Say It Loud!
Say It Loud! Readers and Writers is a literary arts organization developed to support educational institutions and community based organizations design and incorporate innovative literary arts
Virtual Booths – Spring 2021
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Book Publicists of Southern California
Book Publicists of Southern California was founded in 1976 by Irwin Zucker, also the founder of Promotion in Motion, and is based in Hollywood, California. Its
The Skeptics Society
The Skeptics Society is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) scientific and educational organization whose mission is to engage leading experts in investigating the paranormal, fringe science, pseudoscience,
Smashwords
Smashwords was founded in 2008 to make it fast, free and easy for any writer, anywhere in the world, to self-publish an ebook. Today, Smashwords
Just Us Books
Just Us Books is an independent publisher of children’s books that celebrate the diversity of Black people, history, and culture. Founded in 1988 by Wade
IWOSC
Founded in 1982, IWOSC — Independent Writers of Southern California is one of LA’s longest-running professional writers’ organizations. IWOSC welcomes people at any level of
Little Lion Company
Little Lion provides services that prioritizes Community to keep people Connected, Engaged, and Healthy. We emphasize high quality and rewarding experiences that positively impact participants,
OwlCrate
OwlCrate was a dream born in a basement suite. Back in November 2014, Korrina and Robert set out to create a project that would bring
C.S. Lewis & Co.
C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists is a small book publicity firm that takes pride in developing personal, highly collaborative relationships with authors and publishers. We
RISE Brewing Company
Our Mission: To make high-quality, great-tasting beverages with the freshest organic ingredients we can source. We’re friends with one goal: make high-quality, great-tasting beverages with the
Horror Writers Association
THE HORROR WRITERS ASSOCIATION (HWA) is a nonprofit organization of writers and publishing professionals around the world, dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests
Boss Girl Raye
Boss Girl Raye and The Genius Agency Help You Produce, Protect, and Tell Your Story to the Masses.™ Experts in delivering integrated legal information, strategy,
Schedule (Pacific Time)
| Day 1 – For Readers Saturday, April 17 | All times listed in Pacific Time. |
| 10:30am PT | Welcome Message from The BookFest Founder Desireé Duffy, and Special Guest Deborah Kobylt |
| 10:45am PT | Opening Keynote by Bert Sarkkinen – From the Timber in the Trees to the Paper in Our Books, Let’s Find Long-Term Happiness |
| 11:00am PT | A Conversation with Michael Shermer – Being a Skeptic Today |
| 12:00 Noon PT | Books That Force You to See the World Differently |
| 1:00pm PT | Must Love Books and Television: The Connection between Television, Writers, and Pop Culture |
| 2:00pm PT | Mental Health and Physical Wellness Books for the Extended Pandemic |
| 3:00pm PT | A Conversation with Patrick M. Oliver: Creating the Next Generation of Readers, Writers and Leaders |
| 4:00pm to 6:00pm PT | Live Author Chats – Hosted by Jenna Busch and Anastasia Washington |
| 4:10pm PT | Sharon Koifman from Distant Job and author of Surviving Remote Work talks about thriving while working from home, and what the future holds for remote workers. |
| 4:20pm PT | Amber Nichole, No, don’t look away. How to facilitate inclusion and dialogue between children of all abilities using play from the perspective of a parent and educator. |
| 4:30pm PT | Jeff Sweat talks about his harrowing Covid experience and getting back to writing. He is the author of YA fiction including the books Mayfly and Scorpion. |
| 4:40pm PT | Karen Sloan-Brown, author of The Fortunes of Blues and Blessings will talk about the Fisk Jubilee Singers Grammy win and what it means to chase one’s dreams. |
| 4:50pm PT | Debra Eckerling, author of Your Goal Guide, speaker, and founder of The D*E*B Method and Write On Online talks about setting goals. |
| 5:00pm PT | T.L. Bequette, author of the forthcoming Good Lookin’ talks about how being a criminal defense attorney in Oakland, California, who’s tried over 20 murder cases, inspires his writing. |
| 5:10pm PT | Bill McCormick, aka Bill McSciFi, author of Splice: Hit Bit Technology and The Brittle Riders Trilogy, tells the story of how Russian bootleggers and Amazon Tech support gave him his nickname. |
| 5:20pm PT | Celeste Duckworth from Vertikal Media Group and host of A Taste of Ink Live talks about empowering authors and our communities. |
| 5:30pm PT | Julian Reeve, author of Captain Perfection & the Secret of Self-Compassion: A Self-Help Book for the Young Perfectionist talks about self-compassion and other perfectionism. |
| 5:40pm PT | Mandy Jackson-Beverly, author of The Creatives Series: a dark vampire thriller, speaker, and host of The Bookshop Podcast, talks about the role of indie bookshops in communities. Reads from her latest collection of ghost stories. |
Day 2 – For Writers Sunday, April 18 | |
| 9:00am PT | A Conversation with Jonathan Maberry: Being a Prolific Writer |
| 10:00am PT | How to Work Successfully with a Free-Lance Editor |
| 11:00am PT | Sharing Your Story: The Secret Ingredient in Your Memoir is You |
| 12:00 Noon PT | PR Pro Tips for Powerful Book Promotions |
| 1:00pm PT | The Science of Storytelling: How To Use Science, Structure and Sizzle to Create a Bestselling Novel or Non-Fiction Book |
| 2:00pm PT | Goodreads 101: What Every Writer Needs to Know |
| 3:00pm PT | A Conversation with Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords |
| 4:00pm PT | Ask the Industry Experts Anything: A Live Q&A for Writers of Every Level |
Saturday, April 17, 2021
4:00pm to 6:00pm Pacific Time
| 4:10pm PT | Sharon Koifman from Distant Job and author of Surviving Remote Work talks about thriving while working from home, and what the future holds for remote workers. |
| 4:20pm PT | Amber Nichole, No, don’t look away. How to facilitate inclusion and dialogue between children of all abilities using play from the perspective of a parent and educator. |
| 4:30pm PT | Jeff Sweat talks about his harrowing Covid experience and getting back to writing. He is the author of YA fiction including the books Mayfly and Scorpion. |
| 4:40pm PT | Karen Sloan-Brown, author of The Fortunes of Blues and Blessings will talk about the Fisk Jubilee Singers Grammy win and what it means to chase one’s dreams. |
| 4:50pm PT | Debra Eckerling, author of Your Goal Guide, speaker, and founder of The D*E*B Method and Write On Online talks about setting goals. |
| 5:00pm PT | T.L. Bequette, author of the forthcoming Good Lookin’ talks about how being a criminal defense attorney in Oakland, California, who’s tried over 20 murder cases, inspires his writing. |
| 5:10pm PT | Bill McCormick, aka Bill McSciFi, author of Splice: Hit Bit Technology and The Brittle Riders Trilogy, tells the story of how Russian bootleggers and Amazon Tech support gave him his nickname. |
| 5:20pm PT | Celeste Duckworth from Vertikal Media Group and host of A Taste of Ink Live talks about empowering authors and our communities. |
| 5:30pm PT | Julian Reeve, author of Captain Perfection & the Secret of Self-Compassion: A Self-Help Book for the Young Perfectionist talks about self-compassion and other perfectionism. |
| 5:40pm PT | Mandy Jackson-Beverly, author of The Creatives Series: a dark vampire thriller, speaker, and host of The Bookshop Podcast, talks about the role of indie bookshops in communities. Reads from her latest collection of ghost stories. |
| 5:50pm PT | Debbie Monteggia, poet and author of Tears of Change reads poetry from her book and shares a message of hope and inspiration. |