MARCH 28,2026 | 9:00 AM TO 6:00 PM

9:00 – 9:30 AM

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM  |  Coronado Performing Arts Center: Quad Stage 

Gill Sotu Kicks Off the Festival with Spoken Word followed by DJing in the Quad! 

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Gill Sotu kick off this year’s festival! He’ll rock your world. He’s that good! 

9:30 – 10:30 AM  | Coronado Performing Arts Center: Main Stage Theater

Spiritual Writing: Lived Experience & the Supporting Science

PANELISTS: Daniel Branco, Tara Diliberto, Timothy Spenny, Rizwan Virk

MODERATOR: Alan Steinfeld

9:30 – 10:30 AM  |  Coronado Public Library: Winn Room

Talking to Writers: Interview Workshop with Writers Symposium by the Sea founder and legendary interviewer, Dean Nelson

Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the best interviewers in the business. Founder of Writers Symposium by the Sea, Dean Nelson, has interviewed dozens of the most notable writers of our time, including Anthony Doerr, Alice Walker, R.F. Kuang, Anne Lammot, Amor Towles, and Mitch Albom. Author of the classic, Talk To Me, and two versions of How to Talk to Writers (for fiction and nonfiction), he will share tips, techniques, and wisdom gleaned from years of conversations.

9:30 – 10:30 AM  |  Multi Purpose Room 400

Perfect Pitch: Everything You Need to Know About the Querying Process

Presented by: Lyn Liao Butler

You’ve got a manuscript that’s ready to go and it’s time to find an agent. Suddenly you face query letters, synopses, 10-page excerpts, partials, fulls, manuscript wish lists and varying submission requirements. In this workshop, Lyn Liao Butler, author of bestselling upmarket fiction, thrillers, and rom-coms, will give you the information you need to get started—and get to yes.

9:30 – 10:30 AM  |  Black Box Theater

Funny, Not Funny: Authors read from Shaking the Tree Vol 7

9:30 – 10:30 AM  |  Room 201

Removing the Hurdles: How to End Procrastination and Enjoy Writing More

PRESENTER: Steven Kiernan

Ready to rellight your artistic spark? Ready to shet procrastination habits and dive into your creativity? In this interactive workshop, award-winning writer, novelist, and former Breadloaf staff member Stephen Kiernan will share tips and techniques (and the research behind them) to get you back in your seat and rediscover the joy in your work.

9:30 – 10:30 AM  |  ROOM 509

The Debut Experience: Four Authors on What They Learned and What They Wish They’d Known

PANELISTS: Danielle Bruno Baldwin, Lisa Cheek, Rossana D’Antonio, Elizabeth Delozier

MODERATOR: Matt Pallamary

The publication of an author’s first book is filled with exhilaration, anxiety, surprise, and disappointment. It can feel like both the satisfying culmination of a journey and as if you are navigating a new world without a map—at the same time. Come hear from four debut authors about their debut experiences and how to make the most of yours.

9:30 – 10:30 AM  |  ROOM 504

Promptapalooza

PRESENTED BY: Kristen Fogle

A perennial classic. Join Kristen Fogle, executive director of San Diego Writers, Ink, and author of multiple books on writing, as she gives you prompts and holds space for you to get your creative juices flowing. No

11:00 – 12:00 PM  | Coronado Performing Arts Center: Main Stage Theater

Dare to Care: Writing that Changes Hearts and Minds

David Ambroz in conversation with Anastasia Zadeik

Join David Ambroz and Anastasia Zadeik as they talk about David’s memoir, A Place Called Home—a personal story that, as Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle wrote, “will take your breath away” More than simply a book, A Place Called Home is a “compelling call to action, urging readers to move beyond sympathy and advocate for meaningful change.”

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11:00 – 12:00 PM  | Coronado Public Library: Winn Room

Unfinished: The Role of the Artist in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Lucas Cantor Santiago in conversation with Marni Freedman

Come hear from the composer who finished Franz Schubert’s unfinished symphony. Composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, Emmy Award winner, and author, Lucas Cantor Santiago, will be discussing his book, Unfinished, “an engaging and refreshingly optimistic meditation on the role of technology in music and the arts . . . [that] provides an informed perspective on what is lost, but what we also gain when we bring our machines ever further into the creation of art in its many different forms.” What is the current role of AI in the arts? Where do we go from here? Join us and add your own questions!

