Tahoe Literary Festival

10:00am PDT

Plot and Subplot: The Hidden Architecture of Story

Saturday October 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Many manuscripts suffer from a surprising problem: they have a plot, but no effective subplots. Yet the most memorable novels use secondary storylines not as decoration, but as engines that deepen character, heighten conflict, and generate crucial turning points.

In this craft talk, novelist Jessica Levine explores how plot and subplot interact to create narrative momentum. Drawing on examples from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, she shows how seemingly secondary stories—such as Lydia Bennet's elopement or Myrtle Wilson's affair—ultimately reshape the destinies of the protagonists and drive the main narrative toward its crisis and resolution.

Writers and readers alike will gain a deeper understanding of narrative structure and leave with practical tools for recognizing, developing, and strengthening the subplot dynamics that give fiction both emotional resonance and structural power.

Speakers

Jessica Levine

Jessica Levine is the award-winning author of The Cousins Series, including Three Cousins (2025), The Geometry of Love, and Nothing Forgotten. The series was a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and both The Geometry of Love and Nothing Forgotten were named Booklist... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Gatekeeper's Museum Library 130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City

Craft Talk

11:15am PDT

Humor Writing

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT

Gatekeeper's Museum Upstairs (no elevator)

What makes readers laugh and why is humor often one of the most challenging forms of writing? Join Tim Hauserman and Tim Disney for a conversation on the craft of writing humor, from finding comedy in everyday life to using satire to expose larger truths. They'll explore how vulnerability, timing, voice, and perspective shape memorable comedic writing, sharing examples from their own work along the way. Whether you're writing fiction, memoir, essays, or satire, attendees will gain practical techniques for developing humor that feels authentic, engaging, and meaningful. Expect lively discussion, insightful readings, and plenty of laughs.

Speakers

Tim Disney

Tim Disney is an artist and entrepreneur from Los Angeles. He has produced, written, or directed multiple award-winning feature ﬁlms and documentaries, which have appeared at Sundance, Telluride, SXSW, and other festivals. He served as Chairman and CEO of Virtual World Entertainment... Read More →

Tim Hauserman

Tim Hauserman is the author of The Official Guide to the Tahoe Rim Trail as well as Going it Alone: Ramblings and Reflections from the Trail. He is a freelance writer who has penned over 100 articles for a number of different publications. He is a nearly lifelong resident of Tahoe... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Gatekeeper's Museum Upstairs (no elevator) 130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City

Craft Talk

11:15am PDT

Reluctant Sales: 3 Marketing Moves for Writers Who'd Rather Be Writing

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT

Tahoe City Library

Most writers would rather do anything besides sell their books. No thanks to being pushy or constant rejections. This session reframes the marketing work: selling from a place of curiosity and helpfulness is just connecting a reader to a book they'll love. The presenter will lay out three marketing moves a writer can do directly, with or without a publisher: getting into reader book clubs, onto regional bookstore shelves, as well as in retailers besides bookstores, such as enthusiasts' stores and museum gift shops. We'll go through the marketing playbook: which directories book clubs use to find their next reads, the anatomy of a winning sell sheet, displays that sell for you and the calculation on how print-on-demand copies can out-earn royalties. Attendees leave with a system, first steps, and proof from local writers already using these moves.

Speakers

Lisa Kirkman

Lisa Kirkman writes literary fiction from the Lake Tahoe area, where she landed after a thirty-year career in marketing and journalism. A sixth-generation Californian, she writes short stories and a novel rooted in her family's long history in the state, and is at work seeking agent... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Tahoe City Library 740 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City

Craft Talk, All Genres

11:15am PDT

Scene: The Essential Building Block of Story: Fiction, Memoir, Playwriting

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT

Gatekeeper's Museum Library

Whether we’re playwrights or writers of fiction or memoir, we’re up to the same thing, which is building a story. And stories, no matter the form or genre, unfold scene by scene. In this workshop, we’ll talk about what we mean by “scene,” and cover its essential elements. Then, with the help of published examples, we’ll examine how a variety of writers put these ideas to work: we’ll look at character, and character needs, the importance of setting and activity, as well as the power inherent in inanimate objects. We’ll also address point of view and sense of place, and a few pointers about effective dialogue. Targeted prompts allow you to put theory into practice, so you can confidently incorporate these ideas into your writing.

