Summer Festival Days
Thank you to all our speakers, volunteers, and everyone who joined us for our Summer Festival Days. You can still watch the sessions from all four days by clicking the buttons below.
We are so grateful for all of you for your support as we transitioned from in-person to online! Because of YOU, it was a huge success and more than 6,000 people checked in to see what's shaking in San Diego! We have more planned, so be sure to sign up for our mailing list to Get Updates (scroll down to find that).
Click each day (below) to watch individual sessions.
Day 3 Videos
Events Sponsored by:
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Hullabaloo Concert Dance and sing your heart out! Join us as Hullabaloo delights the crowd with their cool collection of folk, funk, and rock! Full of humor, positive messages, and good ole-fashioned fun – Come out for a good time! (Target Audience: Children) |
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Story-Time with San Diego KidLit Authors PRESENTERS: Chris Baron (5), Kathleen Krull (5), Jen Laffler (5), Virginia Loh-Hagan (5), Michael Mahin (5), and Sally J. Pla (5) The show must go on! San Diego KidLit authors read-aloud their children’s books in this story-time power-hour. Bring your own lunch and snacks. Come listen to several authors share their wonderful stories with you. (Target Audience: Children) |
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StoryTime with San Diego Zoo Global Press PRESENTERS: Carrie Hasler and Georgeanne Irvine The San Diego Writer’s Festival is bringing the world-famous San Diego Zoo to you. Come listen to Carrie Hasler and Georgeanne Irvine read aloud from their books inspired by the animals from our zoo! They will share heartwarming tales of animals who survived challenges and thrived under the loving care of humans. San Diego Zoo Global Press is the book publishing division of San Diego Zoo Global which is committed to leading the fight against extinction. (Target Audience: Children) |
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KidLit Panel: Women in the the KidLit Business PRESENTERS: Deborah Halverson, Carrie Hasler, Georgeanne Irvine, Kathleen Krull (Moderator: Virginia Loh-Hagan) Like in many other professional fields, women in KidLit tend to still be behind male KidLit writers in regard to money (advances and royalties), publicity, and star power. In this girl power panel, come hear KidLit women authors share their experiences and provide tips for how women in KidLit can be supported and promoted. (Target Audience: Adults) |
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KidLit Panel – Writing about Difference PRESENTERS: Chris Baron, Andrea J. Loney, Michael Mahin, and Sally J. Pla (Moderator: Virginia Loh-Hagan) Books for children matter. All kids need to see themselves reflected and represented in their stories. In this panel, KidLit authors will discuss what diversity and difference means – evolving a definition that goes beyond ethnic and cultural identities. They will also discuss the trends and challenges of writing about difference in KidLit. (Target Audience: Adults) |
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KidLit Panel – Wanna Write KidLit? Lessons Learned from SCBWI PRESENTERS: Patricia Buckley, Deborah Halverson, Debra Schmidt, and Janice Yuwiler (Moderator: Virginia Loh-Hagan) Wanna write KidLit? It’s a lot harder than you think! Come learn from experts from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. SCBWI-San Diego chapter leaders will share how SCBWI supports the work of KidLit authors. They will also give tips for writing KidLit. The panel will discuss misconceptions about KidLit and share how to use the organization to your advantage. There will be a lot of time for Q & A. (Target Audience: Adults) |
In Partnership with:
SDWF Author + Speaker Spotlight
The End of My Life Is Killing Me: How A Humorist Copes With Existential Despair
Annabelle Gurwitch, actress, humorist, essayist, storyteller, and New York Times bestselling author of six books, has released a new book, The End of My Life Is Killing Me (Zibby Books, 2026). Released in March, the book is already a national bestseller. The inciting...
Author Interview with Anne Lamott and Neal Allen
Good Writing 36 Ways to Improve Your Sentences Written By: Neal Allen and Anne Lamott Filled with enlightening practical tips that change the way we look at language, writing, sentence structure, and the finished pieces we send out into the world, Good Writing and its...
Sponsor Interview: Daniel Branco
1) When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer, and what has your path looked like to get here? For many years, I wanted to write a book. I felt like I had so much to say and share, but the theme of the book wasn't very clear to me. My dad has written...
2019 Recap
We are so proud of 2019 and the storytelling community in San Diego. 2020 is well under way with a fantastic line-up of speakers and educators who will seriously know your socks off. See you on April 4th in Coronado!
Festival Sponsors:
