Twentynine Palms Book Festival 2026 – Nov. 13-15

This festival brings readers, authors, publishers, and entertainment professionals together to discover fresh voices in California’s high desert, celebrating stories that capture the spirit and imagination of the Golden State. All panel discussions and author talks included in the Live Session Program will be followed by book signing opportunities, providing readers with direct access to authors and their latest works.

WELCOME TO BOOK LOVERS!

The Twentynine Palms Book Festival invites readers, authors, publishers, and entertainment professionals to discover fresh voices and original stories in one of California’s most unexpected literary destinations—at the edge of the Mojave Desert.

Located just one hour from Palm Springs, three hours from Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and under four hours from Phoenix, Twentynine Palms is easy to reach yet pleasantly off the grid. The city offers a variety of lodging options—from classic desert motels and boutique hotels to character-filled short-term rentals—ideal for festival stays, book launches, and informal meetings.

Held November 13–15, the annual festival takes place during one of the desert’s most beautiful seasons, with clear skies, warm days, and cool evenings—perfect for outdoor readings, conversations under the stars, and relaxed encounters across town.

Meet the Authors

Andreas Kossak: Andreas Kossak is originally from Germany, Andreas studied film at USC and worked for over 30 years as a cinematographer, producer, and screenwriter. He joined the Writers Guild of America in 2004. Andreas taught screenwriting at CSUSB for six years and founded the “Written by Veterans” creative writing program with support from its Veterans Success Center. Andreas is associated with two movies shot in the High Desert. He produced and co-wrote one of them and served as the director of photography on the other. He also set parts of a novel in the High Desert. Andreas lives in the Low Desert.

Andrew Miller: Andrew Miller is a California-based author, screenwriter, and essayist whose work explores the darker, stranger side of Los Angeles. His debut novel, Namaste Mart Confidential, was published in 2024 and was shortlisted by Crime Fiction Lover for Best Indie Crime Novel of the Year. He is also the author of Lady Tomahawk, a novella featured in the anthology L.A. Stories. Miller’s short fiction has appeared in publications including Close to the Bone, Pulp Modern, Switchblade, and Broadswords and Blasters. Drawing inspiration from hardboiled crime fiction and Southern California, Miller creates stories filled with memorable characters, unexpected turns, and a distinctive sense of place.

Andrew Tonkovich: Andrew Tonkovich is a Southern California writer, editor, and literary broadcaster known for his contributions to the region’s literary community. He is the longtime editor of Santa Monica Review and host of Bibliocracy Radio, a literary arts program on KPFK. His essays, fiction, and reviews have appeared in publications including the Los Angeles Review of Books, ZYZZYVA, and the Los Angeles Times. Tonkovich co-edited Orange County: A Literary Field Guide with Lisa Alvarez and teaches writing at the University of California, Irvine. His work explores storytelling, culture, and the landscapes that shape contemporary California life.