most influential BookTok creators, Liang will explore how she crafts unforgettable characters, builds immersive romantic and fantastical narratives, and weaves themes of identity, ambition, belonging, and transformation into her work. From lyrical prose to high-stakes emotional arcs, she’ll discuss her approach to voice, structure, pacing, and the delicate balance between romance, fantasy, and contemporary storytelling.
The discussion will also touch on Liang’s journey as an author, her evolution across genres, and how reader communities—both online and offline—shape the life of a book after publication.
Against Erasure: Women, Memory, and the Power of Story
Journalist and author Josie Cox and women’s historian Lorissa Rinehart come together for a timely, illuminating conversation about why women’s stories are so often marginalized, distorted, or erased and what it takes to restore them to the historical record. Drawing on their extensive reporting, archival research, and storytelling work, Cox and Rinehart explore how power, politics, and cultural bias shape whose lives are remembered and whose are forgotten. They will discuss the craft of uncovering lost narratives, the responsibility of writers and journalists to challenge received history, and the vital role community plays in preserving women’s voices across generations. This event invites readers, writers, and history lovers to consider how reclaiming women’s stories not only reshapes the past, but strengthens our understanding of the present—and our possibilities for the future.
Culinary Storytellers Panel
From cookbook authors to food historians, memoirists and artisans, our culinary storytellers highlight our connection to land and community through the ancient ritual of nourishment. Join us for a multi-sensorial and multi-generational celebration of the universal language of food set against the intimate backdrop of Santa Barbara's historic Pico Adobe. Guests will enjoy a glass of something fresh and sparkling upon arrival, a lively panel discussion on the outdoor terrace, and the opportunity to enjoy our delicious artisan marché filled with freshly baked goods, seasonal ferments, sublime desserts, and small-batch beverages. Books will be available for signing and purchasing. Please note that due to the intimate size of the adobe, this is a limited ticket event.
Our panelists and artisans include: Betty Fussell (How to Cook a Coyote); Rose Wilde (Bread & Roses); Anne-Marie Pietersma (I'll Have What Cheese Having); Andrea Lawson Gray (Convivir: Modern Mexican Cooking in California’s Wine Country) ; Anna Voloshyna (UKRAÏNE: Recipes from Kyiv to the Black Sea); Emma Rollin Moore (Women's Heritage Sourcebook); Sandra Adu Zelli (Gipsy Hill Bakery); Danielle Michaan (Coco et Sel); Julie Hutton (Reve Patisserie)
Read along with #1 NY Times Bestselling author Mike Bender & illustrator Chuck Dillon
Join author Mike Bender and illustrator Chuck Dillon as they read two of their most hilarious - and moving - collaborations.
The Most Serious Fart chronicals the epic journey of Siegfried, a most serious fart who is sick and tired of farts being a laughing matter. When he sets out on a most serious mission to change the fart as we know it, he ends up learning to embrace his fartness and the fun and friendship that come with it.
Join celebrated children’s book creators Max Lang and Suzanne Lang for a lively, interactive read-along designed for young readers and their grown-ups. Together, they will read Grumpy Monkey Mom for a Day and Archibald and the Furry Dinosaurs, bringing humor, heart, and high-energy storytelling to the stage.
From the relatable family antics of everyone’s favorite grumpy monkey to the imaginative adventure of furry dinosaurs, this joyful session invites kids to laugh, participate, and experience stories read the way they were meant to be heard—straight from their creators.
Following the reading, families will enjoy a brief Q&A and book signing. A delightful celebration of creativity, feelings, and imagination for readers of all ages.
From Idea To The Shelf : A Look At How Books Get Made With Industry Insiders
What really happens after a manuscript is finished? Inside Publishing brings together four leading voices from across the book industry to demystify the path from draft to bookshelf. Designed for writers seeking publication, this candid panel offers an insider’s view of how the modern publishing ecosystem works—and how to navigate it and the industry take on AI.
Whether you’re querying your first agent or refining a manuscript for submission, this essential conversation offers clarity, strategy, and realistic guidance for today’s publishing landscape.
Bad Girls brings together four fearless writers who explore women on the margins—rule breakers, rebels, and antiheroines who refuse to behave. Leslie Zemeckis, Ivy Pochoda, Alycia Vreeland, and Sara DiVello examine how “bad” women have been portrayed, misunderstood, sensationalized, and reclaimed across history, true crime, and fiction. From scandal and survival to power and reinvention, this conversation digs into why stories about transgressive women both unsettle and captivate us. Together, these authors challenge cultural myths, interrogate morality, and reveal what happens when women step outside the lines—and claim their own narratives.
Attendees at the crime panel will be entered to win the chance to go behind the scenes with the Thriller Maven herself!
Sara DiVello done over 500 interviews… and one lucky attendee will get the chance to go behind the scenes with her from the comfort of their own home as she interviews an author for the series!
