2025 Program

November 7–9, 2025

We’re delighted to share the final program for the 2025 Twentynine Palms Book Festival. Over three days, from November 7–9, the festival will bring together an exciting mix of panels, workshops, and readings—both at the Twentynine Palms Community Center and in memorable off-site locations. From flagship noir events under the desert sky to intimate conversations with acclaimed authors, the program celebrates the creativity, stories, and voices that define our desert community and beyond. The full list of moderators, masters of ceremony, panelists, and readers will be announced shortly.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Twentynine Palms Community Center by Freedom Plaza

10:00 AM – Where the Hell is 29 Palms? | Panel Discussion.

This opening session explores the landmark stories that define Twentynine Palms and anchor its unique identity in the Mojave Desert. From The Desert Trail newspaper, the historic 29 Palms Inn and Campbell House, and Bagley’s General Store, to the vital presence of the Twentynine Palms Marine Base, these pillars of heritage, history, and community have shaped the city across generations. The discussion will be led by Steve Brown, longtime hi-desert resident, award-winning journalist, musician, and publisher of The Sun Runner: The Journal of the Real Desert. He will be joined by Lieutenant Colonel John J. McBrearty, U.S. Army (Ret.) / LCpl & CPT USMC (Emeritus), who will reflect on the Marine Base as a cornerstone of the city’s identity. Adding their perspectives are Heidi Grunt, representing the legacy and ongoing role of the 29 Palms Inn; Jim Bagley, speaking on behalf of Bagley’s General Store, a foundational institution in the town’s development; and Ann Congdon, representing The Desert Trail, the newspaper that has chronicled and shaped Twentynine Palms life for decades. Together, they will reflect on how these institutions have defined the city across generations and discuss what it takes to preserve and share their legacy for the future.

11:00 AM - Los Angeles and the Rise of the American Indian Movement 

Join novelist and tribal attorney Antoinette Godin for an intimate one-on-one conversation with Rebekah Meola about Native Brush Strokes, Godin’s debut novel set in Native Los Angeles in the years following the American Indian Movement. In this special presentation, Godin will open with a look at Los Angeles during the early days of AIM—when activism, community organizing, and a flourishing urban Native identity began to take root—offering historical and cultural context for the world her novel later inhabits. The discussion will trace the throughline between political awakening, artistic expression, and personal survival, revealing how Native voices in Los Angeles continue to shape American art and culture today. 

NOON – Is the Desert Inspirational for Comedy Writing? | Panel Discussion.

The Mojave Desert is a place of extremes—heat and wind, silence and spectacle, isolation and eccentricity. These contrasts not only shape daily life but also inspire unique forms of storytelling, including comedy. This lively session asks: how does the desert itself spark humor? Writers and comedians will explore how the quirks of desert life—its characters, landscapes, and sense of absurdity—infuse their work with comedic tone, timing, and perspective. Moderating the discussion is Vic Terry, a Twentynine Palms resident who has made it her mission to bring comedy to the desert. She is the co-founder of the Hi-Desert Comedy Campout, a festival that mixes stand-up, improv, and desert culture into a one-of-a-kind creative gathering. With her deep passion for fostering laughter and community, Vic brings the perfect mix of insight and humor to the stage. She will be joined by Rose Baldwin, J.D. O’Brien, Virginia Mekkelson, Sharianne Greer, Bruce Craven, and Ryanna Hammond, each offering their own take on what it means to write—and laugh—in the desert.

2 PM – A Conversation on IsraeliJazz. 

Join IsraeliJazz author Raphael Perez in a one-on-one conversation with veteran music journalist Steve Hochman. Together they will delve into the making of Perez’s landmark 288-page bilingual (English/French) coffee table book, a visually stunning and deeply researched project featuring more than 100 original photographs and documenting Israel’s jazz pioneers and education system. For more than 40 years, Hochman has covered music for the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, SPIN, the Bluegrass Situation, New Orleans' OffBeat and other leading outlets. He frequently moderates programs at the Grammy Museum and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and is the co-author of Heartstrings, the 2023 Melissa Etheridge graphic biography.

3:30 PM – Wimmen’s Comix: a VIP conversation.

