2018 Rancho Mirage Writers Festival Program

• Doors to the Library will open at 7:30 am each morning. Coffee will be TIPS TO HELP
available at 7:30 am each morning on the patio, sponsored by Desert Allergy, YOU ENJOY THE

Diane and Dr. David Waldman. FESTIVAL

• Admission to all events is with a personalized all-access lanyard. Please wear

it at all times. Your lanyard gives you access to the library during the festival as Have questions or
need assistance?
well as lunch. Replacement lanyards will not be issued.
There is a guest services desk at the
library where you will find a lost and
• Author sessions last approximately 45 minutes. Some authors will leave found. Staff members are also eager
time for questions and answers. During the Q & A, please speak clearly and to help. They are wearing RMWF
limit your interactions to a single question. polo shirts and STAFF lanyards.

Comment forms
• Seating is available at each venue on a first come, first served basis. If a are available.
room at the library is full to capacity, we suggest that you enjoy an author in We would love to hear what you
another room. Purchase of a Festival pass does not guarantee admission to any liked and your suggestions for the
individual presentation. 2019 Rancho Mirage Writers Festival.


• Please greet our writers, introduce yourself, and give them a warm Rancho
Mirage welcome.


• Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices before the start of each
event. Feel free to tweet, post to Facebook, and use other social media to tell

friends about your favorite authors. No flash photography or audio/visual MMXVIII
recording is permitted.

• The temperature in the building can and does fluctuate, so it is best to dress in

layers or bring a sweater. A CELEBRATION OF MMXVIII
READER
• The 15 minute intervals between presentations are perfect times to purchase THE WRITTEN WORD

books and get your favorite authors to sign them. Authors will be signing books
between sessions. ANGEL

THE WRITTEN WORD
• To access the Library WiFi, sign onto the “Rancho Public” network, open an A CELEBRATION OF
Internet browser app or window, and you are on!

50

RESTAURANT PARTNERS




After a stimulating day at the festival, adjourn to one of these great local restaurants for an early dinner.
These restaurants will be offering a discount to festival goers January 24–26. Please call for reservations and be
sure and wear your badge to receive your discount.






ACQUA IL CORSO LE DONNE CUCINA ITALIANA
71-700 CA-111 73520 El Paseo 72-624 El Paseo
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 Palm Desert, CA 92260 Palm Desert, CA 92260
tel: 760-862-9800 tel: 760-341-6700 tel: 760-773-9441










MR. LYONS PIZZA VINO RISTORANTE MAMA GINA
233 E. Palm Canyon Dr. 73722 El Paseo #1 73705 El Paseo
Palm Springs, CA 92264 Palm Desert, CA 92260 Palm Desert, CA 92260
tel: 760-327-1551 tel: (760) 568-2525 tel: (760) 568-9898












TRATTORIA TIRAMISU WALLY’S DESERT TURTLE
72655 Highway 111 71775 Highway 111
Palm Desert, CA 92260 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
tel: 760-773-9100 tel: 760-568-9321








51

BE AN ANGEL! FOUNDER’S
PLEDGE

By donating $5,000, you help support honoraria and travel for our

truly amazing Festival writers. “My goal is to create an

outstanding, world-renowned
FESTIVAL BUDGET Festival. I volunteer my time
all year to work toward that

aim. I give $5,000 each year
80% 20%
Angels Donations Festival Passes to be an Angel because it’s
the Angels’ support that
brings the most acclaimed
Our Angels allow us to make this Festival a world-class event, with and talented writers to the

some of the best writers in the world. With the support of our Angels Festival every year.”

— Jamie Kabler,
we are also able to keep the cost of Festival passes low, compared to Festival Founder
other festivals that charge as much as $1,000 per person.



Only a limited number of people can be Angels each year.


Angel Benefits Include:

• Two all access passes

• Reserved seating for all writer’s talks

• Angels only evening event with
dinner and keynote speaker

• Reserved seating for lunch each day

• Dedicated concierge service
2017 Angels exclusive presentation


Donations to the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival, a 501(C)(3) organization, are tax deductible to the
extent allowed by law. Federal Tax ID number 37-1754922

