People who love to read and write came together in Pasadena’s first annual LitFest! LitFest Pasadena 2012 was an all-day free event, Saturday, May 12th, in Pasadena’s Central Park. This was a celebration of books, writing–and sharing the written word independently!
Panel discussions throughout the day included topics like publishing independently, Los Angeles noir fiction, and collaborative writing. History Lit gave a readers’-theatre performance of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper. And there were dozens of displays by local literary organizations, including independent publishers and booksellers. Numerous authors, in a range of genres, were present for interviews and book signings.
LitFest co-founder Larry Wilson started off the morning with some welcoming remarks. He then introduced Lian Dolan, author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller, Helen of Pasadena. Broadcaster and blog creator Dolan read the LitFest audience the first pages of the second book in her trilogy. Then, writer/broadcaster Sandra Tsing Loh thanked Wilson for organizing this first Pasadena book festival, and led the audience in an enthusiastic cheer. After she rejected their first effort, an exuberant Wilson accepted the mic back, and exhorted attendees to “Go LitFest!”
Attendees enthusiastically complied, enjoying the panels, buying books, and chatting with authors. Food trucks pulled up to offer Indian food, waffles and crepes–and at least one truck had sold out by the end of the day. One area of the park featured storytelling and activities for children. The two set-up stages had panel discussions and interviews with authors, including Pulitzer-Prize winner Jonathan Gold. Panels discussed everything from cookbooks to poetry, throughout the afternoon.
Plans are currently under way for LitFest 2013–which may very well become a Pasadena “bestseller!”