Join four legendary figures of the underground comix movement, Teresa Richards, Lee Marrs, Caryn Leschen and Sharon Rudhal. for an exclusive conversation reflecting on their groundbreaking work with Wimmen’s Comix, the trailblazing San Francisco–based publication created as a bold response to the male-dominated world of underground comix. Together, they’ll revisit the origins, legacy, and cultural impact of a publication that gave women in comics a powerful collective voice and changed the landscape of the medium. The session will be moderated by Susan Rukeyser, a writer and literary activist based in Joshua Tree. Susan is the founder of The Desert Split Open, a series amplifying feminist, queer, and radical voices. She runs World Split Open Press, which will publish her forthcoming collection Bad Words (October 2025), a book of short, hybrid prose inspired by the Desert Split Open. Her new novel The Worst Kind of Girl (Red Light Lit Press) is set in Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley, following her acclaimed earlier novel Not on Fire, Only Dying (Twisted Road Publications). With her deep experience in publishing, editing, and bookselling, Susan brings not only literary insight but also a sharp understanding of how movements like Wimmen’s Comix resonate across generations.

5 PM - P.O. BOX OUTER SPACE | Readings.

Step into the cosmic realm of P.O. BOX OUTER SPACE (POBOS), a book-zine devoted to the unknown and the beyond. Born under the desert night skies of Joshua Tree, this project weaves together words, art, music, and moving images to create a channel for transcendent connection. This session will feature readings from contributors to the book-zine published by Jardine Libaire and Jennifer Prediger, with design by Beth Middleworth. Jardine Libaire is the acclaimed author of You’re an Animal, White Fur and Here Kitty Kitty, and lives in Joshua Tree. Jennifer Prediger is an actress, writer, and director with a background in film and literary arts. Beth Middleworth, designer, art director, and illustrator, has crafted print and digital work across books, album covers, and multimedia projects, shaping the look and feel of POBOS. With Volume 3 now available and more to come, this reading invites audiences to experience a unique fusion of desert-born creativity and interstellar imagination. 

Offsite

7 PM – Mojave Noir (Old Schoolhouse Museum) / Readings.

Mil-Tree presents the 5th year of Mojave Noir, a gathering of local crime/noir writers with other Southern California authors in the genre reading their bleak fiction accompanied by live atmospheric music. Co-produced and hosted by local author/journalist Gabriel Hart, the event will feature Ben Goulet, Kyle Seibel, Patrick Wallis, and Renee Asher-Pickup. Mil-Tree’s mission is to create community between veterans, service-members and civilians through shared experiences, projects and creative expression. 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Twentynine Palms Community Center by Freedom Plaza

8:00 - 10:30 AM - Paths to Publishing | Networking + Panels for Authors

Doors open at 8:00 AM with coffee and bagels to set the tone for a lively morning of networking and exchange among authors. From 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, moderator Rebekah Meola will lead two back-to-back panels designed to demystify today’s publishing world.

For authors weighing their next steps, the publishing landscape offers a spectrum of options. The first panel, Big Press; Little Press, will explore key distinctions among the Big Five publishers, large independents, and small presses—unpacking how each model differs in contracts, distribution, editorial support, design, marketing, and long-term career strategy. Panelists Gina Frangello, Jardine Libaire, Terria Smith, and Tracy Wise will share their own diverse journeys, offering practical insights to help attendees understand the pros and cons of each model and choose the path that best aligns with their goals.

The second panel, Community- and Self- Publishing, will dive into the world of community and self publishing, highlighting both its freedoms and its responsibilities. Authors Catherine Auman, George Bixley, Michael Juarez, Julia Martel, Andreas Kossak, and Michael G. Vail will walk participants through editing, design, distribution, marketing, and audience-building, offering practical tips and candid stories to help writers avoid common pitfalls.

Together, these two sessions provide a unique opportunity for authors to learn, connect, and begin charting their publishing futures with clarity and confidence.

10:30 AM – California Desert Artists | Panel Discussion.

