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Sat, May 03
|Native Sons Hall
The Mother Lode Book Festival
📚 With a diverse lineup of events, including author tables, book signings, paid workshops, and panel discussions, attendees can engage with their favorite writers and discover new voices. The festival will also feature a variety of regional and local authors, publishers, and speakers!
Time & Location
May 03, 2025, 9:00 AM PDT – May 04, 2025, 5:00 PM PDT
Native Sons Hall, 369 Main St, Murphys, CA 95247, USA
About the event
The Mother Lode Book Festival in Murphys, CA
May 3, 2025, 9 am- 5 pm in Murphys, CA and May 4, 2025 at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Hosted by Manzanita Writers Press, with Calaveras Writers, & the Sonora Writers Group. Many Workshops: $35 for any and all!
This first annual event at the Native Sons Hall promises to be a vibrant celebration of literature and community. Nestled in the charming historic town of Murphys, this festival will bring together authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts to celebrate the written word. With a diverse lineup of events, including author tables, book signings, workshops, and panel discussions, attendees can engage with their favorite writers and discover new voices. The festival will also feature a variety of regional and local authors, publishers, and speakers, making it a perfect day out for families and book lovers alike. Whether you’re an avid reader or just looking for a fun cultural experience, the Mother Lode Book Festival is an event not to be missed.
Workshops and speakers from 9 am to 3 pm - $35.00 fee for workshops if purchased online and $45 at the door. Author signings and tables from 12-4 pm. Author readings 4 pm – 5 pm. Authors with books for sale at the table and who have registered as a vendor can set up books early and will have access to the Main Hall workshops with an additional $35 workshop fee.
Book Fair is free to the public from 12-5 pm
Authors who would like to sell their books at the book fair tables contact manzanitawp@gmail.com
and pay your vendor fee here: VENDOR FEE - shared table with another author $25 - full table $50
Workshops: $35 for all
Sara Lunsford – YouTube for Writers – and Podcasting for authors
Katie Stine – Historical Fiction
Monika Rose, editor, and Joyce Dedini-Runnells, layout designer – Manzanita Writers Press Preparing your manuscript for agents and publication –– plus Indie press publication tips
Linda Toren and Gary Thomas: Poetry Workshop
Conrad Levasseur: Creative Journaling
Murphys Creek Theatre: Author stage presence for speaking and readings
Kristin Fulton, Monika Rose, Kathy Boyd Fellure, and Michele Rugo - Children’s Book author workshop
8:00-8:45 am – register and check-in –
8:45 – Hall - introductions – inspirational speaker –
9:00-10:00 am – – Historical Fiction writing - Katie Stine - in the Hall
10:10-11:15 am - YouTube for authors and podcasting - Sarah Lunsford - in the Hall
11:15 am-12 pm - Preparing your manuscript for agent/publication – Monika Rose and Joyce Dedini - in the Hall
11:10-12 - Poetry Workshop with Linda Toren and Gary Thomas at Serendipity
12 pm - 1 pm - Lunch on your own
1-2 pm - Children's book panel at Serendipity - 2 doors down - Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing a Children's Book
1-2 pm – Murphys Creek Theatre - Developing a stage presence for author speakers - Murphys Creek Theatre
2 pm – Creative Journaling – with Conrad Levasseur- In the Hall
12-4 pm - author signings and book sales in the hall - free entrance for the public
4-5 pm - author excerpt readings in the hall - free to the public
What to do afterward?
5 pm - Dinner on your own - find author friends and plan an outing in downtown Murphys - winetasting and dinner at several wonderful restaurants! Murphys Hotel, Allegorie, Grounds, Bistro, and so many more!
7:30 pm - The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams - no-host showtime at Murphys Creek Theatre around the corner
Come back on Sunday to Calaveras Big Trees State Park for more literary and creative activities at Writing Down the Trees - all free on Sunday! (vehicle fee required for the park entrance)
Writing Down the Big Trees – Free Event
May 4 – 10 am – 5 pm at Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Poets, writers, journaling fans, photographers, and artists gather on Sunday, May 4, at Calaveras Big Trees State Park in the North Grove to write about and/or sketch at least one, maybe more, of the giant Sequoias of their choice for inclusion in a creative anthology for a Fall 2025 release.
The event begins at 10 am in the education room with Jim and Joan Allday, docents, sharing a slide show about some of the more notable trees, along with stories and key information about the grove and its trees. Some of the information is usually reserved for notable people, but the docents will share this with us on May 4.
At 11 am, Writers and artists then walk down to the North Grove Trail and select at least one of the trail trees that will become the subject of their writing and/or art.
Nitya Prema will offer a forest bathing workshop on the North Grove Trail - Time TBA
At 3 pm, A sharing of writing back in the education room at 3 to 5 pm will conclude the day.
Bring your lunch, snacks, water, and materials. Also bring a folding chair or something to sit on. Benches are not placed at every tree. Prepare for any inclement weather. This is a rain-or-shine event.
This is a Free event. There is an entrance fee to the park that is assessed per car, and parking may be limited. The education room will open at 9 am. and there will be hot coffee/tea, rolls, and water available.
Reservation required. Contact Monika Rose, Calaveras County Poet Laureate, at manzanitawp@gmail.com
Tell all your creative friends to join you!