FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES

All festival activities will take place from 10 am to 7 pm at the Twentynine Palms Community Center by Freedom Plaza, 6547 Freedom Way in Downtown Twentynine Palms

Festival Highlights at the Community Center:

Live Talks & Readings presented by The Harmony Motel

Book Signings & Meet the Authors presented by Visit 29 Palms

Young Readers Zone presented by Brown Bag Books

Bagel Garden presented by 29 Loaves

Bookstore presented by Desert General

Indie Authors & Publishers with a Table or Exhibit
Table #1. Steve Stajich
Author of Not That Kind of Bad (2023), former TV writer for Reba and Politically Incorrect, with comedy essays featured in major publications.
Table #2. Kelli Shapiro
Public historian and author of Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley Movie Theatres (2024), known for her landmark nominations in California and Texas.
Table #3. Tara Avery
Cartoonist, publisher, and LGBTQIA+ activist, founder of Stacked Deck Press, and creator of groundbreaking comics like We’re Still Here.
Table #4. Aaron Sheppard
Artist and author of His Eminence Shan't Attend (2024), known for his diverse creative work in Joshua Tree, including painting, performance, and tattoo art.
Table #5. Youth Research Vox
A nonprofit empowering youth through research and sustainable development projects, including a DIY Sustainable Tiny Home Project in the Hi-Desert.
Table #6. Ben Coil
Author of JOSHUA TREES: The Book, blending history, culture, and personal narrative to explore the High Desert's modern folklore.
Table #7. Keith Walter Dow
Co-founder of the Joshua Tree Writers Retreat and Dead Reckoning Collective, writing veteran-centered literature, including Karmic Purgatory.
Table #8. Barret Baumgart
Author of YUCK: The Birth and Death of the Weird and Wondrous Joshua Tree (March 2025), with work featured in The Paris Review and Vice.
Table #9. S. Kensington
Award-winning author inspired by WWII artifacts, her novel Just Another Girl on the Road delves into the complexities of war and its aftermath.
Table #10. Leo Mallette
Author of Postcard History Series: Rancho Mirage and former satellite project manager, now an adjunct faculty member at Pepperdine University.
Table #11. Joshua Tree Dream
Publisher of Glimpses of the Joshua Tree Dream, supporting local artists and nonprofits through events, e-commerce, and community engagement.
Table #12. Jamal Koussan-Price
Author of Give Away Your Attention, focusing on self-awareness and ego dissolution, drawing from his career in finance and tech.
  
Exhibit A. Kiwanis Club of 29 Palms
Global volunteer organization focused on youth leadership, education, and community impact.
Exhibit B. Starlite Pulp
Pulp book publisher and podcast producer celebrating the pulp fiction community, offering unique merchandise.
Exhibit C. Desert Writers Guild / Mojave Sage Writers
Local writing groups provide a community for authors to share and promote their work.
Exhibit D. Obi Kaufmann
Naturalist and author of the California Field Atlas, presenting California’s diverse ecology through beautiful watercolor illustrations.
Exhibit E. P.O. BOX OUTER SPACE
Joshua Tree-based zine exploring communication with the unknown, featuring readings and creative contributions.
Exhibit F. Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA)
Supporting Joshua Tree National Park through educational and research initiatives, promoting diversity and accessibility.
Exhibit G. Novel Comics + The Nartonis Project
Highlighting the West Coast art scene through storytelling, events, and educational initiatives.
Exhibit H. Norky and the Dream Factory
Family-friendly fun with Norky the Peneagle, including photo opportunities and signed book copies.