Join us for a special panel discussion celebrating the release of The California Desert Artists (2024), a richly illustrated book that profiles a dozen remarkable artists living and working in California’s High Desert. Moderated by author Katie Nartonis, a curator, writer, filmmaker and design specialist, this conversation will bring together several of the featured artists to share the stories behind their work — how they came to the desert, how its landscapes and culture have shaped their creative practices, and how their studios and art reflect this unique environment. Through conversation and visuals, this session offers an intimate look at the vibrant and varied art scene of California’s desert communities. Panelists include artists Ben Allanoff; Claudia Bucher; Sonja Krastman; Philip Miller; Eric Nash; Cybele Rowe; Svetlana Shigroff; Joanna Szachowska; Kelly Witmer; and Larry White.

11:30 AM – The Enduring Wild: A Conversation with Josh Jackson.

Join environmental writer and photographer Josh Jackson for an intimate conversation about his acclaimed book The Enduring Wild: A Journey into California’s Public Lands. Guided by interviewer Alicia Pike, Jackson will share insights into his journeys across 41 of California’s landscapes, from the Mojave Desert to the Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness in Mendocino County. Through his words and photography, he captures the beauty of places many have never seen, while revealing the staggering scale of America’s public lands—618 million acres in total, with 245 million managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Jackson’s work blends storytelling, conservation, and visual arts to illuminate how public lands, “our common ground,” are both a gift and a responsibility. His book reminds us that protecting fragile environments requires not only professional activists but everyday citizens willing to take a stand. Alicia Pike, a lifelong advocate for animals and the desert, brings her own passion and accessible style to the conversation, creating a dialogue that celebrates the power of narrative to inspire action and deepen our collective connection to the land.

1:30 PM – Never Underestimate the Desert | Panel Discussion.

This session brings together writers, artists, and advocates to reflect on the Mojave as both a fragile ecosystem and a source of creative inspiration. In Twentynine Palms—a town at once shaped by development and engaged in resisting it—this session invites people from all walks of creativity and environmental advocacy to share their hopes, concerns, and expectations for the future of desert lands. The discussion will explore how literature can play a vital role in raising awareness and shaping policy, offering stories that give voice to landscapes too often overlooked or undervalued. Together, panelists will consider how storytelling, poetry, and history can inspire preservation, influence desert land policy, and deepen public understanding of this distinctive environment. The conversation will be moderated by Katie Nartonis - a curator, writer, filmmaker, and design specialist who has long documented historically significant California artists and movements - and will feature the perspectives of the following artists: Jennifer Brody, Eugene Rosow, Jamal Koussan-Price, Ruth Nolan, and Ben Coil.

3:00 PM – Noir Lives On: The Enduring Power of Pulp Fiction | Panel Discussion.

As part of Desert Noir—a joint initiative between the Twentynine Palms Book Festival and Palm Springs’ annual NoirCon—this session examines how noir fiction has remained a vital force in popular culture. From the hardboiled pulp magazines of the mid-20th century to their resurgence in contemporary literature and film, noir continues to define narrative style, character archetypes, and cultural imagination. Authors and scholars including Brian Townsley, Nolan Knight, Nevada McPherson, and Domenic Stansberry will trace noir’s evolution, showing how the desert landscape amplifies the genre’s timeless atmosphere of grit, tension, and survival.

4:30 PM – Becoming a Film Noir: From Page to Screen | Panel Discussion.

Continuing the Desert Noir program, this session shifts the focus to the screen, where noir’s themes of betrayal, survival, and moral ambiguity continue to thrive. Dennis Tafoya, Daniel Pyne, Deanne Stillman, Brian Townsley, and Eugene Rosow will explore the practical process of adaptation, from securing rights to crafting cinematic language that does justice to the page. With the Mojave Desert as a natural backdrop, the conversation highlights how noir stories are not only preserved but transformed when reimagined for film and television.

Offsite

1:00–4:00 PM – Poetry Happy Hour (29 Palms Inn) | Readings.

Set against the relaxed desert charm of the 29 Palms Inn, Poetry Happy Hour brings together a vibrant mix of voices in an informal, rotating reading. This year’s lineup features celebrated authors and poets including Kate Spencer, Michael G. Vail, Nikki Rawnsley, Esinam Bediako, Damien Gossett, Kristina Ten, Cindy Rinne, Joel Tomfohr, Virginia Mekkelson, Phil Miller, Ryanna Hammond, Bruce Craven, Natalie Raymond, Anna Olivia Eve, and Angelus. Each will share selections from their work—ranging from humor and reflection to lyric intensity and desert-rooted storytelling. Guiding the afternoon is master of ceremony Palo Xanto, a poetic and sonic conjurer from Joshua Tree who’s stripped-down, soul-stirring sound blends bluesy guitar, desert rock, and alt-hip hop rhythms. Channeling the raw magic of the desert, his voice weaves ancient cadence into contemporary presence, setting the tone for an afternoon were poetry and rhythm fuse – a journey for dreamers, seekers, and artists drawn to something deeper.