Speakers

Sands Hall

Sands Hall—author, professor, theatre artist, singer-songwriter—is the author of the award-winning memoir, Reclaiming My Decade Lost in Scientology (Counterpoint Press); Blackstone Audio produced the audio book, read by the author. Other publications include prize-winning essays... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Gatekeeper's Museum Library 130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City

Craft Talk, All Genres

12:30pm PDT

Confronting the System, Reclaiming the Self: Fiction as Liberation

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

Gatekeeper's Museum Upstairs (no elevator)

This panel discussion examines how genre fiction can serve as a catalyst for personal and collective redemption.

Join authors Miles Whitney (Midlife Musical) and Dr. Nicholas Louis Baham III (The People’s Detective) with moderation by Afro-surrealist writer and revolutionary thinker, CJ Spears for an engaging session demonstrating how writers can use external conflicts to map out internal character reawakenings, Midlife Musical and expose under-reported societal injustices.

Attendees will hear about the Authors narrative techniques for creating the psychology of their characters. Writers will learn how to embed themes of resilience, and identity directly into readable plots.

Speakers

Nicholas Baham III

Dr. Nicholas Louis Baham III, Ph.D. is a Professor of Ethnic Studies at California State University, East Bay and an internationally recognized scholar of Black Studies. He has appeared in such wide-ranging publications and media outlets as Esquire magazine; BBC world service documentary... Read More →

CJ Spears

Chasejamison Akilah Manar-Spears is an imaginative writer who was born and raised in the Bay Area. Their words bloom at the intersection of poetry, afro-surrealism, and science fiction. As a Yoga teacher and revolutionary thinker, they are nourished by bodies of knowledge that express... Read More →

Miles Whitney

Miles Whitney is a queer, trans, Jewish attorney based in Sacramento, California. As a research attorney for the trial court, Miles channels his passion for justice into both his legal work and his creative writing. After the unexpected loss of his daughter, Isabel, in 2022, Miles... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Gatekeeper's Museum Upstairs (no elevator) 130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City

Craft Talk, Fiction

12:30pm PDT

Food Writing: Telling Stories Through Taste

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

Tahoe Wine Collective

Food is never just what's on the plate—it carries memory, identity, culture, and connection. In this interactive workshop, authors Gabrielle Meyers and Dianne Reeves Angel explore the art of transformin the culi arts into story. Through discussion, examples, and writing prompts, participants will discover how sensory detail, place, and personal experience can bring food to life on the page. Whether you're writing memoir, fiction, essays, travel or restaurant stories, or food journalism, you'll gain practical techniques and fresh inspiration to create vivid, engaging narratives that resonate long after the last bite.

Speakers

Dianne Reeves Angel

Presenter

Dianne Reeves Angel is the author of Every Restaurant Tells a Story: Tales of Film, Food and Fabulous Misadventures, published by Lost Telegram Press, losttelegrampress.com, in December 2025. The book is available in softcover, ebook, and audiobook formats.
Angel’s career has be... Read More →

Gabrielle Myers

Gabrielle is a former chef and the author of Hive-Mind, a memoir, the poetry books Too Many Seeds (2021), Break Self: Feed (2024), Points in the Network (2025), Go Forth: Lose Yourself into Life (2026) and the forthcoming La Ruta es Clara (Fall 2026). Her publications... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Tahoe Wine Collective 760 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City

Craft Talk, All Genres

12:30pm PDT

From Manuscript to Momentum: Social Media Strategies for Authors

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

Gatekeeper's Museum Library

Publishing a book is only the beginning. Discover how to use social media as a powerful storytelling tool to build your author brand, connect with readers, and create lasting engagement without feeling overwhelmed. This interactive workshop explores practical strategies for choosing the right platforms, creating content that reflects your voice, growing an authentic community, and turning online connections into loyal readers. Attendees will also learn how to increase visibility through media opportunities and collaborations that extend beyond social media. Participants will leave with actionable ideas, a simple content framework, and the confidence to promote their work consistently while spending less time wondering what to post and more time writing.