11:00 – 12:00 PM  |  Coronado Public Library: Grand Room

Writer Identity: Moving beyond race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation

PANELISTS: Rafael Agustin, Gemma Baker, Jeanell English, Christine Pride MODERATOR: Laura Cathcart-Robbins

11:00 – 12:00 PM  | Multi-Purpose Room, Bldg 400

The Art of Fear

PANELISTS: KC Grifant, Justin Key, Jonathan Maberry, Lilliam Rivera

MODERATOR: Dennis Crosby

11:00 – 12:00 PM  |  Black Box Theatre

All the World’s a Stage: Playwriting Tips from Award-Winning Teaching Artists

PANELISTS: Shairi Engle, Phil Johnson, Gill Sotu

MODERATOR: Katie Harroff

11:00 – 12:00 PM  |  ROOM 201

Our Stories, Our Home: Filipino-American Authors on Writing for Kids

PANELISTS: Rachell Abalos, Tracy Badua, Jaimie Aurelio Trembley

MODERATOR: Monica Fernandez

With books spanning the entire kidlit spectrum, from picture book to YA, these authors will discuss how they weave cultural heritage and identity into their narratives, their thoughts on the immense joy and important responsibility of crafting stories for future generations, and.the unique challenges and triumphs of writing for different age categories The panel will offer extremely valuable advice to aspiring writers as well as deep dive into the world of Filipino-American literature. 

11:00 – 12:00 PM  |  ROOM 509

I’m Still Here: Writing Trauma into Healing

PANELISTS: Andrea Leeb, Mimi Nichter, Bridey Thelen-Heidel

MODERATOR: Gina Simmons Schneider 

Memoir can be cathartic and provide healing, but the writing of one’s own story can present emotional, psychological, and relational challenges, both for the author and for the people in their lives. Join psychologist Gina Simmons-Schnieder and three memoirists as they discuss their memoir journeys and the aftermath of putting their stories out into the world.

12:30 – 1:30 PM  |  Main Stage Theatre

Dare to Manifest Your Brightest Future

Katherine Woodward Thomas in conversation with Marni Freedman

Katherine Woodward Thomas, the award-winning licensed psychotherapist and recognized pioneer in transformational psychology who brought us Conscious Uncoupling, talks with festival co-founder Marni Freedman about her new book, What’s True About You. Join us for a riveting and enlightening conversation about Dr. Thomas’s seven-step method for transforming your view of yourself and your future.

12:30- 1:30 PM  |  Coronado Public Library: Grand Room

So You Want to Give a TEDx Talk: The Pitch, the Prep, and the Presentation

PANELISTS: Madhushree Ghosh, Jesse Leon, Irena Smith

MODERATOR: Bridey Thelen-Heidel

If you’ve ever dreamed of presenting a TEDx talk, this event is for you. Four TEDx presenters will give provide insight and advice on the how-tos of honing your message for the pitch and presentation, and how to make the most of your experience on stage.

12:30- 1:30 PM  |  Black Box Theatre

Don’t Blink: Horror Everywhere

Luke Dumas and Jonathan Maberry

If you are into horror, thrillers, and suspense, this conversation is for you. What’s behind the resurgence of horror novels? How do writers come up with the terrifying ideas that keep their readers up at night, and how have those ideas changed over time? Where are these genres headed, and how can writers get their work into the world? Join two bestselling, award-winning authors (both of whom have works in development for TV/film) as they discuss their latest books and all things that go bump in the night.

12:30 – 1:30 PM  |  Room 509

Paper Portals, the Power of Setting, Place, and Dreamscape Through Poetic Practice

Christy Lee Barnes

1:00 – 2:00 PM  |  Room 201

Getting to the Green Light: Screenwriters Share Their Stories

PANELISTS: Rafael Agustin, Gemma Baker, Cheryl Guerriero

MODERATOR: Merridee Book 

Whether you are new to screenwriting or have multiple screenplays under your belt, this panel is for anyone interested in turning words on a page into images on a screen. Join the writers behind Jane the Virgin, Palmer, Mom, The Replacements, and Two and a Half Men, along with the CEO and Artistic Director of the Coronado Island Film Festival for what promises to be a lively, informative discussion of what it takes to get your work produced.

1:00 – 2:00 PM  | Multi-Purpose Room, Bldg 400

Understanding Publishing Options: Book Sherpas to Big Five and Everything in Between

PANELISTS: Monica Fernandez, Tammy Greenwood, Holly Kammier, and Jeniffer Thompson

MODERATOR: Lee Wind

Authors have more options than ever when it comes to choosing a publishing path. Join five industry experts as they present the pros and cons of everything from book sherpas who can guide an author through self-publishing, to signing with a hybrid, to working with an agent to find a small independent publisher or a Big Five imprint. You’re sure to leave with a deeper understanding of how to determine the path that’s right for you.

1:00 – 2:00 PM  |  Coronado Public Library Winn Room

Never Can Say Goodbye: Navigating the Sacred Space Between Life and Death

Darnell Lamont Walker with Lisa Deaderick

1:00 – 2:00 PM  |  Room 504

Let Your Passion Light Your Future

Presented by: Zoe Ghahremani

In a world where nothing is certain and the competition seems so high, Zoe will share her inspiring story. In her own words, “How could the self-published novel of an unknown author with an unpronounceable name make it to the top?” Her contagious positivity and years of experience will help you to believe in yourself and go forward with utmost confidence.

