By Heidi Simmons
The Coachella Valley is a place with a myriad of interesting events. When one festival ends, another begins. The First Annual Rancho Mirage Writers Festival starts Wednesday, January 15, and runs through Saturday the 18th.
For three days (January 16, 17 and 18), the Rancho Mirage library will close its doors to celebrate writers, readers, books and ideas. The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival will bring together a diverse list of authors who will offer talks, conversations, readings and small group discussion. Twenty-one authors will participate in the Festival.
Here is a thumbnail of the participants and their assorted, eclectic books:
David Abrams will debut his novel about the Iraq War, Fobbit, which was named a New York Times Notable Book of 2012.
Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer A. Scott Berg will attend. His new book titled Wilson about the 28th US President was released last September.
Geneticist, biologist and researcher Sean B. Carroll will talk about his book Brave Genius: A Scientist, A Philosopher and Their Daring Adventures from the French Resistance to the Nobel Prize.
Celebrity photographer and artist David Childers will share his work and discuss his book Icons and Legends.
Linda Fairstein latest book is Death Angel. With over 25 years as head of New York City District Attorney’s sex crimes unit, she’ll have plenty to say about her work and the popular “Alex Cooper” mystery series.
Alice Kessler-Harris, a professor of American History at Columbia University will talk about her book A Difficult Woman: The Challenging Life and Times of Lillian Hellman.
Pulitzer Prize winner and former publisher of the Wall Street Journal, Karen Elliot House will be present. Her new book, On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past Religion, Fault Lines and Future, should provide for an interesting discourse.
Geoffrey Kabaservice will be a fun part of the discussions. His new book is Rule and Ruin: The Downfall of Moderation and Destruction of the Republican Party.
Novelist Joseph Kanon will participate in the festivities. His novel Los Alamos won the Edgar Award for best first novel and his book The Good German was made into a film starring George Clooney and Cate Blanchett. His latest book is Istanbul Passage.
Essayist and storyteller, Kevin P. Keating will share his first full-length book The Natural Order of Things.
Former senior writer and foreign correspondent for The Wall Street Journal G. Bruce Knecht will present his new book Grand Ambition: An Extraordinary Yacht, the People Who Built It and the Millionaire Who Can’t Really Afford It.
CV favorite and local author Andrew Neiderman will join in the fun. A screenwriter and novelist, he has published 44 novels and is the author behind the V.C. Andrews franchise. His book, The Devil’s Advocate, was made into a film by Warner Bros.
New York times Bestselling author Chris Pavone brings his book The Expats to the Fest. He’s been published in 15 languages on five continents.
Arthur Phillips has been called “…the best American novelist to have emerged in the present decade.” His latest novel, The Tragedy of Arthur was named one of the Best Books of 2011 by The Wall Street Journal.
Darling: A Spiritual Autobiography by Richard Rodriguez will be on the table. He has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in non-fiction.
Bestselling author Lisa See brings her colorful work to the table. Her historical novel Shanghai Girls and the recent sequel Dreams of Joy are reading favorites.
Award winning journalist and author Maggie Shipstead will talk about her experience and new novel Seating Arrangements.
Kevin Starr will share his amazing oeuvre. Best known for his multivolume work, America and the California Dream, his latest book is Golden Gate: The Life and Times of America’s Greatest Bridge.
Los Angeles Times book critic and author David Ulin will brings his vast literary knowledge to the Festival. His book, The Lost Art of Reading: Why Books Matter in a Distracted Time, should make for an interesting discussion. His latest book Labyrinth is a novel.
Bestselling author and CV resident Joseph Wambaugh joins the festivities. His 21 works of fiction and nonfiction have earned the title “Grand Master” by the Mystery Writers of America. Wambaugh’s The Choirboys and The Onion Field were made into movies. His latest book is Harbor Nocturne.
The beautiful and vivacious author Jackie Collins will conclude the event Saturday night. She has written 29 books and all have made the New York Times Bestseller list. Her latest book is Confessions of a Wild Child.
Festival registration begins Wednesday, January 15 at 9:00 am until 3:00 and events start at 5:00 pm at the Galen – The Annenberg Center for Health Science.
Each day is jam-packed. The 16th through 18th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, two authors speak every hour. Evening events begin at 5:00 and end at 7:00.
This is an exciting Festival and certain to be loads of fun. The Rancho Mirage Library continues to provide outstanding events and has the best library services (including used bookstore and bakery!) in the valley.
Tickets for the Festival are required. A full pass includes all of the author talks, panel discussions, Q&As, seminars and boxed gourmet lunches. Special event tickets are available to purchase separately. To check the schedule for your favorite authors and to purchase tickets go to www.rmwritersfest.org. or call the Rancho Mirage Library 760 341-READ
