The Inland Empire has long been stereotyped by the rest of Southern California—dismissed as “just the area east of Los Ángeles.” On October 11th, Riverside hosted the IE’s first-ever book festival, bringing together local voices, writers, and community members to celebrate in telling its own stories. Continue reading The Inland Empire Now Has its Own Book Festival
Through the love and power of zines and the support of community, poet and activist Ra Avis and her team have brought the power of the written word to the streets of Long Beach. Continue reading The Long Beach Zine Fair that Community Built
In July, the Greater Los Ángeles literary community lost poet, husband and engineer, Wyatt Underwood. Lynne Bronstein writes about this man known for his cheerful spririt who supported poets across the community. He will be missed. Continue reading Searching for A Bard: Remembering Wyatt Underwood
Da Poetry Lounge has been a cornerstone of L.Á.’s spoken word scene since 1998. And now, they’re entering a new chapter in Leimert Park. Continue reading Da Poetry Lounge is Moving
Local poet and performer Pastiche Queen said The Los Angeles Press failed to communicate, didn’t deliver on contractual promises, and made them pay for costs publishers are supposed to cover, after agreeing to publish their chapbook “Trans Velociraptors.” Continue reading Local Poet and Performer, Pastiche Queen, Alleges Local Press Charged Fees and Failed to Follow Through on Publishing Agreement
As ICE raids spark protests across L.Á., the city’s literary community is stepping up. Continue reading The Greater Los Ángeles Literary Community’s Response to the Recent ICE Raids
Arts funding is being gutted. Grants are rescinded mid-cycle. Diverse literary voices are being pushed to the margins—again. But at Los Angeles Literature, we’re not backing down. Continue reading Letter From the Editor: Writers, Publishers and Literary Organizations Face Uncertain Future
On May 3rd, Avenue 50 Studio in Highland Park relaunched its signature open mic, La Palabra, with new host: poet Pam Concepcion, during an afternoon honoring the nearby neighborhoods impacted by January’s Eaton Fire. Continue reading The Relaunch of La Palabra
Last Sunday’s reading and conversation, “Places We Call Home: Exile, Change and Collective Futures,” at Avenue 50 Studio, featured local poets William Archila, Cynthia Guardado, and Janel Pineda. Together, they explored how U.S. neocolonialism continues to shape the Salvadoran American experience—and the poets who write powerfully about it. Continue reading Places We Call Home
Writer and storyteller Ashton Cynthia Clarke lived in Altadena for 24+ years. Then, on January 7, the Eaton Fire broke out in the San Gabriel Mountain foothills behind her home. This is her story about her life in Altadena and how she was affected by the devastating wildfire. Continue reading A Writer’s Life in Altadena: In the Line of Arts and the Eaton Fire
