Leslie Zemeckis has played many roles beyond acting: nonfiction author, documentary filmmaker, local book reviewer, and now founder of the first Santa Barbara Literary Festival.
Leslie Zemeckis has played many roles beyond acting: nonfiction author, documentary filmmaker, local book reviewer, and now founder of the first Santa Barbara Literary Festival. Credit: Julia McHugh / Noozhawk photo

The inaugural Santa Barbara Literary Festival is multifaceted, assertive, engaging, and dazzling – much like its founder. 

Throughout her career, Leslie Zemeckis has played many roles beyond acting: nonfiction author, documentary filmmaker, local book reviewer, and now a festival organizer. 

She admits that the festival is ambitious, with more than 30 panels, 20 workshops, four keynotes, and several special events at nearly 20 venues over two days. Chaucer’s Books will sell titles by participating authors before sessions, and at a pop-up store in the Santa Barbara Public Library courtyard. 

The Santa Barbara Literary Festival kicks off on Saturday with as many as eight activities running concurrently through Sunday. For schedules, tickets, or passes (sold online only) visit www.santabarbaraliteraryfestival.org. 

The workshops led by authors and industry experts explore the craft of writing – genres, timelines, first drafts, point of view, plotting, and more – as well as pitching a book idea, book marketing, and author branding. 

Author panels span fiction, nonfiction, children’s literature, screenplays, and more, and also include filmmakers, audiobook narrators, journalists, marketers, agents, artists, and designers. 

Festival Founders and “Daring Women” 

Zemeckis moved to Santa Barbara with her husband, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump,” “Back to the Future”), and their three children were born here. 

Her early acting credits include series “Silk Stockings,” “Becker,” and “Diagnosis Murder,” and she’s appeared in several of his films, including “The Polar Express” and “Here.” 

Her writing and directing explore the histories of marginalized or stigmatized women. “But acting, writing, and directing are all different ways of telling stories,” she said. 

Her first documentary, “Behind the Burly Q,” was a history of old-time burlesque that ran on Showtime in 2010, followed by the companion book in 2013. She has since written other nonfiction books about burlesque figures and directed documentaries on subjects such as conjoined twins, the first woman circus tiger trainer, and 19th-century Parisian courtesans. 

“I’d been to lots of literary festivals as a speaker and on panels,” said Zemeckis. “I was inspired to start one here by the work done by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and its executive director, Roger Durling.”

Santa Barbara Literary Festival co-founder Lorissa Reinhart’s most recent book is “Winning the Earthquake,” a biography of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Santa Barbara Literary Festival co-founder Lorissa Rinehart’s most recent book is “Winning the Earthquake,” a biography of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Credit: Courtesy photo

She co-founded the festival with Lorissa Rinehart, a Santa Barbara author, women’s historian, and the creator of “The Female Body Politic” on Substack. 

The pair connected when Rinehart submitted her 2023 book “First to the Front,” about female war correspondent Dickey Chapelle, for mention in Zemeckis’ monthly Montecito Journal book column.

They bonded over their shared fascination with trailblazing women. Rinehart’s most recent book is “Winning the Earthquake,” a biography of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Once they decided on a festival, it came together organically. 

“We each used our skill sets,” Rinehart said. “Leslie took the lead on inviting authors, as she’s had her column for years and has many contacts. I did the website, helped get venues, and worked on programming for children and teens.”

Given their mutual interest, several panels are dedicated to elevating female voices and addressing women’s issues, including one moderated by actress Mariel Hemingway. 

Rinehart booked the aptly named “Daring Women” panel of women writers and others who have successfully risen from adversity. She will participate in “Against Erasure” on Saturday and moderate “Money, Power, & Belief” on Sunday. 

Zemeckis prefers to stay behind the scenes, but is on the aptly named panel “Bad Girls” with three other female authors who write about women who refuse to behave. 

“I love the authors I’ve booked, that’s why they are here,” Zemeckis said. “The writing community is so supportive. You ask them to show up, and they will.” 

The festival also benefits Santa Barbara, pointed out Zemeckis. “With all the different venues in downtown, audiences will be able to walk around, stop at a coffee shop, or get a bite.”

Reinhart added, “All of us are coming together to celebrate storytelling and to build meaningful communities with each other. We will enjoy books, find friends, and share the joy of reading.”

