Tens of thousands of people gathered on the University of Southern California campus on Saturday at the Los Angeles Times Festival’s 30th festival, packing sold-out panels and waiting in a huge line to get the signatures of your favorite authors.
The annual festival features measurements, screenings and panels with the author and other speakers. It is expected to attract more than 550 storytellers this weekend, at seven outdoor stages and 15 indoor venues.
It was too early to know how many people attended the event as of noon on Saturday. However, as the sun was shining following a rainy morning, organizers said the festival looked “super crowded” and estimated that by the end of the day more than 85,000 people would attend.
Over 100 people gathered at the Irene Norris Cinema Theatre Saturday at noon, with authors Ea Hanks, Laurie Woolever, Sloane Crosley and Kareem Rosser discussing the sadness of writing and processing with moderator Elizabeth Crane.
The authors reflected the nature and stages of sadness during the 1-hour panel. I have experienced many dual losses. I entered the writing process thinking that it reflects one loss and that only another loss would occur.
“Even if these five stages exist, it’s very non-linear,” said Crane, who wrote many fictional works as well as his debut memoir.
There was a humorous moment in the writer’s account of the tragedy. The crowd laughed as Crosley and Hanks joked about a good Spotify playlist to listen to when writing about suicide.
In “Grief is For People,” Crossley laments the gem she lost in a robbery until she is forced to consider the loss of suicide of her best friend and leader.
Hanks is the author of “The 10,” a memoir following a solo trip on Interstate 10 as he attempts to deal with his mother’s life and death, and the death of his best friend. She was Tom Hanks’ daughter and his first wife, Susan Dillingham, and used the stage name Samantha Lewis.
Hanks also shared insights into the process of writing about grief.
“If someone is there and trying to write, know it’s getting better,” Hanks said of “suffocation” after receiving her first book deal. “This book took me 10 years, so the catharsis of publication was about my creative recovery.”
The festival began Friday evening at the 45th Los Angeles Times Book Awards Ceremony at USC’s Bobird Auditorium. The prizes recognize outstanding literary achievements and celebrate the best writing from the author at every stage of their career.
The winners were presented in 13 categories of works released last year. Find the complete list of winners here.
Additionally, award-winning author Pico Iyer received the Robert Kirsch Award for his lifetime achievements, and renowned poet Amanda Gorman received the Innovator Award for his work promoting literacy, empowering young people, and raising awareness on key issues.
The ceremony began with comments by Times executive editor Terry Tang and was hosted by Times columnist Lz Granderson.
“In a world that is now in chaos and painful circumstances, this weekend gives us all the opportunity to find a sense of unity, purpose and support,” Tan said.
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