Speakers

Patrick Storm

Patrick Storm is the founder of Lemon Tree Agency LLC, where he helps authors, artists, nonprofits, and small businesses tell compelling stories that connect with audiences. With more than 20 years of experience in public relations and social media marketing, he has secured media... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Gatekeeper's Museum Library 130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City

Craft Talk, All Genres

12:30pm PDT

The Art of Brevity

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

Gatekeeper's Basket Room

In flash fiction, the whole is a part and the part is a whole. The form forces the writer to
question each word, to reckon with Flaubert’s mot juste, and move a story by hints and
implications. Flash stories are built through gaps as much as the connective tissue of words,
so what’s left out of a story is often more important than what’s included.

In this workshop, Grant Faulkner, co-founder of 100 Word Story and the author of The Art of
Brevity—will discuss how a different type of creativity emerges within a hard compositional
limit, exploring the many different forms that short shorts can take.

Speakers

Grant Faulkner

Grant Faulkner is the co-founder of Memoir Nation (and also the co-host of the Memoir Nation podcast), the co-founder of the Flash Fiction Institute, the co-founder of 100 Word Story, and an executive producer on America’s Next Great Author. He was also Executive Director of National... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Gatekeeper's Basket Room 130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145

Craft Talk, Fiction

12:30pm PDT

What I Learned from Being My Own Book Publicist

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

The Understory by Wonderwood Books

When Sarah Flocken got a book deal for her debut novel Be Well, it wasn't just a lifelong publishing dream come true. It was the moment her two worlds crashed together. Sarah, a public relations business owner by day, had just signed her most significant, demanding, critical, and honestly neurotic client yet: herself.

The imposter syndrome was real. But she ended up creating a PR plan that led to her breaking her publisher’s previous pre-order sales record.

In this workshop, participants will learn some of Sarah’s hard-earned lessons from experience, including whether or not to try to be a BookTok influencer, and what to prioritize based on your genre, audience, and personality

By the end, every participant with a book to promote will leave with a better sense of how to create a publicity plan for themselves, whether they’re working with a pro or (gulp) doing it on their own.

Speakers

Sarah Flocken

Sarah Flocken is an author who writes unhinged fiction for the silently enraged. Publishers Weekly has said her debut novel Be Well, which is set in 2009 during the aftermath of the Great Recession, "provides laugh-out-loud moments in an era known for its bleakness." By day, she is the founder of SLH Communications, a public relations consultancy. She is also a comedian, improviser, and pun contest host (yes, competi... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
The Understory by Wonderwood Books

Craft Talk, All Genres

1:45pm PDT

Grantwriting for Literary Artists

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT

Gatekeeper's Museum Upstairs (no elevator)

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your funding strategy, this hands-on session will walk you through a clear, practical system for researching, writing, and managing grants. Learn how to identify the right opportunities, align your project with funder priorities, and craft compelling proposals that stand out.

This session also explores how to use AI tools to evaluate and rate your grant responses—helping you revise drafts, strengthen clarity and persuasiveness, and align your answers with funder criteria.

Attendees will learn practical and actionable recommendations for finding and assessing funding opportunities, key strategies for persuasive proposal writing, best practices for budgeting, documentation, and reporting and tips for editing, storytelling and making your case for support.

Speakers

Jenny Darlington-Person

Jenny Darlington-Person is the Executive Director of the Arts Council of Placer County and a development consultant for InConcert Sierra. A former attorney and law professor of 17 years, Jenny traded the courtroom for the arts in 2018, subsequently leading teams to raise over $6.5... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Gatekeeper's Museum Upstairs (no elevator) 130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City

Craft Talk

3:00pm PDT

Beyond the Book Deal: Navigating the Obstacles of a Literary Life

Saturday October 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Gatekeeper's Basket Room

You've finished the manuscript. Now the publishing journey begins. From querying agents and surviving rejection to finding alternative paths to publication and building a sustainable writing career, this panel offers an honest look at what it really takes to become a published author. Three accomplished writers share the setbacks, surprises, and hard-won lessons behind their careers, revealing that perseverance, adaptability, and community are just as important as talent. Whether you're pursuing traditional publishing or exploring other avenues, you'll leave with practical strategies, realistic expectations, and renewed confidence to navigate the road ahead.

