Tara Madison Avery is a dedicated cartoonist, editor, publisher, and LGBTQIA+ activist. Known for her impactful work in the comic industry, Tara has created webcomics like Dirtheads and the bisexual-themed Gooch, which have resonated deeply with diverse audiences. As the founder of Stacked Deck Press, she has committed her publishing imprint to produce comics and coloring books that authentically represent LGBTQIA+ experiences. Under her leadership, Stacked Deck Press has released groundbreaking works, such as We’re Still Here, the first-ever all-Transgender comics anthology, which earned an Ignatz Award. Another significant publication, Resistance: The LGBT Fight Against Fascism in WWII, honors Queer activists and freedom fighters from the 1930s and 1940s, presented in a unique coloring book format. Tara’s work continues to champion the importance of visibility and accurate representation for LGBTQIA+ youth, offering them a mirror to see themselves reflected in the stories she brings to life.

Born on Chicago’s South Side, Cary Baker began his writing career at age sixteen with an on-spec feature about Chicago street singer Blind Arvella Gray for the Chicago Reader. He also wrote for Creem, Record, Billboard, Mix and Trouser Press magazines. His return to writing follows a forty-two-year hiatus during which time he directed publicity for six record labels (including Capitol and I.R.S. Records) and two of his own companies, working with acclaimed artists such as R.E.M., Bonnie Raitt, The Smithereens, James McMurtry, The Mavericks, Bobby Rush, Kinky Friedman, Chris Hillman, and more. Cary is a new author based in the desert. His first book, Down on The Corner about the history of street singing and busking – and including two musicians associated with the Hi-Desert (Victoria Williams, Tim Easton) – will be released during the festival. The longtime Los Angeles resident now lives in the California desert.

Carmiel Banasky's diverse career spans novels, television, film, and audio. She was a staff writer on the Amazon show UNDONE and served as Head Writer for Wondery's climate-centered sci-fi podcast The Last City, starring Rhea Seehorn, which reached #1 in fiction. Carmiel co-wrote a short film featuring Margaret Cho, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and is now being developed into a feature. A Film Independent Fellow and Unreasonable Conversation Climate Storytelling Fellow, she also served as Editor-in-Chief and Head Writer for the nonprofit Good Energy, where she led the creation of the Playbook for Screenwriting in the Age of Climate Change. In this role, she helps screenwriters integrate climate themes across genres with joy and humor. Before settling in Los Angeles, Carmiel spent four years traveling on writing fellowships, including time aboard an Arctic sailing vessel, studying and writing about climate change. She also made significant efforts to establish a Planned Parenthood clinic in Mississippi. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, LA Review of Books, and on NPR. Carmiel is the author of the critically acclaimed novel The Suicide of Claire Bishop.

Barret Baumgart is the author of the forthcoming YUCK: The Birth and Death of the Weird and Wondrous Joshua Tree, Yucca brevifolia, set for release by Wandering Aengus Press in March 2025. His first book, China Lake: A Journey into the Contradicted Heart of a Global Climate Catastrophe (University of Iowa Press), won the 2016 Iowa Prize for Literary Nonfiction and was named one of the best books of 2017 by Kirkus and Brooklyn Rail. Baumgart’s work on the Mojave Desert and the Southwest has been featured in The Paris Review, Vice, The Rumpus, and The Gettysburg Review, among others. Born and raised in San Diego, he now lives and works in Los Angeles.  

Duncan Birmingham is a writer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. His short films have premiered at various festivals including Sundance and his feature film directorial debut Who Invited Them was named one of the best horror films of the year by The Hollywood Reporter. His screenplay Swingles was bought by Paramount and appeared on The Black List. He was the writer and executive producer of the Marc Maron IFC comedy Maron and has worked as a writer-producer on various shows including the Starz comedy Blunt Talk starring Patrick Stewart and David Fincher's Videosyncrazy for HBO. His short fiction has appeared in the Oxford Review, Volume 1 Brooklyn, nerve, Joyland, and Mystery Tribune among other publications. The title story of his short story collection, The Cult in My Garage (Maudlin House, 2021), was chosen for the Selected Shorts radio show.

Scott B. Bomar is an accomplished author, editor, and music historian deeply connected to the Bakersfield country music scene. Formerly the Senior Director of Book Publishing at BMG and now with Omnibus Press, Scott has worked on projects for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Grammy Museum. He has received three Grammy nominations, including for his liner notes onThe Other Side of Bakersfield and Howdy Glenn: West Coast Country's Forgotten Black Pioneer, which also earned him the 2024 Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism. Scott has authored or co-authored over six books, includingThe Byrds: 1964-1967 and Johnny Cash at Folsom & San Quentin. His book Southbound won the ARSC award for Best Historical Research in Recorded Rock and Popular Music. He continues to write and edit, collaborating with renowned authors and artists across the music industry. Scott co-hosts the podcast Songcraft: Spotlight on Songwriters, featuring interviews with top music creators. He splits his time between Idyllwild and Inglewood, California, where he lives with his wife Melanie and their two rescue German Shepherds.

Chris Campion is a British journalist, author, ghost writer, and filmmaker living in Joshua Tree. His work, exploring the extremes of popular culture, has appeared in The Guardian, Telegraph, Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, Vice, and other publications. He is the editor of The War is Here: Newark 1967 (ZE Books), the co-writer (with guitarist Kid Congo Powers) of Some New Kind of Kick (Hachette), and the director of Markland Mountain, a forthcoming documentary about the western movie actor who helped establish the pop culture mythos and mystique of Joshua Tree.

chriscampion.com

C.J. Carrington is a writer for television and film who currently resides in Hollywood, California, with his wife. His debut novel, Hippo for Christmas, follows hapless ex-con Eddie Spurlock, whose only success in life is his brilliant nine-year-old daughter, Ellie. Desperate to win her affection, Eddie makes a risky bet to get her the most impossible gift for Christmas—or risk losing her forever. Carrington is currently working on his second novel, set for release in early 2025. 

Jayce Carter is a lifelong resident of the Morongo Basin, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and one mischievous "land shark." She is the author of over 40 romance novels, known for her compelling female characters and the red-flag men who love them. Jayce has spoken at various conferences and workshops on writing, romance, and productivity. Though she once dreamed of taking over the world, she opted for a pants-free life as a writer instead. Despite a fear of heights, she enjoys rock climbing and is always finding creative excuses to avoid socializing.

Nadia Clark is an artist and writer who brings a unique perspective shaped by her diverse background as a collegiate athlete, police officer, and Army officer. Raised in the high desert since the age of nine, she returned to this peaceful landscape to embrace her creativity and share her life’s journey through her art. With a rich blend of experiences, Nadia’s work reflects the depth of someone who has lived through many roles and now seeks to serve humanity through her writing.

