Twentynine Palms Book Festival 2025 Program

November 7–9, 2025

Organized by Desert General, a local bookstore, the Twentynine Palms Book Festival returns for its third edition this November in the scenic Mojave Desert near Joshua Tree National Park. Building on the city’s growing reputation as a creative hub—recently featured in the L.A. Times (Jan 2024)—this year’s festival is expected to welcome over 1,000 visitors across three days.

Launched in 2023, the festival brings together authors, readers, and professionals from the publishing and entertainment industries. Hosted at the Twentynine Palms Community Center, the program features author talks, workshops, book signings, and networking opportunities.

Each day of the festival is anchored by a key theme:

Day #1 | Friday, November 7 — The Power of Heritage Stories. This day honors the deep storytelling traditions of Twentynine Palms. From Native voices to veterans, local historians, and longtime residents, we celebrate the people whose stories shape our desert city.

Day #2 | Saturday, November 8 — Never Underestimate the Desert. Now in its second year, this track brings together creatives and experts who engage with desert lands—poets, novelists, scientists, and visual artists—to examine the Mojave’s fierce beauty, ecological fragility, and evolving role in climate discourse.

Day #3 | Sunday, November 9 — Books Don’t Need Chargers. Focused on family literacy and creative play, this day is packed with workshops, activities, and story-driven fun that helps parents spark a love of reading in children, from poetry and bookmaking to hands-on storytelling.

A vibrant Mix of Voices

With over 100 authors expected to participate in panel discussions, talks, workshops, and live readings, the 2025 festival promises a vibrant mix of voices and perspectives. Festival Highlights also include:

A Legacy Worth Fighting For — Gerard Gibbons, grandson and grand-nephew of the legendary Gibbons Brothers, shares the true story behind his epic boxing saga Fight for Glory—a three-part historical fiction series rooted in his family’s remarkable rise.

Drawing Her Voice: The Women Behind Wimmen’s Comix — A spirited conversation on the feminist comic revolution of the 1970s, its radical creators, and the movement they helped ignite.

Writing Joan: Celebrating Joan Didion — A tribute to California’s literary icon, exploring her voice, influence, and enduring legacy in the American canon.

New Indigenous Narratives — A showcase of rising Indigenous writers pushing the boundaries of genre, identity, and storytelling in poetry, fiction, and memoir.

Books & Jazz: Where the Story Swings — This session explores how jazz and literature intersect—through rhythm, improvisation, and storytelling—with readings, live music, and conversation.

The Writers’ Track — A full suite of educational sessions for aspiring and established authors, covering self-publishing, monetization, and how to position stories for film and television adaptation.

Each day opens with a keynote by a VIP Guest Author reflecting the day's theme.

This year’s festival will also explore a wide range of literary topics—from Tattoo Art & Literature and The Revival of Western Fiction to The Enduring Power of Crime Fiction—alongside workshops on monetizing literary work and how to get kids reading and writing.

The final program will be announced six weeks before the festival.

Ancillary Events

The Young Readers Zone will feature family-friendly activities, while the Independent Authors & Publishers Expo connects emerging voices with new audiences.

Evenings will come alive with special events including the Desert Literary Showcase, Noir in the Boneyard, Mojave Noir, Happy Poetry Hour, and the closing celebration, Hollywood Meets the Desert.

The Shoot in 29 Palms initiative continues to connect festival stories with filmmakers and producers, positioning Twentynine Palms as a year-round destination for creative projects.

A Food & Beer Garden and the official festival store will round out the experience.

PRIORITY SUPPORT FOR EARLY CONFIRMED AUTHORS

Authors who sign up early for the festival will receive special attention and priority in promotional efforts, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement. Sign up now to connect with the festival's 2,500+ followers and build momentum around participating authors and their books.