Randomly picked amongst audience members, one lucky winner will receive an advanced copy of Danielle Trussoni's "Murder Most Delicous," a mystery set in Paris, another 3 others will receive a copy of a Kaira Rouda bestseller, and another audience member will join Thriller Maven Sara DiVello to meet a bestselling author and go behind the scenes during her popular interview series. (Note this is virtual and can be done from the comfort of your own home).
A gripping conversation on crime writing, truth, and ethics, featuring four acclaimed authors
What draws us to crime stories—and what responsibility do writers bear when telling them? This compelling panel brings together Danielle Trussoni, Allison Weiner, Laurie Dove, and Sara DiVello, four authors whose work spans investigative journalism, literary nonfiction, and psychological suspense.
Together, they will explore how crime literature illuminates power, justice, obsession, and moral ambiguity, while shaping public understanding of real-world violence and accountability. From deep reporting and ethical storytelling to narrative tension and emotional truth, the conversation examines how crime writing can both captivate readers and challenge them to think more critically about the world around them. Moderated discussion and audience Q&A will offer insight into craft, research, and the enduring appeal of crime stories in an age of misinformation and true-crime saturation.
Behind the Scenes with Audiobook Narrators
Go behind-the-scenes of audiobook production in a panel discussion with award-winning director Keith Reynolds and award-winning narrators Vikas Adam, Claudia Dunn, and Andrew Eiden. Get the inside scoop on how a book gets from the page to your ears and celebrate the joy of listening to great stories told by your favorite voices.
This panel is presented by Braille Institute, a nonprofit that has been transforming the lives of individuals with blindness and low vision for more than 100 years.
Inside the wild rise of Rolling Stone
Following the publication of Peter Richardson's BRAND NEW BEAT: THE WILD RISE OF ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE, which takes readers inside the early days of the iconic magazine as it rewrote the rules of journalism, Richardson proposes a lively panel conversation about the distinct type of journalism pioneered by Rolling Stone--and where it stands today.
Mapping the Long Arc of a Creative Life
If we're lucky, the road is long, but making art isn't always easy. What does it take to navigate a creative life? Moderated by celebrated ethnomusicologist David Novak this conversation between American singer/songwriter Amy Rigby and British pop legend Wreckless Eric dives into the risk, identity, and the coming-of-age moments that shape who we become as artists.
A lively panel on bold heroines and anti-heroines—why readers love rule-breaking women and the power of complex, defiant female characters.
This panel celebrates characters who defy the roles assigned to them—whether in a royal court, a glittering socialite society, a gritty London gang, a 1960s suburb, a corporate office, or today’s digital age. These women captivate us not only for their daring actions, but for the inner strength, wit, and vulnerability that make them unforgettable. Join leading authors of women’s and historical fiction as they discuss the heroines and anti-heroines who dare to be bold, the beauty found in their complexity, and the bravery it takes to stand apart. Together we’ll explore why readers are irresistibly drawn to women who break convention and how their stories mirror our own struggles with identity, resilience, and reinvention—and why such rule-breaking heroines continue to inspire us long after the final page is turned.
Lara Love and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas in discussion with Nikki Toscano
From prison to 5-time New York Times bestselling collaborator and literary agent, Lara Love sits with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, who went from secretary to producing partner with Jlo to discuss their incredible success with Hollywood producer and showrunner ("The Offer" and "Bates Motel") Nikki Toscano.
Join legendary screenwriter and producer Bob Gale for an inside look at the creation and evolution of one of the most beloved franchises in popular culture. As the co-creator and co-writer of Back to the Future, Gale helped craft a story that has captivated generations with its wit, heart, and imaginative take on time travel.
In this special conversation, Gale will discuss the writing process behind the original film trilogy, the creative decisions that shaped its iconic characters and moments, and how the story was reimagined for the stage as the hit Broadway musical Back to the Future: The Musical. He’ll explore what it takes to adapt a classic story across mediums while preserving its spirit, humor, and emotional core.
Perfect for writers, filmmakers, theater lovers, and fans alike, this event offers a rare opportunity to hear firsthand how a timeless story continues to travel through time—and thrive.
Bob Gale will briefly stay for photograph opportunities following his talk, but will not be autographing anything due to a time commitment. Billy Zane has generously offered to sign autographs.
Read along with bestselling author of Attack of the Underwear Dragon Scott Rothman as he reads his newest book, Judgy Bunny, the hilarious picture book introduction to Judgy Bunny, who thinks every new experience is THE WORST. Especially if she wasn't invited. Or if she might not be good at it. Or if it just looks awesome... er, terrible, that is.
For this judgy bunny, nothing's worse than a day at the beach. The sun? Too bright. That view of the blue sky and gleaming sand? Awful. Sand castles? Ugh. Ice cream? Yucky.
Yep. Everything is TERRIBLE. It has to be, right? There's no way she could EVER have a good time. Not with the inexplicably friendly bunny who's offered to fly kites with her, or the ice cream cone that possibly isn't a flavor she detests, or boogie boarding, which she actually... isn't bad at??! Okay. MAYBE it's fun. But she'll be the judge of that.