52

2018 Golden Angels ($20,000) Robin & Robert Berman

SUPPORTERS Eisenhower Medical Center Harriet Bernstein
Ruth & Morris Beschloss
Helene Galen
Chotsie Blank
Founding Angels Patti & Jack Grundhofer Annette Bloch
Jan Salta
Lynn Booth
n Helene Galen Sandra & Robert Borns
n Diane & Hal Gershowitz Silver Angels ($10,000) Sandra Bosley
n Anne Holland Mary & Jerome Angel Hon. Barbara Boxer & Stewart Boxer
n Lois Horvitz* Auen Foundation Edye & Eli Broad

n Donna MacMillan Sherrie & Ron Auen Hon. Kathleen Brown & Van Gordon Sauter
Dan Clivner & Steven Cochran Carol Buck
n Madeline Redstone
Mira Clivner Rosemarie & Dean Buntrock
Judy & Alex Campbell
Bryn & Richard DeBeikes
Jacqueline Carr & Shawn Beck
Jeannette & Raymond Galante
Lyn Chernis & Robert Morris
Samie & Tom Lang
Joanne & Bill Chunowitz
Catharine Reed
Pat & Ira Cohen

Nancy Crandall
Angels ($5,000)
Laurie & Gary Crocker
Cindy & Bob Abramovitz
Desert Allergy Center,
Aileen Adams & Geoffrey Cowan
Diane & Dr. David Waldman
Mary Cunningham Agee
Diane Deshong
Nancy & Perry Altshule
Joel Douglas
Barbara Andersen
Sherry Dumke
Nancy & Terry Anderson
Susan Eisenhower
Janet Anixter & Jo Ann Anixter Silva
Phyllis Epstein
Anonymous
Joyce & Hal Frank
Anonymous
Carol Frankel
Jane & Bob Anspach
Joyce & Henry Freund
Judith & Robert Appelbaum
Loren & Howard Friend
Lynn Armstrong
Barbara Fromm & Debra Star
Sofia & Vasilis Bacolitsas
Jeannette & Raymond Galante
Ellen Bakst
Helene Galen
* In Memoriam Nora & Guy Barron Christina Gantz
Bunni & Rick Benaron
Anita & Tony Garnier
Sally & Miles Berger
53 Angie Gerber & Vern Kozlen

Diane & Hal Gershowitz Louise & Stuart Korshak Jackie Rudman & Marshall Gelfand
Wendy & Robert Goodfriend Sally & Jonathan Kovler Jan Salta
Susan Goodman & Rodney Lubeznik Dr. Susan Krevoy & Leo Spiwak Virginia Sapp & William Pierpoint
John D. & Amy Jo Gottfurcht, Marjorie & Steven Kulp Faye Sarkowsky
SSI Investment Management, Inc. Suzy & Mike Leprino Gail & Robert Scadron
Ilene & Ross Grabel Mary Vaughn Lester Phyllis & Gary Schahet
Jessica & Gary Grace Nancy & Larry Levitt Ambassador Rockwell & Marna Schnabel
Peggy & James Greenbaum Carol Lewis Arlene Schnitzer
Lisa & Dick Gunning Barbara & Ken Lieberman Jordan Schnitzer
Rosalind & Stanley Hack Brenda & Paul Lilly Lois Schnitzer
Lola & Duane Hagadone Connie & Bob Lurie Christine & James Scott
Marilyn & Monty Hall Donna MacMillan Malcom Segal & Harry Oppenheimer
Sharon Hall & Todd Kessler Katherine & Judd Malkin Lori & Aubrey Serfling
Sue Hancock Harold Matzner Annette & Leonard Shapiro
Judy & Scott Harrington Cheryl McArthur Jane & Larry Sherman
Carol & Hank Harris JoAnn McGrath Councilmember Iris Smotrich & Thom Smotrich
Sandy Hill & Fran Muir Susan Meredith & Marjorie Victor Elizabeth & Johan Sorensen
H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation Darlene Mour Cathy & Tod Spieker
Councilmember Dana Hobart & Vicki Hobart Tricia & James Munro Leslie & Bob Spivak
Anne Holland Donivee & Merrill Nash Diane Steffy
Roberta Holland & Nancy Stone Patty & Arthur Newman Deanie & Jay Stein
Frances Horwich DeeAnn & Larry Nichols Stephanie & Jerry Stern
Sydney Huffines Reesa & Gerald Niznick Sheila & Ira Stone
Suz Hunt Cydney & Bill Osterman Barbera Thornhill
Peggy Jacobs & Bob Howard Dr. Marsha & Bill Pachter Ambassador Tim Timkin & Sue Timken
Deborah & Arthur Jacobson Jody Parker Kimberly & Lawrence Turner
Frank Jones Kevin Parker Leslie & Dr. Barry Usow
Jamie Kabler Heidi Peyton Lonna Wais
Carol & William Kaplan Alana & Stephen Polacheck Robert Walker & Ernest Phinney
Jo Kaplan & Larry Feldman Bettsy & Wallace Preble Phyllis & Dennis Washington
Ruth & Mal Kaufman Gwen Ramras Councilmember Ted Weill & Jenny Weill
Debra Dann Kay & Trudy Schwartz Vicki Rauscher & Jean Viereck Devorah & Ron Weinstein
Suzanne & Ric Kayne Stacey & Greg Renker JoAnn Wellner
Linda & Kerry Killinger Linda Rider & Bobbie Stern Marguerite & David Wilson
Arlene & Dan Kirby Hon. Richard Riordan & Elizabeth Riordan Lili Ann & Richard Zisook
Sally & Mort Kirshner Sharon & Nelson Rising Shelly & Steve Zucker
Susan & Bruce Konheim Marion & Robert Rosenthal
54

