- Rancho Mirage Writers Festival – Rancho Mirage, CaliforniaWebsite: Rancho Mirage Writers Festival
Dates: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 to Friday, February 1, 2019
The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival is a world-class gathering of writers, thinkers, and people contributing to the intellectual vitality of our time — “Coachella for the brain.”
SDSU Writers’ Conference – San Diego, California Website: SDSU Writers’ Conference
Dates: Thursday, January 31, 2019 to Saturday, February 2, 2019
Whether you’re a beginning writer or a published professional, the San Diego State University Writers’ Conference is for you. Over 30 years old, this conference is designed to help every writer at every level. Learn how to improve your writing skills, develop your marketing awareness, and meet one-on-one with top editors and agents to facilitate the next step in your publishing career.After 33 years, the SDSU Writers’ Conference did not hold a 2018 conference the next one will be held in 2019.
Black Writers On Tour – Los Angeles, California Website: Black Writers On Tour
Date: Saturday, March 30, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Purpose: To promote literacy awareness, to give exposure to African-American authors, writers, and to motivate, and develop aspiring new writers and authors. To showcase Black Businesses, provide exposure and to increase their sales.
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books – Los Angeles, California Website: Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Dates: Saturday, April 13, 2019 to Sunday, April 14, 2019
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: to bring together the people who create books with the people who love to read them. The festival was an immediate success and has evolved to include live bands, poetry readings, chef demos, cultural entertainment and artists creating their work on-site. There’s also a photography exhibit, film screenings followed by Q&A’s and discussion panels on some of today’s hottest topics.
Yallwest Santa Monica Book Festival – Santa Monica, California Website: Yallwest Santa Monica Book Festival
Dates: Friday, May 3, 2019 to Saturday, May 4, 2019
Over 113 authors including New York Times Bestsellers along with local and acclaimed young adult and middle grade writers, plus notable Hollywood directors and creators.2 days of panels, book signings, food trucks, bad jokes, rock ‘n’ roll, killer photo ops & general geeky debauchery
Bay Area Book Festival – Berkeley, California Website: Bay Area Book Festival
Dates: Saturday, May 4, 2019 to Sunday, May 5, 2019
The Bay Area Book Festival is the primary project of the Foundation for the Future of Literature and Literacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in California. FFLL’s Tax ID number is 47-3955286. Its business address is 1569 Solano Ave. #635, Berkeley, CA 94707.FFLL is governed by a Board of Directors. Members include Cherilyn Parsons (Berkeley, CA), Peter Richardson (San Francisco, CA), Mal Warwick (Berkeley, CA), Brooke Warner (Berkeley, CA), and Igor Zagatsky (Berkeley, CA)
Sacramento Black Book Fair – Sacramento, California Website: Sacramento Black Book Fair
Dates: Friday, May 31, 2019 to Saturday, June 1, 2019
This historic two-day book fair and celebration will include a panel discussion among our featured authors, book signings, talks by each of the featured writers, cultural & food vendors, book discussions with each writer listed in the program, children’s activities, poetry readings, art displays, and much more
Leimert Park Village Book Fair – Los Angeles, California Website: Leimert Park Village Book Fair
Date: August 2019 – Dates to be Announced
See Press ReleaseThe Leimert Park Village Book Fair was founded in 2006 by Cynthia E. Exum with the goal of promoting literacy and education in Los Angeles. The Leimert Park Village Book Fair was inspired by a project in February 1999 when Ms. Exum partnered with Our Authors Study Club, Inc. to present a ‘Festival of African American Authors’ at Los Angeles Southwest College. Its success in drawing 10 authors participating for an audience of 40 inspired the idea of creating an annual literary event.Today, the Annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair attracts over 200 authors, poets, spoken word artists, storytellers, performers, and literary/educational exhibitor participants – and boasts an audience of over 5,000. Since its inception the Leimert Park Village Book Fair has grown in popularity and prestige becoming a cultural tradition and premier summer literary event.
Fall Into Fiction – Emeryville, California Website: Fall Into Fiction
Date: September 2019 – Dates to be Announced
UCAAB was created as a way for African-American book clubs in California to network, support, and promote our reading groups, black-owned independent bookstores, and the authors we love to read. Many of us live, work, and meet in the same area; but, rarely do we get a chance to come together as ONE! UCAAB is our way of officially creating and sustaining a cohesive environment that celebrates each member’s (book club or individual) uniqueness, encourages community bonding, embraces fellowship, and supports the literary contributions of authors of African descent.One of the primary goals of UCAAB is to bring book lovers and authors together on the west coast. We accomplish this by hosting our annual Fall into Fiction literary event. This is just one of the ways we get the attention of publishers, so they will begin to include California on all of their authors’ book tours.
SCIBA Trade Show – Pomona, California Website: SCIBA Trade Show
Date: October 2019 – Dates to be Announced
The Southern California Independent Booksellers Association (SCIBA) is a non-profit trade association of independent booksellers, book wholesalers, publishers and other industry professionals located primarily in Southern California and Southern Nevada.
