Inaugural Literary Festival Writes New Chapter In Santa Fe Cultural History

The weekend of May 20th-23rd the local community was fortunate to host, and be part of, the inaugural Santa Fe Literary Festival. An absolute stellar line-up of world class authors presented to guests from all over the world. A partial list of authors includes: Colson Whitehead, Sandra Cisneros, John Grisham, Joy Harjo, George R.R. Martin, Don Winslow, N. Scott Momaday Margaret Atwood, and Jon Krakauer.

Each day authors took to the stage to share personal stories about their experiences as writers, pressing issues of today that impact their perspectives and work, and unique relationships with teachers, agents, or other writers which helped shape their careers. The conversations were intimate and insightful.

Each day also offered smaller breakout sessions focused on flavors and culture from top culinary chefs and their cookbooks and walking tours with historical-focused authors about the influence of New Mexico upon the literary landscape.

Event founders are: longtime Santa Fe publicist Clare Hertel, food writer Julia Platt Leonard of Santa Fe and the UK, and editor and publisher Mark Bryant of Santa Fe. They are the Festival’s all-volunteer management team. They share, “Storytelling, like music and art, has the power to transport people across borders, cultures, and worlds beyond their own. The convergence of words, ideas, and imagination truly knows no bounds. This power resonates in Santa Fe’s literary history, which has always made space for a range of voices, ideas, and points of view.”

Organizers did an incredible job at crafting a thoughtful, well-organized, seamless event which was both inspiring and thought-provoking. Trend Magazine was thrilled to be part of, and to document, the experience!