2:30 – 3:30 PM  | Coronado Performing Arts Center: Main Stage Theater

Dare to Dream: Jodi Picoult with Marni Freedman and Anastasia Zadeik 

JODI PICOULT in conversation with festival co-founders, Marni Freedman and Anastasia Zadeik. Come listen in as Jodi discusses her latest book, By Any Other Name, her research and writing practices, and her advocacy for “intellectual freedom and the freedom to read.”

2:30 – 3:30 PM  | Room 201

The “One Minute” Workshop: Industry Experts Help Shape Your Elevator Pitch

PANELISTS: Lyn Liao Butler, Jennifer Coburn, Kristen McGuinness, Jane Ubell

What’s your story about? can be one of the most difficult questions to answer, particularly if you need to do it in a minute or less—but this is one of the pitching tools you need in your toolbox. Come work with four industry experts on what makes an ideal elevator pitch and practice giving it.

2:30 – 3:30 PM  |  Coronado Public Library Winn Room

End of Days – Ruby Ridge, the Apocalypse, and the Unmaking of America

Chris Jennings with Dean Nelson

The rise in Christian nationalism, conspiracy theories, and the widening of the political divide have roots going back decades. Join the founder of Writer’s Symposium of the Sea and legendary interviewer, Dean Nelson, for a conversation with Chris Jennings, author of End of Days: Ruby Ridge, the Apocalypse, and the Unmaking of America, of which the New York Times Book Review said, ““A riveting and thoroughly researched chronicle…reminiscent of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood.”

2:30 – 3:30 PM  |  Room 509

Fantasy + Hot Romance = Romantasy That’ll Keep You Up All Night

PANELISTS: Sara Hashem, Sunya Mara, and Foz Meadows

MODERATOR: Nicole Paquin 

One of the hottest genres today, Romantasy is romance, fantasy, and a bit of spice. Join four popular Romantasy authors as they share what makes their worlds shine, their characters pop, and their chemistry simmer or boil over.

2:30 – 3:30 PM  |  Multi Purpose Room 400

SDPA Featured Poets (Selected Poets Read Their Work)

Jane Muschenetz, Michael Klam, Carly Marie DeMento, Karla Cordero

2:30 – 3:30 PM  |  Black Box Theatre 

Books to Film: Writers on Making the Jump from Page to Screen

PANELISTS: Keith Corbin, Jeanell English, Justin Key, Matt Quirk

MODERATOR: Jeanell English/TBA

Many an author dreams of seeing their book turned into a movie or series, and many a Netflix binger has wondered how the original story was concieved. Find out what really happens when a book is optioned or acquired for adaptation, how much of the story changes, and what it’s like to watch your work morph from page to screen.

4:00 – 5:00 PM  | Room 201

Based on a True Story: Historical Fiction Writers on Bringing the Past to Life

PANELISTS: Maria Dolores Aguila, Jennifer Coburn, Jill G. Hall, Janell Strube

MODERATOR: Stephen Kiernan 

One of the most popular genres for decades, Historical Fiction gives readers a glimpse of real people, places, and events, often lost to time. Come listen in as four writers describe where their ideas come from, how they conduct their research, and what they hope readers will take away from their stories.

4:00 – 5:00 PM  | Room 509

On Love: Failed Fairytales, Complex Realities, and Finding Yourself

PANELISTS: Bonnie Comfort, Deb Miller, Zoe Shaw, Katherine Woodward Thomas

Moderator: Marijke McCandless

Though HEA is often considered a foundational trope in literature, IRL, love is complicated and something many of us struggle to find and maintain. Four female writers speak to how relationships shape us and the power of the most important relationship you’ll ever have—the one you have with yourself.

4:00 – 5:00PM  |  Coronado Public Library Winn Room

Set Yourself Up to Make Your Publishing Dreams Come True: An Insider’s Perspective

Chistine Pride with Laura Cathcart Robbins

Don’t miss this opportunity to listen in on a conversation with author, editor, and long-time publishing veteran, Christine Pride, about how writers can best position themselves for success. Not just for writers, Christine will provide the fly-on-the-wall perspective of the publishing industry that writers (and readers) seldom get to hear.

4:00 – 5:00 PM  |  Multi Purpose Room 400

Glassless Minds Poetry Open Mic

Glassless Minds 

4:00 – 5:00 PM  |  Black Box Theatre

Mystery Authors Writng Across Genres

PANELISTS: AC Adams, Dennis Crosby, Gary Phillips, Caitlin Rother

MODERATOR: Matt Coyle