WITH GREAT RANCHO MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL

THANKS Mayor Charles Townsend
Mayor Pro Tem Richard W. Kite
Councilmember G. Dana Hobart
RMWF Board of Directors Councilmember Iris Smotrich

Jamie Kabler, Chair and President Councilmember Ted Weill
Susan L. Davis, Vice President RANCHO MIRAGE CITY STAFF
Helene Galen, Secretary Randal K. Bynder, City Manager
Madeline Redstone, Treasurer Steve Quintanilla, City Attorney
Councilmember Iris Smotrich Isaiah Hagerman, Director of Administrative Services
Councilmember G. Dana Hobart Gloria Griego, Contract Specialist
David Bryant, Ex-Officio
THE ANNENBERG RETREAT AT SUNNYLANDS
Founder Ambassador David Lane, President

Jamie Kabler Susan L. Davis, Editorial Director
(co-founder Susan Rosser)
ANGEL AND AUTHOR CONCIERGES
Elizabeth Lorenz, Lead Festival Concierge • Marcus Aleman • Jason Bruecks • Julie Childers • Sid Craig
Robbie Lomes • Daniel McCullor • Kristie Ramos • Diane Sagan • Tom Truhe
The Festival would not come
together, be as organized, and EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING ART DIRECTOR
such a friendly experience for Debbie Green Deborah Dejah Rachel Horwitz
our Angels and Readers without
Aaron Espinosa. As Library RANCHO MIRAGE LIBRARY & OBSERVATORY STAFF
Operations Manager, Aaron Omar Alonso • Debbie Avila • Pamela Birky • Olivia Correa • June Corrigan • Marnie Cortez • Denise Crawford
oversees staffing, basic logistics, and attendee services. Majna Dukic • Jeffery Durham • Susan Eaglin • Jose Escobar • Ron Hall • Paul Harris • Victor Hawkins
He is the architect of our Festival and he makes the Cynthia Hernandez • Craig Holmes • Astrid Jastremski • Andrew Johnson • Brian Kephart • Dusty Knapp
magic happen. And thank you to his wife for letting Lori Lafond • Angela LaPick • Monique Llort • Tom Lutgen • Tiana Mackamule • Carrol Magder • Mari Messersmith
him work so hard on our behalf. Frank Michel • Alma Mondragon • David Murguia • Pablo Navarro • Marvin Norman • Denee Phillips
J Fabian Pimentel • Deanna Rallo • Lois Reese • Sandra Russell • Eugene Scott • Karen Spencer • Jayne Staehle
Robin Gold retired as the Cindy Stoddard • Dennis Sullivan • Glenda Taborsky • Alexandra Trejo
Executive Director of the
Savannah Book Festival, moved Sincere thanks to the Rancho Mirage Police Department for traffic control and security.
West and has become a great Thank you to Diane and Dr. David Waldman for sponsoring the Koffi Cart.
addition to the RMWF team.
Robin is our C-SPAN Books Rancho Mirage City Attorney Steve Quintanilla, and his able team of
facilitator responsible for getting C-SPAN Books to lawyers, have given hundreds of hours of legal services to the Writers
cover our Festival and in addition she launched our Festival. Their generous contribution has assisted in many ways, making
Rancho Mirage Writers Series. the Festival a success since the first year, 2014.
55

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS


Without these terrific partners and sponsors, the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival would not be possible

















