Sunday, MAY 3
KEYNOTES
Join author of All The Colors Of The Dark for a discussion of life, letters, and the winding road of creativity.
The Santa Barbara Literary Festival is proud to present a keynote event with Chris Whitaker, acclaimed author of All the Colors of the Dark, at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara.
In this keynote talk, Whitaker will discuss his literary journey, creative process, and the emotional and thematic currents that shape his work. Known for his haunting prose, richly drawn characters, and masterful blending of suspense and humanity, Whitaker will explore how he builds atmosphere, tension, and moral complexity—drawing in readers while asking profound questions about love, loss, and redemption.
Whitaker will also reflect on the making of All the Colors of the Dark, offering insight into the inspirations behind the novel, the challenges of writing across genre boundaries, and the craft choices that bring darkness and beauty into conversation on the page.
Set in an intimate, contemplative space, this keynote offers audiences a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of today’s most compelling literary voices.
Join bestselling author Steven Rowley for an intimate and inspiring keynote talk at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, as part of the Santa Barbara Literary Festival. Known for his heartfelt, witty, and emotionally resonant novels—including The Guncle, The Celebrants, and Lily and the Octopus—Rowley has become one of the most beloved voices in contemporary fiction.
In this keynote, Rowley will reflect on his creative journey, the themes that shape his work—love, grief, family, identity, and chosen community—and the craft behind writing stories that balance humor with profound emotional depth. He will also discuss his latest book, offering insight into his writing process, character development, and the personal experiences that inform his storytelling.
Both moving and laugh-out-loud funny, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at a writer who has redefined modern queer fiction while speaking to universal human experiences.
A must-attend event for readers, writers, and anyone who believes in the transformative power of storytelling.
Sunday Am Schedule
Thoughtfully crafted to elevate what matters most.
Sunday PM Schedule
Thoughtfully crafted to elevate what matters most.
Daring Women
The Daring Women Panel brings together extraordinary leaders, entrepreneurs, and writers who have transformed resistance, criticism, and even threats into fuel for their vision. Each has risen from adversity with resilience and optimism, turning pushback into creativity, justice, and innovation. By sharing their voices and gifts, these women not only defy the odds, they inspire us to face challenges with courage, learn from their example, and embrace the unstoppable power of persistence and hope.
Featuring
Beatrice Dixon, founder of the Honey Pot Company and author of The Soul Instinct.
Shannon Watts, Founder of Mothers Demand Action and bestelling author of Fired Up.
Justina Blakeney, artist, designer, NYT bestselling author, and the founder of Jungalow.
Katherine Stewart, journalist & author of Money, Lies, and God, Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy.
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.
Matthew Weiner & John Gatins on Story, Structure, and Screenwriting
What turns a blank page into an unforgettable film or television series? Join Matthew Weiner (Mad Men, The Romanoffs) and John Gatins (Flight, Real Steel) for an illuminating conversation on the craft of screenwriting—from character and dialogue to structure, revision, and the alchemy of collaboration.
Together, these acclaimed storytellers will explore how scripts evolve from early drafts into powerful on-screen narratives, the discipline behind emotional truth, and the creative risks that elevate great writing into lasting cultural impact. Drawing on their celebrated careers across film and television, Weiner and Gatins will share insights into building compelling characters, balancing art with industry, and sustaining a distinctive creative voice.
Learning from What We Write
Memoir is more than the act of remembering—it is a way of making meaning. Memoir as Life Lesson brings together four acclaimed authors to explore how writing personal truth can illuminate larger lessons about identity, resilience, healing, and change.
Designed for writers, readers, and anyone drawn to personal storytelling, this conversation offers thoughtful reflection on why memoir matters—and how the stories we tell ourselves can become guides for living with greater clarity, compassion, and purpose.
Bestselling middle authors share their adventures in Middle Grade Fiction.
Join our panel of award-winning authors as they explore the dynamic world of middle grade literature—where protagonists navigate everything from everyday middle school drama to epic quests, all while figuring out who they are. This lively discussion will cover the joys and challenges of writing for this unique age group (ages 8-12) and the magic of finding the perfect book that serves as both a window and a mirror for young readers. Come with your questions for a session that's perfect for kids, families, and adults who love children's literature!
