Literary Women Features Women Authors of Several Genres at 2023 Event

Literary Women’s annual Long Beach Festival of Authors will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center, 110 S. Pine Avenue on February 11, 2023, and tickets are still available.

The organization’s Chairwoman Anne Emigh shared, “We have a fabulous line-up once again with both debut and more seasoned authors, a few of our selections were listed on the NY Times ‘100 Notable Books of 2022’ list, not to mention some of our previous authors were on the list as well. You don’t want to miss this event, even if you haven’t read the books … yet.”

Featuring seven authors each year, the Literary Women committee chooses books from several genres. Literary Women is proud to present the 2023 authors (listed here alphabetically): Aamina Ahmad, The Return of Faraz Ali (novel); Nina De Gramont, The Christie Affair (historical fiction/mystery); Laurie Frankel, one two three (novel); Xochitl Gonzalez, Olga Dies Dreaming (novel); Nana Nkweti, Walking on Cowrie Shells (short stories); Nita Prose, The Maid (mystery); and Mary Roach, Fuzz (nonfiction/science).

These selections from Gonzalez (debut), and Ahmad (first novel), both were Notable Books. A brief description of each book is on the www.LiteraryWomen.org website.

The event’s crowd of 800 hear four of the authors speak in the main ballroom, and three breakout sessions happen simultaneously. Registrants choose one of those three authors who will present in a more intimate setting. After the event, recordings of the breakout sessions are available on the Literary Women website so everyone may hear all three sessions.

A bookstore is available on the premises to sell all the featured books plus some recommended by the committee members, and of course, there will be opportunities to have books signed by the authors.

“Plan on buying the books or bring your books and have them signed,” Emigh suggests. “Many of the authors we have featured over the years are bestselling authors and go on to win great literary awards. It’s special to have a signed copy of a debut author who then wins the Pulitzer Prize.”

The Literary Women website has a list of all the past authors including a brief bio, and links to their websites.

“Each year we add to this wonderful archive of so much great women’s literature,” Emigh said.

To support future female authors, each year Literary Women’s Harriet Williams Emerging Writer Program sponsors seven promising writers from California State University Long Beach, Long Beach City College, Chapman University and PEN America. With the help of a grant from the Port of Long Beach, Literary Women gives each emerging writer free admission seated at one of the author’s tables. Literary Women also provides funds to the Long Beach Public Library to purchase multiple copies of the books written by the festival’s authors.

This year the group has attracted more sponsors to be able to maintain a high-quality conference experience without passing on all the costs to the attendees. This year’s sponsors (as of this writing) include: Emigh Dental Care, Don Temple Family Charitable Foundation, and many others.

Online registration opens to the public on December 17, 2022. Visit the Literary Women website www.literarywomen.org to make a reservation and choose one breakout session. For the first time ever, there is an option to purchase a reserved premium table of ten for $2,000. Don’t wait to register, the event is a star attraction for book lovers and aspiring authors alike. Individual tickets are $120 each and include lunch.

ABOUT LITERARY WOMEN

The Literary Women Long Beach Festival of Authors began in 1982 when two Long Beach women, Harriet Williams and Virginia Laddey, concerned with the scarcity of women authors represented on the reading lists of local high schools, decided to create a festival showcasing contemporary women authors. For more information about this year’s authors and to register, visit https://www.LiteraryWomen.org

WAYS TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH LITERARY WOMEN

Facebook: literarywomenorg

Instagram: @literarywomenlb

Twitter: @literarywomenlb