Emily Clarke is a Cahuilla poet, bead artist, and traditional Bird Dancer. She is a two time recipient of the UC Riverside Chancellor’s Award for Poetry, a 2022 Pushcart Prize nominee, and a recipient of Hayden’s Ferry Review’s National Indigenous Poets prize. Emily is also an MFA candidate at the Institute of American Indian Arts. In her free time, Emily runs her small business, Cahuilla Woman Creations, and takes care of her three cats, Aslan, Crookshanks, and Duchess.

Chris Clarke is a longtime environmental journalist and desert activist, known for his deep commitment to protecting the fragile ecosystems of the American Southwest. He hosts 90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast, where he regularly engages with experts, activists, and community members to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of desert conservation. As the former Environment Editor at KCET TV in Los Angeles, Chris reported extensively on the rise of utility-scale solar energy in California’s desert regions. He lives with his wife, Lara, and their energetic dogs in Twentynine Palms.

Craig Clevenger, born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Southern California, studied English at California State University, Long Beach. He splits his time between the Mojave Desert and the Central Coast, where he works at a local library and leads a community writing workshop. Craig is the author of The Contortionist's Handbook, Dermaphoria, and Mother Howl. His essays and short fiction have appeared in The Coachella Review, Black Clock, San Francisco Noir 2, Starlite Pulp Review, and the forthcoming Amber Waves of Autumn from Kelp Books. His works have been translated into over 30 languages.

Ben Coil is a writer, musician, and bartender whose first book is debuting at the 29 Palms Book Festival. JOSHUA TREES: The Book is an exploration of the history, culture, and modern folklore of the High Desert blended with a personal narrative, revealing an intimate relationship with the Joshua Tree area. Ben will be selling his book, along with fun merchandise related to it.  

Brendan Cummings is the Conservation Director of the Center for Biological Diversity, where he has worked since 1998. A graduate of Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law, Brendan is an attorney specializing in environmental law, with extensive experience litigating cases under the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Clean Water Act, and more. He has played a pivotal role in protecting a wide range of species, from insects to polar bears. Notably, Brendan drafted the petition for the protection of the western Joshua tree, leading to the passage of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act.  

Trinie Dalton is an author, artist, and professor. Her multidisciplinary approach to writing and bookmaking leads her into various fields, always with an eye toward expanded narrativity and books as objects. Trinie Dalton has published six books, most recently Baby Geisha (Two Dollar Radio). Other fiction titles include Wide Eyed (Akashic), a story collection, and Sweet Tomb (Madras Press), a fairytale novella. Dear New Girl or Whatever Your Name Is (McSweeney’s) is a transformation of her archive of confiscated high school notes into a collaboration between fifty artists. Mythtym (Picturebox) is an art/fiction anthology based on mythological monsters and horror. She also makes sundry artists’ books and printed matter.

James has lived in the high desert for 20 years and enjoys writing poems, and songs, and is currently working on a children's book series, The Great Adventures of Littlefeet.

Camaray Davalos (Payómkawichum/Xicana) graduated from Humboldt State University in 2018 with a major in Native American Studies and a minor in Environmental Management. As a writer of creative nonfiction and fiction, she explores Indigenous social and environmental issues, gender roles, and identity. In 2020, she won the Audience Prize at the Native Voices 10th Annual Short Play Festival. She wrote and directed her first short film, Woman Who Blooms at Night, in 2021. In 2023, Camaray received the Achievement in Screenwriting Award at the 12th Annual Native American Media Awards at LA SKINS FEST. She is also a lead editor for Yáamay: An Anthology of Feminine Perspectives Across Indigenous California

Rae Del Bianco grew up in Bucks County, PA, where she raised and sold beef cattle during her teenage years. She attended Duke University on a full merit scholarship as a Robertson Scholar and has been a resident at the Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency and Yaddo. She also received the John and Renee Grisham Fellowship at the University of Mississippi, where she was involved with Justice for Jay Lee following the unsolved murder of a young gay man. Rae's latest work explores her experiences growing up queer in rural America, drawing from her life as a naturalist, horseman, hunter, and self-taught taxidermist. Her debut novel, Rough Animals, earned comparisons to Cormac McCarthy and Denis Johnson and won the Prix littéraire Lucien-Barrière, an honor shared with writers like William Styron, Norman Mailer, and John Grisham. She currently lives in a cabin in the Mojave Desert, California.

Keith Walter Dow is a born New Englander currently residing in California. He is the co-founder of the Joshua Tree Writers Retreat and Dead Reckoning Collective, a publishing company working to produce literature by veterans for everyone. His first poetry collection, Karmic Purgatory, is a take on his experiences as a man reflecting on a life before, during, and after his time in the military. Keith is an accomplished editor of poetry and personal essays, assisting emerging authors in getting their stories out there. He also co-authored Fact & Memory with Tyler James Carroll and his work was featured in In Love...&War: The Anthology of Poet Warriors and Coffee or Die Magazine. 

Brad Dunning (b. 1957) is a designer known for working on architecturally significant properties, restorations, and his contemporary work. He has also written about design, architecture, and architectural preservation for various publications including the New York Times, Interview, the Los Angeles Times, and Vogue, and was a long-time contributing editor on architecture and design for GQ magazine. In 2024 he designed and curated the exhibition Albert Frey: Inventive Modernist for the Palm Springs Art Museum. High desert work includes restoring and redesigning The Bungalows at Joshua Tree Retreat Center. www.BradDunning.com

Larry Fike is a former tenured department chair who holds degrees in philosophy from UCLA and Columbia University. He now teaches critical thinking, logic, and ethics at community colleges and writes from his home in Joshua Tree. He is working on a sequel to the memoir Piker: A Memoir of Child Abuse, Academic Disillusionment, and Familial Redemption, and is the author of Obstinate Air: Poems on Beating the Wind  and Unheard Tick of Time: Poems in the Healing Mode. His lyrics have been included in songs that have aired on "The Young and the Restless," "General Hospital," and "Summerland."

Gina Frangello is an acclaimed author whose memoir, Blow Your House Down: A Story of Family, Feminism, and Treason, was selected as a New York Times Editor’s Choice and featured on numerous "Best of 2021" lists. She has also written four fiction books, including A Life in Men and Every Kind of Wanting. Her upcoming work, Elena Ferrante: The Neapolitan Novels, is part of Ig Publishing's "Bookmarked" series and offers an insightful exploration of Ferrante's renowned series; this book will be presented at the festival. In addition to her writing, Gina is a lead editor at Row House Publishing, with over two decades of editorial experience. She teaches in the low residency MFA program at the University of Nevada-Reno/Tahoe and co-runs Circe Consulting, a full-service company for writers.

Greg Gilbert is a retired English Professor and the current Board President at Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree, CA. His book, Butchy’s Rainbow, is the story of a three-generation household in post-war Los Angeles and the horrific events that necessitated their move into the political and social maelstrom that was San Bernardino in the mid-1950’s.