A conversation between Katherine Stewart, author of Money, Lies, and God and Jane Borden, author of Cults Like Us
The Santa Barbara Literary Festival presents a timely and incisive conversation between Katherine Stewart, author of Money, Lies, and God, and Jane Borden, author of Cults Like Us, moderated by women’s historian Lorissa Rinehart.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Stewart and Borden will examine how money, ideology, and belief systems shape American politics, culture, and identity. Drawing on investigative reporting, cultural criticism, and sharp wit, they will explore the rise of modern movements that blur the lines between faith, power, persuasion, and belonging—and why these dynamics are so influential in moments of social uncertainty.
Two masterful storytellers come together for an illuminating conversation on the alchemy of historical fiction. Paula McLain (The Paris Wife, When the Stars Go Dark) and Dawn Tripp (Georgia, Jackie) explore how writers transform archival fragments, lived realities, and emotional truth into immersive, resonant narratives.
In this wide-ranging discussion, McLain and Tripp will reflect on their creative processes, the ethical and imaginative responsibilities of writing about real lives, and the unique power of historical fiction to restore forgotten voices, deepen empathy, and help readers understand both the past and the present. They’ll examine how research becomes art, how character shapes history, and how storytelling can transcend time to reveal enduring human truths.
A compelling event for readers, writers, and lovers of history, this conversation invites audiences into the minds of two acclaimed novelists who are redefining what historical fiction can do—and why it matters now more than ever.
Join Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Edward Humes, author of Total Garbage: How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World, in conversation with Kathi King, Director of Outreach and Education at the Community Environmental Council (CEC), for a timely and eye-opening discussion on environmental journalism, consumer culture, and climate action.
Humes will explore the reporting behind Total Garbage, revealing the hidden systems that shape what we throw away—and the profound environmental, economic, and ethical consequences of our waste. Together, Humes and King will examine the critical role journalism plays in uncovering environmental truths, empowering communities, and driving meaningful change.
The conversation will also spotlight practical, actionable steps individuals, families, and communities can take to reduce waste, rethink consumption, and protect our planet for future generations.
Romance and fantasy are the hottest growing trends in publishing these days. Join us along with moderator/host Pierson Fode, hot off two back to back #1 movies, “The Wrong Paris,” and “Swiped,” opposite Lily James in welcoming authors Ariel Sullivan, Geneva Lee, Romina Garber and Kiki Astor who are shaking things up in the world of Romantasy.
Four authors explore belonging, resilience, and the courage to be seen in spaces never built with them in mind.
What does it mean to survive in spaces that weren’t built for you? Four authors explore the tension between belonging and visibility—navigating racism and tokenism in one of the world’s most “progressive” societies, building resilience within marginalized communities shaped by political eras from Reagan to Trump, finding love and chosen family in a small town learning to embrace difference, and exposing the surveillance lurking beneath a seemingly perfect suburban HOA.
Lola Akinmade Åkerström, Byron Lane, Lisa Alvarez, and Christina Hammonds write with humor, heart, and unflinching honesty about the masks we wear, the secrets we keep, and the true cost—and power—of being seen for who we really are.
Crime Time:
Ace Atkins, Meg Gardiner, Wendy Walker, Faith Phillips and Tod Goldberg
In this panel, historical fiction authors Denny S. Bryce, Jane Healy, and Timothy Schaffert will be in conversation with moderator Mandy Jackson-Beverly about how history shapes us and the tools historical fiction authors use to create their work. At what point does research yield to imagination, when does the writer know it's time to let go of facts and research, and enter the world of imagination.
From boobs to bank accounts—and everything in between—this candid, empowering conversation tackles the realities shaping women’s lives today.
Authors Leslie Lehr and financial journalist Alison Kosik join moderator Mariel Hemingway for a dynamic discussion on the intersection of physical health, mental well-being, financial literacy, career longevity, and personal fulfillment. Together, they’ll explore the often-overlooked connections between money and mental health, hormones and happiness, ambition and balance.
Blending research, lived experience, and practical insight, this panel confronts the cultural pressures women face while offering tools for greater agency, resilience, and informed decision-making. Expect honesty, humor, and actionable takeaways designed to help women take charge of their bodies, their finances, and their futures.
A must-attend conversation for anyone invested in women’s well-being—in every sense of the word.