This event is free and open to the public.
Join the bestselling author and journalist Susan Orlean for a compelling, motivating talk at the Lobero Theater as part of the Santa Barbara Literary Festival. Orlean’s much-celebrated nonfiction work includes The Orchid Thief and The Library Book, as well as her brand-new memoir, Joyride. For over three decades, Orlean has contributed to the literary community as a staff writer for The New Yorker.
Author Bruce Cameron will be in conversation with Susan. Bruce is the creator of the most beloved brand of family dog entertainment in the world. The #1 New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling novel A Dog’s Purpose.
In this can’t-miss talk, Orlean will discuss her insatiable curiosity and keen eye for hidden stories—and how she harnesses them to craft bestselling books. From canine Old Hollywood stars like Rin Tin Tin to everyday spaces like public libraries, Orlean will speak to what catches her creative attention. Building from this, she will reveal the in-depth research processes that bring her curiosities to literary life.
Synthesizing a spirit of inquiry with a dedication to craft, this conversation will invite attendees to reconsider their perceptions of the worlds they inhabit and the research they engage with.
Perfect for readers, writers, researchers, and those seeking to rekindle their sense of curiosity.
The Santa Barbara literary festival celebrates the communal nature of storytelling. This talk welcomes folks to step into the shoes of an author who sees the remarkable stories within our seemingly mundane lives.
Four authors dive into the world of art and the art of rebellion
When the world attempts to silence women, art becomes both refuge and rebellion. In this compelling conversation, Lisa Barr, Erika Robuck, Piper Huguley, and Madeline Martin explore how women have used creativity—as artists, collectors, curators, and unsung heroes—to defy oppression and preserve culture.
Drawing from their acclaimed historical novels, these authors illuminate the real women who safeguarded masterpieces during wartime, challenged systems of exclusion, and carved space for themselves in worlds that sought to erase them. From hidden galleries to underground movements, their stories reveal how art can be an act of courage—and resistance.
Blending meticulous research with unforgettable storytelling, this panel examines the enduring power of creativity to protect truth, shape history, and inspire change. A stirring conversation about beauty, bravery, and the women who refused to disappear.
Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls:
This will be a discussion on the themes of Chelsey's bestselling book, in conversation with 2 teenage girls!
Attendees will learn:
What teenage girls are actually thinking, but rarely say out loud (and how to respond in a way that builds trust, not distance)
The hidden patterns of self-doubt that start in girlhood and how to interrupt them before they shape identity
Practical ways to support girls in building self-trust, using their voice, and becoming confident, emotionally intelligent leaders
For 18 years, Chelsey has earned teenage girls' trust to advocate for their innermost hopes and struggles. She now speaks all over the world, leading both women and girls to step into their power.
Local freshman at UCSB, Emmi Moelleken, who worked with Chelsey for 7 years will be joining along with another teenage girl based locally for an inspiring conversation.
The creators of the award winning documentary “The Librarians” will show clips from the film and be in discussions with Director/Producer Kim A Snyder, author and journalist Susan Orlean, and local school librarian Sherri Bryan
Local librarian Sherri Bryan won her first reading contest in 1st grade and has never looked back. After fourteen years as an English teacher, she transitioned to the world of high school teacher librarianship and has served in that role at two different local high schools. Currently in her sixth year at Santa Barbara High, one of her greatest joys is connecting students with books that resonate with them. She genuinely believes that reading can change the world.
Kim A. Snyder is an Academy Award® nominee and Peabody Award-winning Director / Producer whose latest feature, THE LIBRARIANS, premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and has garnered 23 festival awards and played in 200+ theaters around the globe. Her Oscar-nominated short DEATH BY NUMBERS, co-created with gun-violence survivor Sam Fuentes, has won multiple awards. Snyder’s acclaimed films include Us Kids (Sundance 2020), LESSONS FROM A SCHOOL SHOOTING (Netflix Original), and NEWTOWN (Sundance 2016, Peabody Award, PBS). Her earlier work includes WELCOME TO SHELBYVILLE (PBS) and I REMEMBER ME (Zeitgeist Films). She also Associate Produced the Oscar-winning short TREVOR, which spawned The Trevor Project. Snyder holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins SAIS and lives in New York City.
Director: Kim A.Snyder
Librarian: Sherri Bryan
Moderator: Susan Orleans
Memoir, Music & Cocktails at Roy’s
Double Musical Literary Header at Roy with 2 Performances
Join us at Roy for a singular Saturday night that weaves together memoir, music journalism, live performance, and the kind of honest conversation about creative life that you won't find anywhere else.
Two landmark panels — one tracing the wild origins of the magazine that changed American culture, the other mapping the long, winding road of three artists who refused to quit — are bookended by live performances from two remarkable musicians.
ALL PARTIES * ALL PANELS * ALL ACCESS * NOW ON SALE