Yasmine Golchan was raised in both France and the U.S., where she studied theater and film at USC and UCLA. She produced plays in Paris before founding the French Theater at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, where she successfully produced, directed, and acted in comedies by renowned French playwrights. Her short film Next Stop, Eternity won Best Short at the world’s first Internet Festival and received nominations at major international film festivals. As VP of Production for Academy Award-winning producer Bob Yari, Golchan co-produced the Golden Globe-winning feature The Painted Veil, starring Ed Norton and Naomi Watts. She is currently collaborating with Magenta Light Studios. Her children’s book, The Adventures of Yasmine, draws on her own childhood adventures and offers a whimsical escape from today’s tech-driven world through multicultural journeys and classic storytelling.  

Damien Gossett is a multi-disciplinary artist skilled in literary, visual, and aural arts, with two published books combining photography, prose, and poetry: Light Dust Dark and Shoes and Singularities. The most recent work, Lunacy, Loss & Love, is a collection of poems. Visual art has been exhibited in galleries across Los Angeles, Portland, and Minneapolis. Having attended Reed College and holding degrees from the University of Minnesota (BFA), and California State University Hayward (Master’s in Multimedia), the artist currently resides in Oakland and Joshua Tree, CA.  

John Griesemer is the author of the novels Signal & Noise and No One Thinks of Greenland upon which the film Guy X was based. As an actor, Griesemer has appeared on Broadway (Inherit The Wind; Our Town) and in films and television (Malcolm X, Days of Thunder, The Crucible; Law and Order). John will be reading excerpts from his forthcoming book "Beneath The Face" which takes place entirely between I-15 and Route 62.

Renee Gurley, MA, MFA, is a writer and English teacher with over 20 years of experience with words, whose works have appeared in Coping Magazine, Lehigh Valley Woman’ s Journal, and Budget Press..

Gabriel Hart is an author and journalist from Morongo Valley, CA. His debut novel On High at Red Tide is forthcoming in September 2024 from Pig Roast Publishing. Other works include the neo-pulp collection Fallout From Our Asphalt Hell (Close to the Bone, 2021), the dispo-pocalyptic twin-novellas Virgins In Reverse / The Intrusion (Traveling Shoes Press, 2019), and two poetry collections Unsongs and Hymns from The Whipping Post (Close to the Bone). His short stories can be found at Expat Press, Hobart Pulp, Shotgun Honey, Punk Noir, and Rock and A Hard Place magazine, from where his story "Crossing Alvarado" was nominated for Best American Mystery and Suspense in 2022. Hart was a contributor at Lit Reactor, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and has recently launched the print literature/arts magazine Beyond the Last Estate. Hart is also the co-producer of Mil-Tree's Mojave Noir reading series and reports daily at Z1077fm.com

Sean Jacques was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks. Currently, he resides in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles with his wife, two daughters, and a bird dog named Rye. A literature teacher and author across multiple genres, he has contributed short stories, essays, plays, and poems to several literary publications, including Starlite Pulp Review, Shotgun Honey, Across The Margin, Cowboy Jamboree, and 34 Orchard. He also has written screenplays and television projects for TNT, John Woo, Maverick Films, and other film producers, plus, he previously served as a creative executive for The Weinstein Company and worked as a script analyst for Miramax Films and Walt Disney Studios. His debut novel, Doe Run, is available from Shotgun Honey Books. See more about him at seanjacquesauthor.com.

Peter has been passionate about music since childhood. He began his career in 1972 in Minneapolis, distributing the British rock weekly New Musical Express and managing the record store Oar Folkjokeopus. He co-founded Twin/Tone Records in 1977, where he signed The Replacements and co-produced their early albums. Later, he started Medium Cool Records, working with artists like Slim Dunlap and Tommy Stinson. In 1999, Peter joined New West Records as VP of A&R and Production, a role he held until 2016. Now freelancing, he focuses on A&R, production, and writing. He published his memoir, Euphoric Recall, in 2023. Peter lives in North Hollywood with his wife and son.

Ximena José is a first generation Venezuelan-American poet and writer exploring themes of potentiality, divinity and the Self. Her writing and artist studio is based in Twentynine Palms.

For poet, painter, and naturalist Obi Kaufmann, California is a magic network of living systems connecting ecology and beauty in a grand quilt, holding enough science, mythology, and language for a hundred field atlases to come. Obi Kaufmann regularly travels around the state, presenting his work and vision as keynote addresses to such groups as the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildland Center, Pacific Forest Trust, the Mojave Desert Land Trust, the Mechanics Institute of San Francisco, the Anza Borrego Foundation, the Mono Lake Committee, the University of California at Berkeley Botanical Garden, the University of California at Davis Plant Sciences Department, the University of California Santa Barbara Department of Water Sciences, the Peninsula Open Space Trust, the California Native Plant Society, the Wilderness Society, and the Audubon Society. Obi had a 2022 residency with the National Wildlife Federation as the illustrator for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and was the artist in residence for the National Park Service at the Whiskeytown NRA. Obi’s essays and paintings have been published in Dark Mountain Literary Journal, Zyzzyva Literary Journal, Bay Nature Magazine, Western Art & Architecture, Sunset Magazine, Juxtapoz Magazine, and On the Range Magazine. His 2023 essay "The Mind of the Redwood Forest" won an honorable mention as one of the best essays in the country, as awarded by the Norton Books Anthology. Obi regularly posts his work on Instagram as @coyotethunder. He is published by HEYDAY and represented by WILDBOUNDPR.

Francene Kaplan, a native Californian and desert enthusiast, is an accomplished writer known for her poems and short stories. When she's not creating weird mixed-media and sound art or playing household percussion, she enjoys reading, writing, and watching Sci-Fi, as well as organic gardening and composting. With extensive formal education, she has spent many years imparting her knowledge to alternative high school students, teaching subjects like science, psychology, sociology, health, and foods. Known as the "Priestess of Rot" for her composting workshops in Southern California, Francene also organizes art shows and book fairs, and performs experimental music with her husband, Mark, in their collaborative Phog Masheeen. Her book Dogmander presents Gogyohka—a modern form of Japanese poetry consisting of five lines—alongside other poetry forms and factual and fictional short stories exploring themes of life’s journey, desert culture, and the interplay between people and the desert. This entertaining collection includes insights on animal life, canine personalities, and true science fiction poetry, as well as reflections on career, society, and personal epiphanies.

