The Sonora Writers Group and Manzanita Writers Press have joined together to celebrate the rich literary spirit of our communities. Together, we are dedicated to creating an event where stories, voices, and ideas can thrive by bringing readers and writers together in a shared love of the written and spoken word. The Mother Lode Book Festival shines a spotlight on local and regional writers and poets, offering them an opportunity to share their work, connect with audiences, and inspire new generations of storytellers. By fostering creativity and conversation, we aim to highlight the vibrant cultural landscape of our region and ensure that its voices are heard, celebrated, and remembered.
Manzanita Writers Press is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) literary publisher based in San Andreas, California, serving the Mother Lode region of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Through book publishing, workshops, anthologies, classes, lectures, and public events, the organization brings writers, readers, and artists together to celebrate creativity and storytelling. To date, Manzanita Writers Press has published more than 40 books by regional authors and actively promotes the literary and visual arts throughout Calaveras, Amador, and Tuolumne counties.
The Sonora Writers Group, founded in 2003, is a vibrant community of published and emerging writers rooted in California’s historic Gold Rush Country. Meeting monthly, members support one another across genres through thoughtful feedback, encouragement, and shared commitment to the written word. Their most recent anthology, When Rain Will Come, was published in 2024.
Mission Statement
The Mother Lode Book Festival celebrates the power of words by bringing together writers, poets, and readers from across the region. Through collaboration and creativity, we showcase local voices, strengthen community, and keep our shared literary tradition thriving.
Contact
For questions or concerns, please contact blanchelabrams@gmail.com, amy.luning@gmail.com, and manzanitawp@gmail.com.