Hundreds of people converged on the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center for Literary Women’s annual Long Beach Festival of Authors this weekend, which brought together female authors and avid readers.
The festival is organized by the group Literary Women, which was established in 1982 as a way to spotlight a diverse group of both established and debut female writers whose books span a range of topics and genres.
Attendees peruse books written by participating authors at the annual Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees listen to writer Barbara Remick as she discusses her latest book, “Daughters of the Bamboo Grove,” at the Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Writer and journalist Barbara Remick discusses her latest book “Daughters of the Bamboo Grove” at the Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Writer Karissa Chen discusses her book “Homeseeking” at the Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees fill the ballroom for the sold-out Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees check out some of the books written by the guest speakers at this year’s Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees fill the ballroom for the sold-out Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Emerging writer Julia Ainley of Fullerton, a student at Chapman University, stands as she is recognized at the Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Writer Nayantara Roy, a Silver Lake resident, hosts a breakout session at the annual Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees fill the ballroom for the sold-out Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees peruse books written by participating authors at the annual Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Books by this year’s guest speakers are displayed at the annual Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Attendees peruse books written by participating authors at the annual Literary Women Festival of Authors on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The 44th festival lineup Saturday, March 7, consisted of seven authors sharing their books:
Karissa Chen, “Homeseeking”
Barbara Demick, “Daughters of the Bamboo Grove”
Claire Hoffman, “Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple-McPherson”
Amanda Peters, “Waiting for the Long Night Moon”
Nayantara Roy, “The Magnificent Ruins”
Anamely Salgado Reyes, “My Mother Cursed My Name”
Rufi Thorpe, “Margo’s Got Money Troubles”
Attendees had the opportunity to listen to the authors speak in the Convention Center’s main ballroom, as well as in more intimate settings during breakout sessions. The festival also included a bookstore where people could purchase the books being highlighted and browse other publications recommended by Literary Women.