Laurie Kaye began her career in radio at KFRC-AM San Francisco, one of the nation’s top 40 stations, where she rose from intern to on-air reporter and anchor. She wrote and co-produced numerous radio rock specials for RKO, including RKO Presents the Beatles and The Top 100 of the 70’s. Laurie also wrote for Dick Clark’s weekly radio countdown show and syndicated newspaper column. Transitioning to television and film, she now works as a writer, producer, and casting director, managing both creative content and line producing for docuseries pilots. Laurie is also the author of Confessions of a Rock N Roll Name Dropper: My Life Leading Up to John Lennon's Last Interview. The book provides a gripping account of her experience interviewing John Lennon at the Dakota apartments in New York on December 8, 1980—the last interview Lennon ever gave. Hours later, Lennon was tragically shot dead outside the same building by a man Laurie had encountered after the interview. The book also delves into her turbulent early years in LA and her star-studded journey from radio intern to acclaimed writer/producer, including interviews with music legends such as Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Talking Heads, the Ramones, David Bowie, and Mick Jagger.

Award-winning author S. Kensington is a retired educator who has lived and taught in various countries for the past thirty years. Inspired by her discovery of a woman's glove and a WWII news clipping about the undercover Phantoms in her father's war possessions, Kensington's latest novel, Just Another Girl on the Road, delves into the complexities of World War II and its aftermath. Like her protagonist, Kensington enjoys long voyages by freighter, her favorite being on the French cargo ship CMA CGM Matisse from Tilbury, England, to Tahiti, during which she encountered a bomb cyclone. Currently residing in the United States and writing her memoirs, Kensington will join us for a session dedicated to war literature, offering a fresh, colorful perspective on this often-explored period of modern history.

Sant Khalsa is an artist, curator, educator, and activist whose work develops from a mindful inquiry into complex environmental and societal issues. She was recently honored with the prestigious California Art Council Individual Artist Fellowship Legacy Artist Award (2023-24). Sant Khalsa’s artworks are widely exhibited, published, and collected by museums including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, National Galleries of Scotland and UCR California Museum of Photography. Her artworks are published in numerous books including two monographs, Crystal Clear || Western Waters (Minor Matters, 2022) with a foreword by Ed Ruscha and Prana: Life with Trees (Griffith Moon/MOAH Lancaster, 2019). Khalsa is a Professor of Art, Emerita at California State University, San Bernardino and lives in Joshua Tree, California.

Lalo Kikiriki, also known as Jennifer Palmer-Lacy, is a poet and writer from Joshua Tree with multiple identities and gender expressions. Originally from Texas and affiliated with KPFT Pacifica Radio in Houston, Lalo created this persona for the poetry collection Old Movies/Other Visions (1989). Other works include New Stuff (1981), Dreams of the Everyday Housewife (2018), and the award-winning Flashback/Fastforward, a Runyon Canyon Park brochure that received the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department Community Arts Grant in 1993. As Jennifer Palmer-Lacy, she also writes songs and plays the accordion.

Nolan Knight is the author of Gallows Dome, The Neon Lights Are Veins, and Beneath the Black Palms. A fourth-generation Angeleno, Nolan has deep roots in Los Angeles, where he previously served as a staff writer for L.A. Record, "Los Angeles' Biggest Music Publication." His short fiction has appeared in publications such as Akashic Books, Thuglit, Starlite Pulp, and Action, Spectacle. His upcoming novel, The Gorgon of Los Feliz, is set to be published by Down & Out Books in 2025. Knight's work has been praised by luminaries like Barry Gifford, James Sallis, Allison Anders, and Lydia Lunch. 

Born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan, Jamal graduated from the University of Michigan and George Washington University Law School. This foundation led him to a dynamic career in New York City, where he worked at major financial institutions, which include Goldman Sachs and American Express. After several years in the fast-paced environment of the Big Apple, he moved to the West Coast with his husband to pursue a career in the technology sector. Eventually feeling fatigued by the relentless pace of corporate life, Jamal sought a more meaningful path. This journey culminated in the creation of Give Away Your Attention: How to Become Aware and Dissolve the Ego—a practical guide to self-awareness that offers tools for dissolving the ego through non-judgmental observation and deeper inquiry into the nature of identity.

Susan Lang grew up in Pipes Canyon, now part of the Pioneertown Wildlands Preserve, and attended a one-room schoolhouse in Pioneertown for grades 1-3. She is the author of five novels, including a trilogy published by the University of Nevada Press about a woman homesteading in a Mojave Desert canyon from 1929 to 1941. The first novel in the trilogy, Small Rocks Rising, won the 2003 Willa Award. Lang received a 2008 Project Grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts for her fourth novel, The Sawtooth Complex, published by Oak Tree Press. Her fifth novel, In God’s Trailer Park, was released in 2018, followed by her memoir, Running Barefoot, in 2019. Her short stories and poems have appeared in publications such as Idaho Review, Red Rock Review, Iris, The Raven Review, and Alligator Juniper. Lang founded and directed the Southwest Writers Series and the Hassayampa Institute for Creative Writing at Yavapai College, where she is now Faculty Emeritus. She currently serves as Event Coordinator at the Peregrine Book Company in Prescott, Arizona.

Steve Lech is a native Riversider who has been interested in the local history of Riverside County for more than 40 years. He has written or co-written 15 books on various topics related to Riverside County history, including Along the Old Roads – A History of the Portion of Southern California That Became Riverside County, 1772-1893, considered to be the definitive history of Riverside County. He co-authors the weekly “Back in the Day” column for the Press-Enterprise newspaper in which he explores many aspects of local history throughout western Riverside County. He has been a docent at the historic Mission Inn hotel for 35 years, is currently the Director of Docent Training for the Mission Inn Foundation and is the chair of the Riverside County Historical Commission and past chair of the City of Riverside’s Cultural Heritage Board.

Jennifer Lewis is a writer, editor, and publisher of Red Light Lit. Her debut short story collection, The New Low (Black Lawrence Press), became an SPD bestseller. She is the recipient of the Nomadic Press Bindle Award and The Los Angeles Review Flash Fiction Award. Her fiction has appeared in publications such as Cosmonauts Avenue, Midnight Breakfast, The Los Angeles Press, and CRAFT, among others. Her most recent nonfiction work has been featured in The Rumpus, Alta Journal, and Joshua Tree Voice. Jennifer holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and teaches at The Writing Salon in San Francisco.

Teresa is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, certified personal trainer, and master empowerment life coach. A domestic violence survivor, she is dedicated to helping others find strength and direction to escape toxic situations. With over 18 years of experience, she supports domestic violence victims, survivors, and their pets through coaching and resources. At the festival, Teresa will present her book, My Rock My Hard Place, a true story of one woman's heartache, triumph, and empowerment. Through her non-profit, SRT Foundation, Teresa advocates for domestic violence awareness and healing, hoping her book inspires others to find their inner courage and transform their lives.

