About This Event
Celebrate literature and creative writing at the third annual WordFest OC Literary Festival being held on Thursday, October 15, from 12 to 5:30 p.m. at Saddleback College. The theme for this year's festival is Tracking the Past: Memories, Words & Music.
Poetry, storytelling, writing workshops, panel discussions, and dramatic readings, as well as talks by distinguished authors and musical performers, will be featured. All events will take place in the Health Sciences Building, Room 145 (first floor) or rooms in the Gateway (GW) building.
Attendees may park for free in student parking spaces on the day of the festival but must display a parking permit on their dashboard. Print out the parking permit. The closest lots to the buildings are Lots 9 and 5.
Event Schedule:
12:30 to 1:15 p.m. in HS 145
WordFest OC Writing Contest Awards Ceremony
Winners of the annual contest, which includes high school and college writers from throughout Orange County, read their poems and excerpts from their stories. Access their works on this site. Moderator: Shellie Ochi
12:30-1:15 p.m. in Gateway (GW) 311
Poetry Workshop
Explore the pleasures of invention and lyrical expression in a workshop led by Catherine Hayter. No experience is necessary to immerse yourself in crafting your own verse.
12:30-1:15 p.m. in Gateway (GW) 381
Poetry & Prose Panel Discussion
Poetry and prose are often perceived as distinctly different modes of writing. However, elements of the poetic can often be found in short stories, novels, and nonfiction narratives. Similarly, lines of verse can sometimes resemble a paragraph of prose. Lisa Alvarez and Suki Fisher, practitioners of both modes, will share their insights on the interplay between these forms and the need for writers to keep both in their toolkit.
1:30-2:15 p.m. in HS 145
LAUGHING MATTERS: Iranian American Adventures
Firoozeh Dumas shares humorous insights about her experiences growing up in Southern California after emigrating from Iran. Her best-selling books include Funny in Farsi and Laughing without an Accent. Moderator: Gina Shaffer
1:30-2:15 p.m. in Gateway (GW) 321
Creative Nonfiction WORKSHOP: Beyond the Postcard
Move beyond the typical travel story and learn how to write essays that capture the true character of a place. This workshop, led by Beau Ewan, explores how authenticity, observation, and personal reflection can create travel writing that resonates with readers.
2:30-3:15 p.m. in HS 145
HIDDEN HISTORIES: A Mexican American Odyssey
Desiree Zamorano, author of the novels Dispossessed and The Amado Women, shares fictional narratives inspired by real-life events. Moderator: Erika Zemanek
3:30-4:15 p.m. in HS 145
HOME TRUTHS: Reflections on Chicano Life
Author of two poetry collections, Touch the Sky and Ten Toes in the Earth, Donato Martinez, a professor at Santa Ana College, reads from his works, which explore the barrio experience, bilingual identities, and family life. Moderator: Ray Zimmerman
4:30-5:15 p.m. in HS 145
ROCK, WRITING & RECOVERY
Writer-musicians Jack Grisham (vocalist for True Sounds of Liberty) and Wes Geer (former guitarist for Korn) explore the role of writing and music in recovery from addiction. Moderator: Jennifer Hedgecock