by Nardine Saad
FROM: The L.A. Times

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The 25th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Stories & Ideas has completed its table of contents for the literary celebration’s 2020 pandemic edition.

The virtual event will mark the anniversary by holding 25 virtual panels and readings over 25 days. Authors will include Marilynne Robinson, Ayad Akhtar, former California Gov. Jerry Brown, Maria Hinojosa, inaugural Ray Bradbury prize winner Marlon James, actress Natalie Portman and actor Henry Winkler, The Times announced Thursday.

This year’s e-festival begins Oct. 18 and continues over four weeks, rather than taking place over the usual two weekend days.

Writers, poets, artists, storytellers and bookstore exhibitors have been tapped to participate in author panels, readings and other virtual events. There will be children’s story time with Natalie Portman and others; a conversation on the Black experience including Times Christopher Isherwood Prize winner Emily Bernard; exchanges on romantic fiction; an election day-eve panel among Jean Guerrero, Kurt Andersen and Stuart Stevens, and a conversation with Robinson.

“Organizing a festival during a pandemic has been quite interesting and different,” programming organizer Ann Binney said in an email. “In many ways, not having to deal with travel budgets and strict schedule availability has made authors a lot more accessible. We’re less constrained by time and place. The time commitment we ask for, rather than a couple of days when you consider travel to/from L.A., is more like a couple of hours!” Read Rest of Article Here