Authors Lisa See, Jesse Katz, Denise Hamilton to Headline 9th annual Duarte Festival of Authors, Oct. 8

Authors Lisa See, Jesse Katz, Denise Hamilton to Headline
9th annual Duarte Festival of Authors, Oct. 8

More than 50 Authors to Talk and Sign Books
New York Times Best-Selling Author, Lisa See, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author, Jesse Katz, and award-winning crime writer Denise Hamilton will headline the 9th annual Duarte Festival of Authors on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival will take place in the tree-shaded park at Westminster Gardens, 1420 Santo Domingo Ave. Admission is free.
More than 50 authors will participate in the festival presented by the Friends of the Duarte Library, celebrating its 50th anniversary of community service this year. The Duarte Festival of Authors showcases a rich sampling of the diversity of literary talents who live and work in Southern California, with books to appeal to a wide variety of tastes: fiction and non-fiction, adventure, suspense, romance, travel, mystery, inspirational, spiritual, poetry, educational, historical, young adult and children’s titles.
In addition to talks, panel discussions and book signings all day long, Festival-goers are in for a host of other treats as well with an on-site book store and a choice of food and refreshments served up by two of Los Angeles’ most popular food trucks.

See’s best-selling novel “Snowflower and the Secret Fan” was made into a major motion picture released this year. See will discuss her latest book, “Dreams of Joy” at 3:30 p.m. Katz, a former Los Angeles Times journalist and two-time Pulitzer Prize recipient for his reporting, will speak at 2 p.m. about his highly praised memoir, “The Opposite Field”. Hamilton, whose latest thriller, “Damage Control” was released in September, is also the editor of the mystery anthologies, “Los Angeles Noir” and “Los Angeles Noir 2: The Classics,” named Best Mystery of the Year by the Southern California Independent Booksellers. She will lead a panel with fellow authors and “Noir” contributors Gary Phillips and Jim Pascoe at 12:30 p.m.
Other authors scheduled to appear include: Reyna Grande, a 2010 International Latino Book Award winner for her novel, “Dancing with Butterflies,” Louise Su Tang, “Cantonese Yankee,” whose historical novel opens a window on a forgotten moment of diplomacy between the U.S. and China; and Randy Ertll, “Hope in Times of Darkness – A Salvadoran American Experience”.
John Vorhaus takes his anti-hero, world class con artist, Radar Hoverlander on “The California Roll,” while Adam Chester, “S’Mother,” tells all in a hilarious memoir based on letters from his overprotective mom. Mystery writers appearing will include: Jeff Sherratt, “Detour to Murder;” Gayle Carline, “Hit or Missus;” Teresa Burrell, “The Advocate;” Jenny Hilborne, “Madness and Murder;” Anne Carter, “Cape Seduction;” and Joel Fox, “Lincoln’s Hand”.
Charlene Lewis and Viveca Pearson will appear with their cookbook, “In Honor of Sisterhood – Treasured Family Recipes,” while Dr. Donsha Robinson McClain, warns in her book, “Don’t Wait to Lose Weight! Love Yourself Today.”
Verena Somer, “The Eleven Percent Solution,” Bob Sharpe, “How to be a Network Marketing Millionaire,” and Evelyn Gray, “Simple Organizing Strategies for AD/HD and the Chronically Disorganized,” opine on how to get ahead, while Darlene Merkler offers “The Complete Resource Guide for Baby Boomers” and Ann Garrett and Nancy Goodall, provide parenting advice with “TLC for Frazzled Kids”.

Writers of children and young adult books set to appear include: Phil Drake, “Fat Chance;” Jason Silva, “The Tale of Edgar Trunk;” Justin Ezzi, “Wingo;” Margo Sorenson, “Aloha for Carol Ann;” Candace Frazee, “Hey Aunt Bunny? I Have a Question;” and Chani Warnasuriya, “Peace Tales from Asia”. History and travel to places near and far is the subject of books by Elizabeth Pomeroy, “Pasadena, A Natural History;” Pierre Odier, Cambodia Angkor – A Lasting Legacy;” and Ken McAlpine, Islands Apart: A Year on the Edge of Civilization”.
Further examples of the diversity of authors and books to be represented are Comic book artist, Phillip Victor; James Aguirre, “The Barry Family Legacy,” a personal exploration into one family’s Irish immigrant and Native American roots;” and the inspirational story by Brian Biery, “Power of One”.
Major sponsors in support of the Friends of the Duarte Library for this year’s festival are Southern California Edison Co. and the Pasadena Star News.

For the latest information about the Duarte Festival of Authors, participants and activities, visit the Festival website: www.friendsoftheduartelibrary.com, or call (626) 359-6413.

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