The first-ever Twentynine Palms Book Festival took place last Saturday and, between live sessions, book signings, and other events, the new festival surpassed expectations.
Bookworms, aspiring writers, and 31 published authors gathered Saturday to celebrate the written word at the first annual Twentynine Palms Book Festival. Spread out over downtown, with a closing party at Mas O Menos in Joshua Tree, the festival’s debut surpassed expectations according to event creator, Patrick Zuchowicki.
“Everything went well. We had great speakers, we had book signings, so we’re very happy with the results. We will have, at the end of the day, about 300 people who came specifically for the book festival. Our goal was 250 but at this level, we believe we’re gonna have 300 people. Next year, 8-9 of November, two days, on a Friday and Saturday. So yes, it will happen every year,” said Zuchowicki.
The free one-day festival featured lively sessions at Freedom Plaza that explored everything from the historical roots of Twentynine Palms to the life of an independent bookseller. Jean-Paul Garnier, science fiction writer and owner of Space Cowboy Books in Joshua Tree, shared his experience:
“What’s been so cool too is not just meeting other local authors but local publishers, literary events organizers, y’know, we all come from pretty different backgrounds as far as what we’re writing goes and that’s awesome. I don’t just want to meet people like me and writers like me,” said Garnier.
One of the sessions, entitled “We Love You, Louis L’Amour!” included devoted fan, Larry Bowden, currently the interim City Manager for Twentynine Palms, who shared his deep appreciation for L’Amour, by quoting him directly.
“Sometimes the damn fool things a man says or does are the ones that save his life. So, if you don’t mind, and you don’t shoot me in the brisket, I’ll ride the river with ya.”
Local authors from the Desert Writer’s Guild also sponsored a day-long book fair and held a session of their own readings while Desert General, just across the street, hosted book signings.
Crime noir and UFO literature – two natural by-products of desert living – were also explored in sessions and live readings.
“We must read not only for what we read, but for what it makes us think.” –Larry Bowden, quoting Louis L’Amour.
