Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, April 28-29, 2007

[Naomi Hirahara]

No, I'm not formally associated with the LAT Festival of Books and have never been on a panel, but I've been faithfully attending this event annually as both a reader and writer since its inception some twelve years ago. The list of panelists is out-- http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/authorlist.html--but it doesn't include the rest of us signing in various booths. (That's where the real action is.)

A bunch of us on crimespace--Brett Battles, Sue Ann Jaffarian, Alex Sokoloff, Christa Faust, Stephen Blackmore, etc.--live in L.A., so we can probably be of some assistance to you out-of-towners making the trek to La-La land. So if you have questions about where to get the best affordable sushi in the area (Sawtelle, of course!), where to park, or just how this whole thing works, post your questions here and one of us might be able to answer.

BTW, the Mystery Bookstore in Westwood will be having its annual Friday night party on April 27. This year the Southern California chapter of MWA will be cosponsoring the event, so it may be even bigger than usual.

[Naomi Hirahara]

Sorry, the link got messed up:

http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/authorlist.html

[Naomi Hirahara]

Good to note, Stephen. This year will be much worse than previous years, with
the closure of Ticketmaster outlets like Tower Records. I'll give a hint to some
folks--go to Ticketmasters in more immigrant, non-English speaking
communities (i.e. Monterey Park). I'm wondering if the tickets are available
in towns outside of Southern California.

The festival actually does reserve some "day of" seats--you can try to snag
some at the on-campus booths or wait in the stand-by lines. But you do waste
precious time in line, but you can always be reading a book!

[Naomi Hirahara]

Hey, Anthony--

Be prepared for a mind-blowing time. And see if you can get tickets for at least
one or two panels/interviews beforehand. I don't know when you're getting into
L.A., but you can get the schedule online or buy the April 22nd issue of the
L.A. Times. You can get into less popular panels later in the week. If that all
fails, you can always go to the outdoor readings (no tickets necessary).

Have any questions for either Stephen or me?

[Mark Baker]

I've been going for years but just went to my first panel this last year. Usually, I spend my time wandering the booths bothering authors.

It's one of the highlights of the year.

Only four weeks, but I'm not counting or anything.

[Naomi Hirahara]

Hey, Mark--

Didn't recognize you without the glasses and the "carstairs." Doesn't it make a big
difference to go to a panel? It's like the anchors to the whole big ship.

[Mark Baker]

I enjoyed the panel, but if I don't go to one, I'd still have a great time.

Glasses. But I've never had a picture up with me with glasses. :)

Mark
aka Carstairs38

[Naomi Hirahara]

Oh, press passes. I remember them. You've preregistered? If not, do so now:

http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/mediacenter.html

A lot of your media questions can be answered via the website. The panels are kind of run like Disneyland--a tight ship, no standing room. At least 15-30 minutes before the panel, two lines will have already formed. The one on the left, folks with tickets; the one on the right, stand-by. Depending on the popularity of the panel, it may be a couple dozen people deep or it may wrap around the building. In other words, I would be on time. Again the events on the outdoor stages, Barnes & Noble, Target, etc., are much more informal. You can come and go as you please.

[Naomi Hirahara]

Stan's is still there. There's also an In and Out hamburger place in Westwood.

[Mark Baker]

In and Out is highly overrated. Don't waste your time getting their tasteless food.

MinorityOpinionMark