6:00 PM – Voices of the Desert (The Palms in Wonder Valley) | Readings.

Doors open at 6:00 PM for food and drinks, with the readings beginning at 6:30 PM. Set against the magical backdrop of The Palms in Wonder Valley, Voices of the Desert is one of the festival’s most evocative evenings. Organized in partnership with the Desert Writers Guild and the Mojave Sage Writers Association, this outdoor reading celebrates writers whose work is deeply rooted in the desert’s landscapes, histories, and eccentricities. The evening will be guided by Master of Ceremony Vic Terry, organizer of the Hi-Desert Comedy Campout and a seasoned curator of desert arts gatherings. Known for helping artists unwind, connect, and create in this one-of-a-kind environment, she brings both warmth and wit to the stage. Readers include Cindy Rinne, Ruth Nolan, Jennifer Germano, John Sierpinski, Carla Fernandez, Kate Spencer, Kent Wilson, Kristina Ten, Jay Jones, Derrick Davis, Megan Haugh, Nico Slate, Michael G. Vail, Francis Moss, George Bixley, Abigail Stewart, and Damien Gosset—each lending their voice to a chorus that captures the spirit and strangeness of desert life.

7:00 PM – Noir in the Boneyard (29 Palms Public Cemetery) | Readings.

An atmospheric evening of pulp noir and crime writing under the desert sky at the 29 Palms Public Cemetery. Presented by Starlite Pulp, this other flagship event features eight authors handpicked by Brian Townsley. Grit, moral ambiguity, and the haunting beauty of the desert converge in one unforgettable night of reading among the gravestones. Readers include Nolan Knight, Nevada McPherson, Bruce Craven, Rob Roberge, Dennis Tafoya, JD O'Brien, Daniel Pyne, Domenic Stansberry, and Brian Townsley. 

8:00 PM - Red Light Lit featuring Los Ponchos Tones (The Out There Bar) | Readings.

At the crossroads of literature, love, sexuality, and rock ’n’ roll, Red Light Lit comes to the desert with a powerful performance series curated by writer, editor, and publisher Jennifer Lewis. Known for her award-winning fiction and nonfiction, and for championing daring new voices through her press, Lewis brings her signature mix of intimacy and edge to the stage. This special evening will feature performances by Orenda Fink, whose debut memoir The Witch’s Daughter explores trauma, magic, and healing; Laurie Kaye, author of Confessions of a Rock ’n’ Roll Name Dropper: My Life Leading Up to John Lennon’s Last Interview, recounting her rise in the music industry and her unforgettable final interview with John Lennon; Susan Rukeyser, author and literary activist based in Joshua Tree, whose new novel The Worst Kind of Girl was just released by Red Light Lit Press; and Kristina Ten, a Moscow-born speculative fiction writer and Clarion West graduate with a forthcoming story collection from Stillhouse Press. The evening will be scored live by Flying Mountains, with a special musical set by Los Ponchos Tones, creating a one-of-a-kind mashup of literature, music, and performance.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Twentynine Palms Community Center by Freedom Plaza

10:00 AM – Books Don’t Need Chargers | Panel Discussion.

How do we inspire a lifelong love of reading in children in today’s screen-first world? Moderator Kimberly Lee, author, creativity coach, and former attorney, will guide a lively conversation with Michael “Aibo” Juarez, a sci-fi writer and A.I. innovator whose work explores freedom and resilience; Esinam Bediako, an award-winning novelist and former teacher whose writing blends heritage and contemporary experience; Yasmine Golchan, a theater and film producer turned children’s author who celebrates timeless storytelling; Susan Brennan, a memoirist and executive whose journey of survival and success inspires underserved communities; Erik PerezBrain, a children’s book author, coach, and storyteller whose uplifting books draw on sports psychology and ancient practices to teach young readers self-confidence and positive self-control; and Stephanie Campisi, an Australian-born author based in Southern California whose humorous, fantastical tales—such as Luis and Tabitha and Warrior Fairies—bring playful imagination and wit to children’s literature. Together, they will explore how curiosity, access, and personal examples keep books essential in young lives.

