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Tens of thousands of people gathered at USC on Saturday at the Los Angeles Times book festival, packing sold-out panels and waiting in a huge line to get signatures from your favorite author.
The annual festival features measurements, screenings and panels with the author and other speakers. The two-day event is expected to attract more than 550 storytellers across seven outdoor stages and 15 indoor venues.
It was too early to know how many people attended on the first day of the event. It is billed as the largest literary festival in the country. 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.
Among the presenters on Saturday were Matthew Spectall and Griffin Dunn, authors of memoirs exploring parenting in Hollywood. They spoke with former Times book editor and critic David L. Ulyn in front of a crowd of over 150 people in the town of USC and the gown ballroom.
Specktor is the author of several novels and non-fiction books, including “The Golden Hour: A Story of Family and Power in Hollywood.” In “Friday Afternoon Club: Family Memoirs,” Dan explains intimate moments throughout his life, telling stories of his late father, journalist Dominic Dunn, his late uncle and aunt, as well as well as well-known authors John Gregory Dunn and Joan Didion.
On the midday panel, Dan worked on recent family events. The posthumous publication of Didion’s Notes to John features journal-like entries written for her husband.
Dan said he learned of the publication of a deep personal work a day before it was publicly announced.
“I was able to discuss how she felt about it for both sides,” he said. “She was a reporter of her life.”
Also, at noon, over 100 people gathered inside the Irene Norris Cinema Theatre, where authors Ea Hanks, Laurie Woolever, Sloane Crosley and Kareem Rosser discussed 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 of Family and the Open Road,” and follows her solo journey on Interstate 10 as she tries to deal with her mother’s life and death, and the death of her best friend. She was Tom Hanks’ daughter and his first wife, the late Susan Dillingham, who 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.”
Paige Desorbo and Hannah Berner, co-hosts of the popular podcast “The Giggly Squad,” brought a light yet straightforward conversation to the festival’s main stage early in the afternoon. This month’s comical duo have released “Gigle’s Method: A Guide to Take Life Seriously,” a quiz-filled teen magazine from the early 2000s, exclusive photos of famous best friends, and books with advice similar to heartfelt relationship advice.
“We didn’t know there were so many smart things,” Burner said.
In a conversation hosted by Alyssa Bereznak, wellness editor of the era, Desorbo and Berner opened up about the beginning of their friendship, their experiences on reality television, and how to deal with anxiety. Their jokes came across laughter and snickers as they teased themselves and shared hot take.
When asked how to find close friendships they share, Desolvo replied, “You have to find someone who can really be with you.”
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.
The Book Festival runs until Sunday. For more information including event schedules, please visit the festival’s website.
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