Best-Selling Authors to Headline Annual Pasadena Festival of Women Authors – Pasadena Now

The Pasadena Literary Alliance will host its 17th annual Pasadena Festival of Women Authors, featuring seven prominent writers, including New York Times bestselling author Rachel Khong, on March 22 at the Pasadena Hilton.

The event, dedicated to celebrating women authors and funding literary programs at community nonprofits, will bring together authors Marie-Helen Bertino, Rita Bullwinkel, Essie Chambers, Yangsze Choo, Eve J. Chung, and Xochitl Gonzalez alongside Khong.

Khong, whose latest work “Real Americans” was selected as a Read With Jenna’s Book Club pick, explores themes of class, race, genetics and scientific ethics through the lens of a lotus seed.

Her previous novel, “Goodbye, Vitamin,” earned recognition as a Best Book of the Year from NPR, The Oprah Magazine, Vogue, and Esquire.

The festival has historically supported local literary initiatives, with grants exceeding $500,000 distributed to organizations including Pasadena City College, Pasadena Public Library’s One City, One Story program, and Pasadena Senior Center.

Recent grant recipients also include PEN Center Los Angeles for its “You are a Writer” workshops and WriteGirl’s creative writing workshops and mentoring programs for high school girls.

Bertino’s novel “Beautyland,” which examines life’s resilience on Earth and beyond, has earned recognition as a New York Times Best Book and National Book Critics Circle Award finalist.

Bullwinkel’s debut novel “Headshot,” which follows eight teenage girls vying for a national boxing championship, has secured a position on the prestigious Booker Prize longlist.

The day-long gathering will begin with coffee and light refreshments, followed by author presentations, a luncheon, Q-and-A sessions, and book signing opportunities.

The event has reached capacity, but interested participants are advised to join a waitlist. For more information, visit pfwa2025.org.

The Pasadena Hilton is at 168 S. Los Robles Ave.