Festival of Books

The JASNA Southwest booth at the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books welcomes nearly 2,000 visitors each April, introducing many area Janeites to JASNA Southwest. Wares available in the booth include Austen’s complete ouevre, of course, along with Spanish-language editions, tote bags, t-shirts, journals and a host of Austen-inspired books — from gardening to Regency-era history.

Authors of Austen-related books greet visitors and sign copies of their works.

Emily Bergman oversees the annual effort, managing numerous volunteers. Nancy Gallagher organizes the selection and delivery of books from Vroman’s Bookstore.

JASNA Southwest has participated in the Festival of Books — the nation’s largest literary and cultural festival — since 2011.

Nancy Gallagher ready to ring up sales

Nancy Gallagher takes a quick break between sales.

JASNA Southwest helped visitors beat the heat at the 2019 festival with our new, I’m a Jane Austen Fan fans!

JASNA Southwest partners with Vroman’s bookstore to offer an array of Austen-related items.

One visitor’s t-shirt summed up how many of us feel about reading, especially reading Jane Austen.

Poster highlighting our Instagram account

Visitors peruse the selection of items.

Karen Rueda and Jane Boltz

The 2018 booth attracted a record-breaking 1,728 visitors, which was broken again in 2019, with 1,748 visitors.

Author Melissa Buell signed copies of books from her “Holidays With Jane” collection at the festival.

Carolyne Bardeleben and Emily Bergman ready to greet visitors to the booth.

A visitor signing up for the JASNA-SW mailing list

Terry Ryan greeting a visitor to the booth

Visitors check out the displays and books.

Festival of Books coordinator Emily Bergman

Festival of Books Coordinator Emily Bergman