Jardine Libaire is the co-editor (with Jennifer Prediger & book designer Beth Middleworth) of PO Box Outer Space, a new zine series of 'open letters to the beyond.' She lives in the High Desert and is curious about and stuck on and mystified and terrified and enchanted by what is truly here and what might be beyond, and doesn't know what this sentence even means. She's the author of a mish-mash of books including Here Kitty Kitty, White Fur, and You're An Animal (Hogarth); co-writer of The Sober Lush (Tarcher Perigee); two collaborations for Neotext, GoldTwinz with photographer Neil Krug and A Lesson in Murder Ballads with artist Denise Prince; and co-writer of the film script Endings Beginnings with director Drake Doremus. 

Dr. Leo Mallette is the author of several books, including the forthcoming Postcard History Series: Rancho Mirage (November 2024). He has also co-authored Dissertation Fundamentals for the Social Sciences and Images of America: Rancho Mirage. An adjunct faculty member at Pepperdine University since 2009, Dr. Mallette has chaired 39 doctoral dissertations. Before transitioning to academia, he spent 40 years managing satellite-system projects at The Aerospace Corporation, Boeing, and Hughes Aircraft Company. Dr. Mallette holds degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Central Florida and an MBA and EdD from Pepperdine University.  

Louise Mathias is a writer living in the Mojave Desert. She is the author of three books of poems, Lark Apprentice (New Issues Poetry Prize) The Traps (Four Way Books), and What if the Invader is Beautiful (Forthcoming September 2024, Four Way Books). Her work has appeared in Tin House, Denver Quarterly, Gulf Coast, the Academy of American Poets Poem-a-Day feature amongst many other places. She is writing a novel.

Nevada McPherson is the author of the Eucalyptus Lane novels (Poser, Cracker, and Baller), a neo-noir series that blends romance and crime fiction, published by Outcast Press. A graduate of LSU’s MFA Creative Writing Program, Nevada has also written several award-winning screenplays, four graphic novels, and numerous short fiction and nonfiction pieces. Her work has been featured in Deep South Magazine, Noir City, and Twisted Pulp Magazine. Her recent short story, “Scattershot,” about two female bounty hunters traveling the American Southwest in the 1970s, appears in Starlite Pulp Review #2. When not writing, Nevada enjoys reading, cooking, yoga, and spending evenings at home in Georgia, porch-sitting with her husband and chihuahua. A passionate gardener, she jokes that she’s just one or two houseplants away from becoming a crazy plant lady.

Like the stories in her first published fiction “Road to Soul”, Carmen’s background is eclectic; from working as an Interpretative Ranger with the National Park Service to currently being an Executive Professional Life Coach in private practice and with a vendor for the Department of Interior. Carmen has traveled many roads in her lifetime with her favorites being the backroads of Colorado and the Mojave Desert of her youth.

Ted is a desert-based artist, curator, and patient advocate known for his project Scarred for Life: Monoprints of Human Scars, which chronicles the stories of individuals who have survived accidents and health crises. A lifelong patient with Gaucher Disease, Ted uses his art to improve patient-physician communication and explore life with illness. His work has been featured by NPR and The New York Times, and he serves as Artist in Residence at USC Keck School of Medicine. His latest book, The Room Sinatra Died In, and Other Medically Adjacent Stories, will be released in September 2024.  

Sean Milanovich, PhD, is a member of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. He holds a PhD in Native American History from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master’s in Historic Preservation. Milanovich serves as the Vice President of the Native American Land Conservancy and Secretary of the Native Land Trust Council. With extensive experience as a cultural specialist and Tribal Cultural Monitor, he also works as a Tribal Community Liaison with RUHS-BH and has expertise in museum collection management.  

Andrew Miller is an author, screenwriter, and essayist. His debut novel, Namaste Mart Confidential, was published by Run Amok Crime in May of this year. His story Samurai ’81, featured in the Jacked anthology from Run Amok Crime, was included on the honor roll for the Best Mystery Stories of the Year by Mysterious Press in 2023. He also contributed the novella Lady Tomahawk to the L.A. Stories anthology from Uncle B. Publications. Andrew's work has been featured in various publications, including Starlite Pulp, Apocalypse Confidential, Close to The Bone, Pulp Modern, Switchblade, and Broadswords and Blasters. He has also worked on the music documentary Soul of Lincoln Heights. He is a member of the Independent Fiction Alliance, a network of authors, publishers, and editors dedicated to combating censorship and promoting freedom of expression. Originally from Ohio, Andrew now lives in Pasadena, California, with his fiancée Genevieve and their two cats, John Wayne and Calamity Jane.

Jose Monroy, born and raised in Guatemala, moved to the United States to pursue a degree in Film/TV/Digital Media. Currently residing in Los Angeles, he works as a worldwide sales manager for New Films International. Inspired by Lustmore by Lapalux and Haruki Murakami's Dance Dance Dance, Monroy, at 28 years old, is developing a series of intrigues and crimes for protagonist Tavares Monte in Clearton City, alongside his love interest, Mischa. In Clearton City Tales, Tavares, a private detective, navigates a complex web of crime and conspiracy involving his ex-girlfriend, a local drug kingpin, and a dangerous plot to unleash chaos on the city.

Ariella Moon draws on her experiences as a shaman to craft enchanting Young Adult fiction. Her works include The Two Realms Trilogy, a fantasy romance set in medieval Scotland and the world of Fairy, and the Teen Wytche Saga, a collection of sweet, contemporary paranormal romances. She also explores character origins and magic in the Two Realms Novellas. Ariella's short story "Covert Hearts," which won the 2018 Aspen Gold Readers’ Choice Award for Best Romantic Short Story, is featured in Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection. She lives a nearly normal life doting on her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and a media-shy dragon.

Award-winning author Francis Moss will be joining this year's event. Known for his extensive work on iconic animated shows like She-Ra, Princess of Power, Iron Man, Ducktales, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Moss has also co-authored three middle-grade non-fiction books and penned the acclaimed The Rosenberg Espionage Case. Moss's debut novel, Losing Normal, won a Gold Medal from the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and a Reader’s Favorite Silver Medal. His latest best-selling novels include She-Wolf and Operation Overlord.

Katie Nartonis is the founder of The Nartonis Project and a writer, curator, filmmaker, and 20th century art + design specialist. She is the Arts writer for the Joshua Tree Voice and is a contributing writer for both Desert + SoCal Magazines. She co-authored the book "Jack Rogers Hopkins: California Design Maverick" in 2020 and "Edwin + Lloyd: The story of Edwin Dingle and Lloyd Wright" about the history of the Joshua Tree Retreat Center in 2023. She has two books coming out in 2024: "Glimpses of the Joshua Tree Dream" a photo essay book and "California Desert Artists” which she will debut at the 29 Palms Book Festival. She serves as President of The Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation of Arts + Crafts in Rancho Cucamonga.