Keynote Speakers

Two keynote speakers at the Santa Barbara Literary Festival on Saturday are legendary mystery writer Walter Mosley (left), creator of the Easy Rawlins series set in Los Angeles, at the Lobero Theatre, and Kim Michele Richardson, the Kentucky-born historical fiction author of “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” at the Alhecama Theatre.
The Saturday keynote speakers are legendary mystery writer Walter Mosley (left) at the Lobero Theatre and Kim Michele Richardson at the Alhecama Theatre. Credit: Courtesy photos

The first of two keynote speakers on Saturday is Kim Michele Richardson, the Kentucky-born historical fiction author of “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek,” appearing at the Alhecama Theatre. 

“She’s incredible,” said Zemeckis. “Her memoir, ‘The Unbreakable Child,’ blew me away.” 

Legendary mystery writer Walter Mosley, the author of the immensely popular Easy Rawlins series set in Los Angeles, speaks that evening at the Lobero Theatre. 

Chris Whitaker (left), known for his genre-defying literary thrillers including “All the Colors of the Dark,” and Steven Rowley, Thurber Prize winner for American Humor for “The Guncle,” appear in back-to-back keynote presentations at the Unitarian Society on Sunday.
Chris Whitaker (left), known for his genre-defying literary thrillers including “All the Colors of the Dark,” and Steven Rowley, Thurber Prize winner for American Humor for “The Guncle,” appear in back-to-back keynote presentations at the Unitarian Society on Sunday. Credit: Courtesy photos

Sunday keynotes are both at the Unitarian Society and feature Chris Whitaker (“All the Colors of the Dark”) followed by Steven Rowley (“The Guncle”).

Though not a keynote, both festival founders highlighted the appearance of Susan Orlean (“The Orchid Thief”), who will discuss her new memoir, “Joyride” with Bruce Cameron (“A Dog’s Purpose”) on Saturday afternoon at the Lobero. 

“As a nonfiction writer, she is such a hero of mine, such an inspiration,” said Rinehart. 

Zemeckis added, “We are so grateful, as other festivals wanted her and didn’t get her.” 

Writer Panels and Workshops 

Author Susan Orlean (“The Orchid Thief”) will discuss her new memoir, “Joyride,” with Bruce Cameron (“A Dog’s Purpose”) on Saturday afternoon at the Lobero Theatre.
Author Susan Orlean (“The Orchid Thief”) will discuss her new memoir, “Joyride,” with Bruce Cameron (“A Dog’s Purpose”) on Saturday afternoon at the Lobero Theatre.
Credit: Courtesy photo

At the heart of the festival are the many author panels and workshops held at the Riviera Theatre, Karpeles Museum, CEC Environmental Hub, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Courthouse Distillery, Crafter’s Library, and Canary Hotel, among other locations. 

A sampling of the author panels and workshops offered this weekend:

Screenwriters Matthew Weiner (the man behind “Mad Men”) and John Gatins (“Flight”) discuss the “Art of the Script.”

Screenwriter Bob Gale revisits the making of “Back to the Future” with actor Billy Zane, who made his film debut in the 1985 movie. 

A mini Kid Lit festival, programmed by Reinhart and author Mike Bender (“The Most Serious Fart”), offers free morning “Read-Alongs” at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, along with related panels and workshops. 

“Memoir, Music, and Cocktails,” held Saturday afternoon at Restaurant Roy, blends musical performances with panels, including one inspired by Peter Richardson’s book “Brand New Beat” about the rise of Rolling Stone magazine. 

The Pico Adobe (in El Presidio State Historic Park) is the site of a Culinary Storyteller Panel and Artisan Market (complete with treats and beverages) on Saturday and a Bespoke Print Panel and Faire (featuring creatives from around the world) on Sunday. 

A panel dedicated to romantasy (love story-driven fantasy books) is set for Sunday morning at Courthouse Distillery, along with other sessions scattered throughout the schedule.

“I had to reach out to these writers,” said Zemeckis. “As a group, they were thankful for being included. One author told me, ‘festivals don’t take us seriously.’”

On Saturday, filmmaker Kim A. Snyder discusses and presents clips from her award-winning documentary “The Librarians,” which follows librarians united in Florida, Texas, and other states to combat book banning. Moderated by Susan Orlean.  

Sunday’s “The Power of the Book Club” explores how coming together over a love of books can uplift communities, even in correctional facilities. Moderated by Donna Wares, founder of the LA Times Book Club.