BOOK STORE














































56

HONOR ROLL OF WRITERS THAT HAVE APPEARED AT THE RMWF 2014 –2017


David Abrams Jeff Chang Jesssica Fellowes Pico Iyer Dr. Valter Longo Dennis Prager Deborah Solomon
Dr. David B. Agus Lee Child Nathan Filer Colonel Jack Jacobs Laurence Luckinbill Richard Reeves Candy Spelling
Jonathan Allen Michael Childers Karen Joy Fowler T. Geronimo Johnson Janice Lyle Anne Rice Kevin Starr
Marie Arana William D. Cohan Lucinda Franks Beverly Johnson Beth Macy Christopher Rice Bret Stephens
Shalom Auslander Bob Colacello Hal Gershowitz Geoffrey Kabaservice Bob Mankoff Linda Johnson Rice Debra Tate
Matt Bai Reed Farrel Coleman Masha Gessen Marvin Kalb Molly Guptill Manning Richard J. Riordan Evan Thomas
Susan Ford Bales Jackie Collins Dana Gioia Joseph Kanon Jason Matthews Andrew Roberts Héctor Tobar
Dave Barry Kelly Corrigan Jonathan Gottschall Jodi Kantor Scott McEwen Richard Rodriguez David Ulin
Peter Bart Geoffrey Cowan Lauren Groff Victoria Kastner Dinaw Mengestu Theodore Roosevelt IV Robert Wagner
A. Scott Berg Clifton Truman Daniel Annabelle Gurwitch Kevin Keating Travis Mills Stacy Schiff Joseph Wambaugh
Manoah Bowman Jonathan Darman Garth Risk Hallberg David Hume Kennerly Lorrie Moore Lisa See Sam Wasson
Hon. Barbara Boxer Bill Dedman Chad Harbach Alice Kessler-Harris Andrew Neiderman Jeff Shaara Tim Weiner
Jennifer Finney Boylan Nicholas Delbanco Peter Heller Chip Kidd Celeste Ng Ari Shavit Del Quentin Wilber
H.W. Brands Sally Denton Carl Hiaasen Phil Klay Andrew Jackson Maggie Shipstead Victoria Wilson
Richard Breitman Matthew Dickman Robert Hicks G. Bruce Knecht O’Shaughnessy Gary Shteyngart Simon Winchester
Douglas Brinkley Michael Dickman Tom Holland Thomas Lauderdale Evan Osnos Hampton Sides Lawrence Wright
Geraldine Brooks Lord Michael Dobbs Matthias Hollwich Fredrik Logevall Amie Parnes Mona Simpson Michael York
Daniel James Brown David Ebershoff Karen Elliott House Sarah Lewis Chris Pavone Dr. Gary Small Pat York
Craig Carlson Susan Eisenhower Edward Humes Eric Lichtblau Nathaniel Philbrick April Smith Carl Zimmer
Sean B. Carroll Linda Fairstein Barbara Isenberg Ron Lieber Arthur Phillips Katy Simpson Smith Richard Zoglin




DEBEIKES GALANTE
SCHOLARS SCHOLARS



We are please to announce that We are grateful to Jeannette
Bryn and Richard DeBeikes have and Raymond Galante for
underwritten a program to bring sponsoring the best and
exceptional college students from brightest students in the
southern California universities, Coachella Valley, along with
including USC and UCLA, to their teachers, to attend the
participate in the 2018 Rancho 2017 Festival.
Mirage Writers Festival.
Pictured to the left: Galante
These talented students will fully Scholars with Festival
participate in the Festival, as well favorite Dave Barry.
as engage in private meetings
with Festival authors.
57

RMWF Mississippi River Cruise

Cruising October 13 to 20, 2018, aboard a stunning new ship
Cruising the Mississippi River and its tributaries is an exploration of the American spirit. Gliding past the rolling farmland is an experience set in a time past
and a testament to the ingenuity of the pioneers who first traveled these waters. The fabric of the region is brought to life through our delicious regional cuisine,
great onboard music, and customized excursions to historical landmarks.

We will be cruising on a brand new ship! Included in the cruise is one night in Memphis on October 12. There is also an option to stay one night in New
Orleans at additional cost on October 20. Airfare is not included. There are only 100 cabins, and they are selling quickly.

For pricing, additional information, or to reserve your cabin, contact Marjorie Kulp at [email protected].














Famed presidential Noted Southern Private tour in Natchez
Join Helene Galen historian Douglas historian Robert with renowned mystery

and me as we cruise Brinkley will be on Hicks will greet us in writer Greg Iles, author
board to give a talk on Memphis of Mississippi Blood
the Mississippi. the Civil War

—Jamie Kabler






The Sixth Annual

Rancho Mirage Writers Festival
January 23-25, 2019


“GREAT WARS”



Passes will go on sale March 1, 2018. Prices
will not be increased for the 2019 Festival.

Look for an email with more details.
58

The Sixth Annual Rancho Mirage Writers Festival
will be January 23-25, 2019


Passes for the 2019 RMWF will go on sale March 1, 2018.

Look for an email with more details.











RANCHO MIRAGE WRITERS FES TIVAL

Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory, 71-100 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
tel 760-341-7323 fax 760-341-5213 email [email protected] web rmwritersfest.org