Ruth Nolan is editor of “No Place for a Puritan: the Literature of California's Deserts”. A former wildland firefighter in the Mojave Desert and beyond, her desert-centric writing has most recently been published in “Writing the Golden State: The New Literary Terrain of California” (Angel City Press) Boom, California; McSweeney's; East Bay Times; KCET Los Angeles; Joshua Tree: Where Two Deserts Meet (Wildsam Guide); Los Angeles Fiction: Southland Writing by Southland Writers (Red Hen Press;) Campfire Stories Volume II: Tales from America’s National Parks and Trails. She is the author of the poetry books “After the Dome Fire” and “Ruby Mountain”, and is Professor of English and creative writing at College of the Desert. She lives in 29 Palms.

J.D. O’Brien was educated by nuns and holds a degree from the Jack Dempsey Bartending School in New York City. He edited the comedy zine Flop Sweat and his writing has appeared in Arthur Magazine, Dazed and Confused, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere. His essay on Chevy Chase was anthologized in The Lowbrow Reader Reader, published by Drag City Books. He has worked as a bartender, cold caller, dishwasher, and Strand Bookstore employee. After stints in New York City, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, he returned to his home of western Massachusetts. He has a dog named Lefty.

Brian O’Hare is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former Marine Corps officer, now an award-winning writer and filmmaker. His film Rizoo was picked up by The New Yorker for streaming. In 2021, his short story collection Surrender won the Veterans Writing Award from Syracuse University Press, praised by National Book Award winner Phil Klay. O’Hare has served as Visiting Writer at CUNY/Kingsborough and has been featured in a WORDTheatre event alongside Tobias Wolff, Tim O’Brien, and Richard Bausch. He is currently working on his debut novel, A Gathering of Vultures.

Meet Dr Oolong, the unconventional wordsmith whose life is as diverse as their storytelling. From living on a boat to roaming deserts, their eclectic experiences fuel their work, spanning sci-fi, comedy, and beyond. With a resume including directing plays, working in special effects for major films, and even chauffeuring bands to iconic concerts, Dr Oolong's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Inspired by encounters with the Integratron and Giant Rock, their acclaimed book, "Bedtime Stories for Robots," is a testament to a life lived outside the lines.

Warren M. Patch Jr. is a Doctor of Chiropractic with forty-three years of practice in San Diego. A father of four and a lifelong surfer with over fifty-five years of experience, Warren has authored two books. His memoir, Endless Childhood: The Surfer's Lifestyle, reflects on his decades-long journey as a surfer. His latest work, My Father... My Son? An Open Discussion on the Possibility of Reincarnation, will be presented at this year’s festival. This book delves into the striking similarities in mannerisms, skills, and knowledge between his son and his father, who passed away nine months before his son's birth. Through personal anecdotes, Warren explores the intriguing possibility of reincarnation.

Matt Phillips lives in San Diego. He was born in Palm Springs and raised in the Coachella Valley and High Desert. He was a two-sport varsity athlete at Yucca Valley High School (Basketball, High Jump). Matt holds an MFA from UTEP and his latest crime novel, A Good Rush of Blood, was a 2024 Thriller Award Finalist for Best Original Ebook. Other books include the noir novels Know Me from Smoke and Accidental Outlaws, as well as the poetry collection Journeyman Vagabond Gadabout.

At 78, Diane N. Pope returned to her passion for writing, beginning with poems and essays before diving into her debut novel, Ellis. Raised in Southern California, she has experienced two marriages and the loss of two of her three children. A former graphic artist, Diane now channels her creativity into storytelling. Ellis follows an assassin for hire who becomes entangled in an international crime scheme, constantly shifting from hunter to hunted, navigating danger, love, and loss until he can no longer outrun his fate.  

Chris Proudfoot, a retired Marine with over 25 years of service, has called Twentynine Palms home since 1960. After multiple combat tours, he retired in 2007 and has since worked at the Combat Center, supporting the execution of Service Level Training. With deep ties to both the Base and the city, Chris is dedicated to preserving its rich history. His connection to Colonel Verle Ludwig, the author of U.S. Marines at Twentynine Palms, California, and the Combat Center's Chief of Staff from 1973 to 1975, makes this endeavor especially meaningful. 

is a versatile storyteller who moves seamlessly between prose fiction and screenwriting. He is the author of several acclaimed novels, includingTwentynine Palms, A Hole in the Ground Owned by a Liar Fifty Mice, Catalina Eddy, and his latest, Water Memory, released on February 1, 2021. Pyne’s film credits include Backstabbing for Beginners, the remake ofThe Manchurian Candidate, Pacific Heights, Any Given Sunday, and Fracture. His television work ranges from the iconic Miami Vice to Amazon’s longest-running drama,;Bosch. Pyne holds a BA from Stanford University, where he studied under Stegner fellows Chuck Kinder and John L'Heureux, and an MFA from UCLA's Graduate School of Film, where he taught screenwriting for two decades. Originally from Chicago and raised in Colorado, Pyne now resides in Los Angeles and Santa Fe with his wife, their rescue dog Luna, and a sullen box turtle left behind by his grown children.

Nikki Rawnsley is an award-winning author, marketing business leader, and prolific writer known for her transformative poetry. Her book Black Heart Words & Poems is a personal anthology that delves into love, heartache, and healing, written for readers of all backgrounds. Drawing inspiration from her travels and empathetic connection with people, Nikki infuses her whimsical creativity into her work, often imagining herself as a fairy or nature warrior. British-born and Australian-raised, she now resides in California, living as a spiritual seeker and high-vibe advocate, dedicated to inspiring transformation through her words.  

Cindy Rinne creates poetry, zines, and fiber art in San Bernardino, CA. Her poems have appeared in anthologies, art exhibits, and dance performances. Cindy is the author of several books: Dancing Through the Fire Door (Nauset Press), Today on Two Planets (Written by Veterans), The Feather Ladder (Picture Show Press) and more.

Rob Roberge is the author of four acclaimed works of fiction and the memoir Liar, a Barnes & Noble “Discover Great New Authors” selection and a standout on multiple best nonfiction lists. His short fiction and essays have been widely published and anthologized, earning praise from The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The New Yorker, The Los Angeles Times, and others. Esteemed writers and musicians like Lydia Yuknavitch, Jerry Stahl, Janet Fitch, and Wayne Kramer have also celebrated his work. Roberge lives in Wonder Valley with his wife, writer Gina Frangello, and their overweight cat. He is currently working on a novel exploring the shadowy world of the CIA’s MKULTRA mind control experiments.

Susan Rukeyser (she/her) writes and lives in Joshua Tree. Her second novel, The Worst Kind of Girl, (Braddock Avenue Books, 2024) is set in Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley. Susan created the Desert Split Open event series for literary work that is feminist, queer, or otherwise radical.

