The fifth annual San Diego Writers Festival, featuring a lineup of New York Times bestselling authors, will have a little something for everyone – seasoned literary figures, fresh writers, storytellers and business entrepreneurs alike.
The event on April 6 at the Coronado Public Library, in partnership with Warwick’s, will pack in 90 speakers and 40 events in one day. And, it is free and open to the public.
Marni Freedman, the festival’s co-founder along with Jennifer Thompson, said the two of them started the grassroots effort back in 2019 to bring the dynamic San Diego writing community together.
After a few years of navigating the virtual hurdles of the pandemic, the festival returned fully in-person in 2022 and moved to the Coronado Public Library in 2023.
“I think that the community feel is really good in Coronado, and that contributes to the whole vibe we’re trying to create,” said Anastasia Zadeik Hipkins, the director of communications for the festival. “We just want people to feel like they’re coming together in a place that’s welcoming and open.”
A full lineup of literary talent
This year’s festival includes a lineup dripping with literary talent including New York Times bestselling author Dr. Judith Orloff with her latest book, “The Genius of Empathy,” and Academy-Award and Emmy-Award winning writer, producer and director Ed Zwick (“Legends of the Fall,” “Glory,” “Shakespeare in Love,” “Thirtysomething”) with his career memoir, “Hits, Flops and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood.”
Freedman added that the festival is not solely for writers, but also for those who love stories, and the interview with Zwick is a perfect example.
“He’s someone who worked with Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Denzel Washington and the biggest stars Hollywood has to offer, and he just has such delightful, interesting stories,” Freedman said.
Matthew Quirk, bestselling political thriller writer, will also present a screening and author talkback on the hit Netflix series based on his book “The Night Agent.”
Also on the main stage will be New York Times bestselling author Anita Moorjani talking about her latest book, “Sensitive is the New Strong: The Power of Empaths in an Increasingly Harsh World,” and a mystery panel featuring Matt Coyle, Rachel Howzell Hall, and Joe Ide talking with Terry Shames about “Putting the Character in Character-Driven Mysteries.”
In addition, singer/songwriter Dale Bozzio of the 80s rock band Missing Persons will be discussing “Writing Songs for a Generation,” and Dean Nelson will interview Pulitzer-Prize Winning Journalist Dean Calbreath about his most recent book, “The Sergeant.”
“Some of the other local San Diego brilliant minds came together to support, one being Dean Nelson, who does the Writer’s Symposium by the Sea and he was so supportive,” Freedman said about Nelson’s hand in the beginning stages of the San Diego Writers Festival, and his continued support.
Engaging panels and workshops
Throughout the day, plenty of engaging panels and themed workshops will also be offered, and attendees can enjoy the live music and food vendors on site.
“One of our goals is to bring in known talent, but also feature [those] who are just breaking out and put them on the same panel, on the same stage, so that people can find mentors… can get hooked into other literary festivals,” Zadeik Hipkins said. “It’s been our goal to put San Diego on the literary map.”
Organizers are expecting around 3,000 people to attend this all-day event, a step-up from the around 2,000 attendees last year.
Participants can anticipate a free book giveaway to the first 100 people that show up in the auditorium for the presentations by Moorjani, Orloff and Zwick. There will also be a giveaway for a weekend hotel stay and dinner at Coronado’s Glorietta Bay Inn.
The events will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and while free to attend, Zadeik Hipkins and Freedman encourage people to visit the festival’s website to register at https://sandiegowritersfestival.com/. The website also has information for those interested in filling in the remaining volunteer spots.
