Written by:
Lesley Seacrist
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this Issue of Curve:
Vol. 17#1
It takes a lot more than the sun to keep Palm Springs, Calif. hot all the winter.
The first annual Palm Springs Lesbian Book Festival is sure to heat up the desert. From February 14 through February 17th, desert-dwelling women will be leaving the the shade of their poolside palm trees and taking it inside to listen to some of the best authors in the business.
“For gays and lesbians, our fiction is so critical to document what our life is, but also to create the images of what our lives can be,” said Radclyffe, who in 2004 established Bold Strokes Books.
Bold Strokes Books, one of the largest lesbian fiction publishing houses in the world, will partner sponsorship with Casitas Laquita, one of the region’s most gay-friendly resorts, to bring the haunting secrets, the intriguing nights of romance and tales of lust-turned-heartache to fans from all over the country.
However, it is the local businesses of Palm Springs that are doing all the ground work to kick off this inaugural three-day festival to make it a memorable permanent tradition that brings a bit more mystery, romance or lustful intrigue to the desert community.
“I would actually find some books in the rooms after the women have checked-out and I said ’hmm,’” said Joanna Funaro, co-owner of Casita Laquita Resort. “ Then my vision would be to have a festival to attract the same group like Dinah Shore, but that would revolve around literature.”
Initially, the event was going to be held in the wine cellar of Casitas Laquita, but due to the outstanding response and a filled up reservation book, the festival will branch out to local venues. The readings will begin in the Palm Springs Library, but will also we held at Dezart One Gallery and the Peppertree Bookstore.
A collection of eight authors will be reading from a selection of newly released books and some favorite oldies. There will be also music entertainment, featuring the Sassy Sisters and wine and cheese tasting throughout the festival.
Radclyffe will read her new book, When Dreams Tremble. During the nightly hour and a half event she probably will read for about five to six minutes, answer curious questions from the audience and then sign some fans’ copies. But, what gets translated to the readers is a lot more than some captivating affair.
“The ’story’ is just the vehicle for exploring universal themes with which every reader can identify,” said Radclyffe. “ Our books celebrate these aspect of our lives as lesbians while reinforcing strong, positive images of the lesbian experience.”
For more information on sponsors and scheduled authors, check out these links:
www.casitaslaquita.com
www.boldstrokesbooks.com/events.html
www.andrewsauston.com
www.jenniferfulton.com
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