Jim Ruland is the LA Times bestselling author of Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise & Fall of SST Records and the novel Forest of Fortune. He has co-authored several books, including Do What You Want with Bad Religion and My Damage with Keith Morris. Jim's writing has appeared in Razorcake, The Los Angeles Times, The Believer, Electric Literature, and many other publications. He is a recipient of awards and fellowships from Reader’s Digest and the National Endowment for the Arts. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Jim lives in San Diego, California, and is passionate about punk culture, tattoo art, and strong coffee.  

Kurt Schauppner has been editor of The Desert Trail for nearly a quarter of a century. He is active in local community theaters and recently appeared in the Theatre 29 production of "Man of La Mancha." He has written several plays, including "Somewhere Near Damascus," which was performed in readers theater in March. His books include "Ghosts of Ide County," and the short story collection "Songs Without Words." His latest project is a novella, "Signs Of Life."

Leslie and Stephen Shaw both have a lifelong love affair with the subject of ufology, they are very well read in the genre and both consider themselves to be armchair ufologists. They’ve both been UFO witnesses. Stephen and his extended family all have had missing time incidents and are likely to be UFO abductees.

Leslie Shaw has been a journalist for the last 18 years. She is now semi-retired, working only part time for a newspaper, and she decided to write “Who They Are: And What They're Up To” with her new-found extra time.

Stephen is her fellow researcher, theorist and sound board for the project. He worked with his father as a cabinetmaker and builder while putting himself through medical school. He was a state-licensed practitioner of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for 20 years and a teacher of the Yang and Chen styles of Tai Chi Chuan for 23 years.

Kelli Shapiro, PhD, is a public historian, historic preservationist, and local history author from Southern California. She holds degrees from Pomona College, Texas State University, and Brown University. She has written two books for Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series: 2024's "Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley Movie Theatres" and 2018's "Historic Movie Theatres of West Virginia" (the latter done as the Preservation Alliance of WV's Program Associate). She has also authored successful state landmark nominations in California and Texas; academic journal articles; and entries for several encyclopedias.

Scott Shigeoka is an internationally recognized curiosity expert and the award-winning author of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World, which he wrote from his home in Twentynine Palms. He promotes well-being and fosters positive relationships through his work at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, his innovative courses at the University of Texas at Austin, and global speaking engagements, including a recent TED Talk on curiosity as a force for love. Scott is also a screenwriter and playwright.  

Alan Siegel is a desert-dwelling musician who enjoys writing, walking, and making yogurt. When not playing guitar, he's playing the flute, and vice versa. A lover of great literature and dark chocolate, Alan’s witty and insightful book Butter Baba Says... explores the connection between breath, clarity, and seeing beauty in the finite. Now in its second edition, the book includes aphorisms, provocative dialogues, a short story, and playful illustrations by Mind Blossom.  

John Sierpinski lives in Yucca Valley, California. His two poetry collections: "Sucker Hole" and "Vacancy/No Vacancy" were published by Cholla Needles Arts and Literary Library.

Jerry Smetts, author of Humans Hand-Feeding Wild Rabbits? Impossible!, never expected to write about his interactions with wild jackrabbits. Living in Joshua Tree, CA, Jerry's fascination with the rabbits' complex behaviors led him to document his experiences through notes, sketches, and photos. Despite initial skepticism from a natural science professional, Jerry shared his stories, which highlight his unique bond with these animals. His best-selling book available exclusively at Desert General captures this extraordinary adventure, offering lessons on coexistence and unexpected friendships between humans and wildlife.

Terria Smith is a member of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians and serves as the editor of News From Native California, a quarterly magazine celebrating the cultures, art, languages, histories, social justice movements, and stories of California’s diverse Native peoples. She is also the director of California Indian Publishing at Heyday. Terria is a member of the Native American Journalists Association and an alumna of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.  

Kate Spencer is a mental health professional with a passion for poetry. Writing under the pen name Joella Muncel, she began sharing her poetry on Substack earlier this year, where her work can be found at joellamuncel.substack.com. Currently, she’s preparing to release a collection titled Desert Fairy Tales—a whimsical journey through stories inspired by the Mojave Desert, crafted for readers of all ages.  

Steve Stajich (Stych) is the author the 2023 short story collection Not That Kind of Bad. Before transitioning to television writing, Stajich worked as a stand-up comic and singer-songwriter. His TV writing credits span popular series like Reba (CW), Daddio (NBC), Tall Hopes (CBS), This Just In (ABC), Politically Incorrect (Comedy Central), Dennis Miller (Tribune), and Evening at the Improv (A&E). In 2002, he joined the writing team for public radio’s A Prairie Home Companion. His comedy and political essays have appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, and The Los Angeles Times. Stajich’s theatrical plays have been produced in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Joshua Tree, Chicago, and Milwaukee, and he was a columnist for The Santa Monica Mirror for five years. His original music includes the CDs Dual Exhaust, Kramer vs Kramer, Expect Delays: Songs About Los Angeles, and most recently Lonesome Pioneers: Songs of the Pandemic. He resides with artist Joan Robey in Santa Monica and Twentynine Palms, CA.

Deanne Stillman is a critically acclaimed writer known for her place-based literary nonfiction. Her latest book, "Blood Brothers," explores the alliance between Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill and their time together in the Wild West Show. It received a starred review in Kirkus, was named a "best book of the year" by the millions and True West Magazine, was excerpted in Newsweek, and is currently under option. Her book "Desert Reckoning," based on a Rolling Stone piece, won the Spur and LA Press Club Awards, and was an amazon editors' pick. "Twentynine Palms," an LA Times bestseller, delves into a post-Gulf War double homicide in the scenic military town and was lauded by Hunter Thompson. "Mustang" examines the plight of wild horses in America, was an LA Times "best book of the year," won the California Book Award silver medal for nonfiction, has led to the rescue of dozens of wild horses in slaughter pipelines, and is in audio with Frances Fisher, Anjelica Huston, Wendie Malick, John Densmore, and James Morrison. Deanne's work appears in numerous publications, and her plays have been produced and awarded in festivals nationwide.

Mike Stillman first traveled on Route 66 as an infant in his parents' Rambler during the summer of 1960. He may be the only person who remembers the layout of the gold mine that his father invested in (and received little in return). In his early 20's, Stillman wrote fiction and poetry that appeared in Mendocino Review, Permafrost, Metrosphere, and Wordeater. For decades, he worked in Chicago as a Software Engineer and I.T. Specialist, but was always thinking of the desert and visiting on vacations. In 2016, he retired and moved to the Joshua Tree area, where he wrote the historical novel "In The Joshua Sea" over seven years.

