• writers conference

      Poetry as Memory and Collective Processing” session (File Photo – Brian Biery)

      Pasadena’s beloved LitFest in the Dena returns on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, 2026, continuing its mission to uplift writers, readers, and the next generation of literary voices.

      By News Desk

      Held at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church, the festival remains free to the public, inviting the community into two days of conversation, creativity, and cultural exchange.

      A Festival Built Around Books That Shift Culture

      This year’s theme, “Books That Changed the Public Narrative,” explores how literature shapes social consciousness and sparks change beyond the written page. The programming reflects that ambition, weaving together panels, readings, workshops, and performances that highlight the transformative power of storytelling.

      Student Voices at the Center

      Pasadena youth take the spotlight in several standout events. Pieces of Us: PUSD Students on Fire, ICE, and Life features students from Sehba Sarwar’s PUSD Thinktank—Adhalia Rivera, Lesley Chee, Mariah Tillman, and Julia Martinez—sharing work on topics including the Eaton Fire and ICE presence in the community. Their new anthology, The Learning Curve: A Five Year Anthology, will be available at the festival’s pop‑up bookstore.

      Students from Hovsepian School will present Diasporan Witness and Wonder: 8th Graders Respond, offering poetic recitations honoring minority and diasporan writers. The program is curated by principal and poet Shahé Mankerian, with musical interludes by Vatché Mankerian celebrating Armenian heritage.

      A Mission-Driven Festival

      Produced by Light Bringer Project, a Pasadena nonprofit dedicated to arts education and literacy, LitFest brings together 200 authors across genres and disciplines. The organization sees the festival as part of its broader mission to build the creative workforce of tomorrow, using literary spaces to inspire young people toward careers in the arts.

      Spotlight on Latine and Bilingual Literature

      This year’s festival features an especially robust lineup of Latine writers and Spanish‑language programming. A special reading curated by Red Hen Press and Letras Latinas showcases Francisco Aragon, Alan Chazaro, Heidi Andrea Restrepo Rhodes, Cloud Delfina Cardona, William Archila, and Brent Ameneyro.

      Panels include:

      • Speaking Truth to Power, where writers Daniel Olivas, Lisa Alvarez, Adolfo Guzman‑Lopez, and Pedro Iniguez confront abuses by ICE.
      • La Lotería Against Time, with Gloria Arjona blending music, cultural history, and the enduring symbolism of lotería.
      • Brilliant Bilinguals, featuring poets Diosa Xochitquetzalcoatl, Brenda Vaca, Paola Gutierrez, Jesenia Chavez, and Adela Najarro—plus a free round of lotería.

      Genre Lovers Get Their Moment

      Fantasy, crime, horror, science fiction, and true crime all have dedicated panels, including:

      • Across Realms and Realities, exploring fantasy in today’s political climate.
      • Writing the Crimes of Our Time, examining crime fiction as a reflection of social anxieties.
      • The Queer of Spirit, where speculative fiction writers discuss coming out and spirituality.
      • Beyond Truman Capote, re-centering victim‑survivor voices in true crime narratives.

      Literature as a Tool for Social Change

      Panels and workshops focused on activism and justice include:

      • Storytelling as a Political Force, featuring Victoria Patterson, Dana Johnson, Lisa Alvarez, and Mary Camarillo.
      • The Power of Narratives in Pursuing Racial Justice, a workshop led by Sonali Kolhatkar.
      • Organizing For Good, where Brian Biery, RJ Sakai, and Marcus Renner share community‑building strategies.

      Poetry, Community Art, and Hands-On Creativity

      Poetry lovers can enjoy readings from the Pasadena Rose Poets, Altadena Poets Laureate, and speculative poets in Starlit Scribes.

      Glendale Poet Laureate Raffi Wartanian will host a community poetics table dedicated to collective healing and remembrance of the Eaton Fire. Cartoonist Julie Fiveash will lead a zine‑making station, and typewriter poet Jeanelle Fu will craft on‑the‑spot poems for festivalgoers.

      Programming for Young Readers and Teens

      Children’s literature takes center stage in Between Childhood and the World, featuring authors Dan McCauley, Ryane Granados, Elisa Parhad, and Margaret Finnegan. Young adult authors Christina Hoag, Tisha Reichle‑Aguilera, Reverie Fey, and Francesca Lia Block will discuss social issues in YA storytelling in Raising Teen Conscience.

      Workshops for Writers

      Special workshops include:

      • A science‑fiction‑for‑social‑change session with Ciena Valenzuela‑Peterson and Valentina Gomez of the Omega Sci‑Fi Project.
      • Mystery 101: The Art of Asking Why, led by Camille Cabrera and Jennifer J. Chow.

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