11:30 AM - Stories to Grow With: Indigenous Tales for Young Readers | Readings.

This family-friendly session celebrates the rich tradition of Indigenous storytelling and its enduring importance for new generations. Featuring live readings and story recommendations by Indigenous authors and educators, the program highlights children’s books that nurture imagination, affirm cultural identity, and honor ancestral knowledge. In Twentynine Palms, where the history of the Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Cahuilla peoples runs deep, Indigenous tales are part of the town’s cultural fabric. These stories embody respect for the land, resilience, and interconnection, offering children meaningful lessons that transcend generations. By bringing them into the spotlight, the festival affirms the value of keeping this heritage alive and accessible. The session will be curated by Terria Smith (Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla), Director of the Heyday Berkeley Roundhouse and Editor of News From Native California. Smith is a widely respected storyteller across Native California, dedicated to amplifying Indigenous voices, preserving oral traditions, and fostering intergenerational dialogue. Her work connects Native California communities with broader audiences, ensuring that these stories remain vital sources of knowledge, pride, and cultural continuity.

1 PM Memoir – Writers at Lunch: Finding Truth, Recasting Stories | Panel & Workshop.

Join Gina Frangello (Blow Your House Down), and memoirists Maggie Downs (Braver Than You Think), Laurie Kaye (Confessions of a Rock N Roll Name Dropper: My Life Leading Up to John Lennon’s Last Interview.), Emily Rapp Black (The Still Point of the Turning World), Rachel Resnick (Love Junkie), and Rob Roberge (Liar) for a lively lunchtime session that blends conversation and creativity. Panelists will share insights on transforming personal experience into story—shedding shame, finding voice, and shaping yourself as a “character.” Participants are then invited to try a generative writing exercise designed to unlock new perspectives, whether for personal reflection or as the beginning of a memoir project. No prior writing experience is needed; all are welcome.

2:30 PM – Heritage Stories in the Ring: A Conversation with Gerard Gibbons and Todd Aaron Jensen.

Award-winning filmmaker, historian, and author Gerard Gibbons brings a powerful perspective on the role of heritage stories in understanding America’s past. In this special session, Gibbons will discuss how uncovering his family’s untold legacy—centered on his grandfather, Tommy Gibbons, and his great-uncle Mike—led to his historical novel Fight for Glory. At the heart of the conversation is boxing’s golden age of the 1920s, when million-dollar prize fights captured the imagination of the nation. For Gibbons, the boxing ring becomes a stage where themes of family, courage, and survival intersect with the pressures of a rapidly modernizing society. He will be in conversation with Todd Aaron Jensen, an award-winning journalist and cultural chronicler whose four books include the much-loved On Gratitude, featuring contributions from Sheryl Crow, Jeff Bridges, Alicia Keys, Ray Bradbury, B.B. King, and many others. With bylines in American Way, Spirit, WGA’s Written By, and Men’s Health, Jensen has interviewed some of the nation’s greatest literary and artistic voices, from Hunter S. Thompson and Kurt Vonnegut to Joyce Carol Oates and Toni Morrison. Together, Gibbons and Jensen will explore how heritage stories—whether told through the grit of the prizefighting ring or the wisdom of great writers—can spark curiosity and pride in new generations. A compelling session for families, educators, and aspiring storytellers alike.

4 PM – Beyond the Last Estate: Creative Reporting on Contemporary Literature | Readings.

Curated by Gabriel Hart, author, journalist, singer, and editor from Morongo Basin, this print-only magazine champions bold new voices through “creative reporting on contemporary literature.” The session will feature readings from contributors to Beyond the Last Estate such as Omar King, Jardine Libaire, Michael Liska, Matt Pegas, Valerie Stivers, and John Tottenham alongside a discussion on the purpose and future of literary magazines in today’s screen-first world, and what it takes to bring one to life.