Speakers

Jennifer Dickinson

Jennifer Dickinson grew up in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She attended Hollins University, a women’s college in Virginia, where she developed her passion for storytelling and fell in love with the power of theater. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and dogs, and she spends... Read More →

Nicole Maggi

Nicole Maggi is the author of the award-winning National Park Mystery Series, beginning with A MURDER IN ZION, winner of the 2025 FOREWORD Reviews Gold Medal and the 2025 IBPA Silver Medal for Best Mystery, and following with LOST IN YELLOWSTONE. Both books garnered effusive praise... Read More →

Cecilia Rabess

Cecilia Rabess is a writer and data scientist whose work has appeared in Vogue, The Wall Street Journal, McSweeney’s, and FiveThirtyEight, to name a few. She lives in Olympic Valley, CA with her family. Everything’s Fine is her debut novel... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Gatekeeper's Basket Room 130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145

Craft Talk, All Genres

3:00pm PDT

Songwriting Workshop

Saturday October 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Tahoe Wine Collective

A generative songwriting workshop centered on the edge of feeling, where emotion is still forming and songs begin before they have words or shape. Together we will identify a “seed,” a memory, emotion, image, or fragment of truth, and develop it into a songwriting starting point. Through guided prompts and group exercises, we will explore how to translate experience into lyrics using both direct and indirect language. You will leave with a starting point to continue writing from, along with practical tools for shaping raw feeling into the beginning of a song.

Speakers

Brian Laidlaw

Brian Laidlaw is an author and songwriter based in Moab, Utah. He writes for magazines like Outside, Alpinist, Climbing, and Orion, and his debut nonfiction book Erratica: On Climbing, Language, and Touching Stone was released this fall by Milkweed Editions. He continues to tour as a folksinger, and also moonlights (often by literal moonlight) as a climber, establishing new boulders and routes in the desert and Sierra... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Tahoe Wine Collective 760 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City

Craft Talk, Songwriting

3:00pm PDT

Teaching Poetry on the Inside: Writing as an Act of Service

Saturday October 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

The Understory by Wonderwood Books

Trying to teach poetry inside: How can a poem touch a person's life who is serving time? This is an old question but it has been answered repeatedly: start by reading and then writing what might be small cables to the infinite wisdom of healing. Teach people to trust again, build a relationship based on mutual constructive feedback, and slowly one's humanity emerges from the darkness. Shaun Griffin has been teaching a poetry workshop for decades at Northern Nevada Correctional Center.

Speakers

Shaun Griffin

Shaun T. Griffin co-founded and directed Community Chest, a rural social justice agency for twenty-seven years. His new book of poems, No Charity in the Wilderness, is out from the University of Nevada Press. Southern Utah University Press just released River Ask Me Why—Into... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
The Understory by Wonderwood Books

Craft Talk, Poetry

Tahoe Literary Festival

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Tickets

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Tahoe Literary Festival

10:00am PDT

Jessica Levine

11:15am PDT

Tim Disney

Tim Hauserman

11:15am PDT

Lisa Kirkman

11:15am PDT

Sands Hall

12:30pm PDT

Nicholas Baham III

CJ Spears

Miles Whitney

12:30pm PDT

Dianne Reeves Angel

Gabrielle Myers

12:30pm PDT

Patrick Storm

12:30pm PDT

Grant Faulkner

12:30pm PDT

Sarah Flocken

1:45pm PDT

Jenny Darlington-Person

3:00pm PDT

Jennifer Dickinson

Nicole Maggi

Cecilia Rabess

3:00pm PDT

Brian Laidlaw

3:00pm PDT

Shaun Griffin

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