The Santa Barbara Literary Festival debuts May 2-3, bringing together readers, writers, and storytellers in a citywide celebration of the written word.
“We’re rooted in the belief that literature is not just read, but experienced,” says best-selling author and award-winning documentarian Leslie Zemeckis, SBLF founder and programmer. “We aim to break down barriers between writers and audiences by activating the city itself.”
Coming on the heels of the popular L.A. Times Festival of Books earlier this month, SBLF will host keynotes, thought-provoking panel discussions, hands-on workshops, drop-in pop-ups and nightly social gatherings across downtown Santa Barbara.
Iconic locations to be featured include the Lobero Theater, the Canary Hotel, La Arcada, and the Santa Barbara Public Library Plaza.
Scheduled keynote speakers come from a wide array of genres, including crime fiction writer Walter Mosley, historical fiction writer Kim Michele Richardson, British author Chris Whitaker, and New York Times bestselling author Steven Rowley.
Additional literary luminaries on the schedule include Dawn Tripp, Paula McLain, Susan Orlean, Meg Gardiner, and Mariel Hemingway. Screenwriter Bob Gale (Back to the Future) and Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner also will participate. Award-winning journalists attending include Pulitzer Prize winner Ed Humes, Abe Peck, and Ann Louise Bardacht.
Chaucer’s Books serves as the “Festival Bookstore,” offering SBLF visitors the chance to engage directly with featured authors.
Registration for individual events as well as VIP passes are available online.