Kim Stringfellow is an artist, educator, writer, and independent curator based in Joshua Tree, California. She is a Professor Emeritus at San Diego State University’s School of Art + Design. Stringfellow received her MFA in Art and Technology from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2000 and was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from Claremont Graduate University in 2018. For over two decades, Stringfellow's work has explored the human-driven transformation of the American West's arid regions. Her research-based projects merge cultural geography, public practice, and documentary into creative transmedia experiences, involving writing, photography, audio, video, installation, mapping, and community engagement. She focuses on the ecological impacts of human presence, aiming to foster discussions on complex, interrelated issues while revealing underlying human values and policy agendas. Stringfellow’s work has been funded by organizations such as California Humanities, Creative Work Fund, and the Graham Foundation. She is a 2016 Andy Warhol Foundation Curatorial Fellow and a 2015 Guggenheim Fellow in Photography. Her projects have been exhibited at venues including Desert X, LACMA, The Autry National Center, and internationally in London, Estonia, and Cuba. She has authored books like "Greetings from the Salton Sea" and "Jackrabbit Homestead" and has curated numerous projects, including "The Mojave Project Webinar Series" and "After the Aqueduct." Stringfellow's work is part of collections at Yale University, LACMA, and the Nevada Museum of Art. She has contributed to ARID: A Journal of Desert, Art and Ecology and KCET Artbound.

Lynn C. Sweet, PhD, is a Research Ecologist at the University of California, Riverside’s Center for Conservation Biology. She holds a PhD in Plant Biology from UCR and a B.S. in Biology from Dickinson College. Her research focuses on plant ecology and biogeography, addressing conservation challenges in desert ecosystems. Dr. Sweet’s studies examine the impacts of climate change and drought on plant communities, with ongoing work in the Coachella Valley and Joshua Tree National Park. She also contributes to monitoring long-term ecological changes in these regions.  

Joanna Szachowska is a published poet, painter, ceramicist, and illustrator who has lived in the Mojave Desert for nearly a decade. Originally from Poland, Joanna’s journey across the world led her to the vast and inspiring landscapes of Southern California, where she discovered her true artistic voice. Her poetry and flash fiction delve into the "Pandora's box of emotions," reflecting her deep connection with the desert’s emptiness, which she believes allows for profound self-discovery. Joanna’s multifaceted art evokes the quiet beauty of the high desert that has become her home. 

Jim Towns is a writer, award-winning filmmaker, and artist. He is the author of the novels Bloodsucker City (Castle Bridge Media) and Braddock’s Falls (Anxiety Press), as well as the nonfiction book American Cryptic and Whiskey Stories, a collection of poetry, writings, and photography (Uncle B Publications).

Brian Townsley is an award-winning writer, as well as the Executive Editor for Starlite Pulp. He is the author of the crime fiction books A Trunk Full of Zeroes and Outlaw Ballads, as well as three books of poetry. His short fiction has appeared in various publications, including Mystery Tribune, Black Mask, Quarterly West, Frontier Tales, Connecticut Review, and many others, and had a story make the distinguished list in Best American Mystery Stories, 2019. He is a graduate of the Professional Writing Program at USC and is also an alum of the mighty California Golden Bears. He shares his time between the mountains and deserts of Southern California.

Janet Tucker, author of "How to be a Minimalist Gardener in the High Desert," has been the custodian of her 1.5-acre High Desert "Park" for 25 years. She dreamed of a small house in a large garden, transforming her vision into reality through innovative watering techniques and creative space use. Janet's High Desert Minimalist Garden style celebrates the desert's unique beauty while being water-efficient, becoming a hallmark for High Desert residents. Her gardening approach involves space-consciousness and water-efficient methods, transforming outdoor areas into living extensions of homes. Through her work, Janet provides invaluable insights into creating thriving gardens in the challenging High Desert environment.

Jaan Uhelszki is a founding editor of Detroit’s legendary Creem magazine, with work featured in Rolling Stone, USA Today, Classic Rock, and Guitar World. She is the only journalist to have performed on stage with Kiss in full makeup. Recently, she co-authored MC5: An Oral Biography of Rock’s Most Revolutionary Band, released this past week. Starting at Creem, she rose to senior editor, working alongside rock icons like Lester Bangs. Jaan lives in the desert and frequently appears as a music expert on VH1’s Behind the Music.

Michael G. Vail is a novelist, short-story author and poet. His most recent book, High Desert Elegy: Stories & Poems, and his novel, The Salvation of San Juan Cajon, are available at several locations in the Morongo Basin and on Amazon. A California native, Michael divides his time between San Clemente and a former homestead cabin in Twentynine Palms.

Christian Vaughan is the author of Take Advantage of Your Crisis, a guide to navigating personal challenges and finding your way back to feeling alive. This insightful guide is based on a 10-step program developed by Christian, a roadmap that helped him regain control and find peace after experiencing profound despair.. Through his book and his website, Self-HelpHub, he shares this passion by offering daily mental health practices.

Claire Vaye Watkins was born in Bishop, California, in 1984 and raised in the Mojave Desert. She is the author of three books: the novels Gold Fame Citrus and I Love You but I’ve Chosen Darkness, and the short story collection Battleborn. Her awards include the Story Prize, Dylan Thomas Prize, New York Public Library’s Young Lions Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Silver Pen Award from the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Believer. A professor at UC Irvine, she lives in Twentynine Palms and engages in environmental activism with local conservation groups.

Kent Wilson is a writer whose work has appeared in literary magazines like Cholla Needles and Howl. He discovered fiction and poetry later in life, crafting short stories that capture the subtle moments of everyday life. Kent’s goal is to create characters with a sense of familiarity and authenticity. With family roots in the Morongo Valley—his father having attended 29 Palms High School—he brings a deep connection to the desert in his writing.  

Grant Wamack is a Navy veteran and the author of Black Gypsies, God’s Leftovers, and A Lightbulb’s Lament. With more than 40 short stories published in outlets like Dark Moon Digest, The Best of Surreal Grotesque, and The New Flesh, his work often combines analog horror, crime, and social commentary. His latest novel, Bullet Tooth, is a high-octane, hyperviolent tale set in Chicago, following a black teenage artist grappling with grief and gang violence. When not writing, Grant reads tarot cards, practices jiu-jitsu, and enjoys life in LA. Follow him via his newsletter, Literary Loud.

Susan Zakin is the author of Coyotes and Town Dogs: Earth First! and the Environmental Movement, which established her as a trenchant, irreverent commentator on U.S. environmental politics. After covering the anti-environmental backlash in Washington, D.C. as a magazine columnist and syndicated newspaper columnist, in 2001, she lived in Madagascar as the Sen. John Heinz Fellow in Environmental Reporting. That experience led her to writing about international issues, from coup d'etats and Boko Haram to reggae in refugee camps. In 2020, she founded Journal of the Plague Year, an online magazine of journalism and literary writing that is a response to the Balkanization that's impoverished both journalism and creative nonfiction. The magazine's writers include Blanche McCrary Boyd, Steve Erickson, Mikal Gilmore and other writers whose work is marked by urgency and beauty. The Journal has been compared to The Village Voice in its heyday. www.journaloftheplagueyear.ink.