West Hollywood Book Fair

The West Hollywood Book Fair was founded by the City of West Hollywood in May, 2002 as a means of continuing West Hollywood’s history of participating in reading and literacy programs. The inaugural West Hollywood Book Fair was held on Saturday, October 5, 2002. The Fair was a tremendous success as a community literary event.

The Book Fair has grown in size and prestige each year since. It is now known as one of Southern California’s most eclectic literary events, and is inclusive of nearly all genres and age levels. The 5th Annual Book Fair, held on September 17, 2006, drew over 20,000 guests, 300 participating authors and actors, 150 volunteers and over 100 exhibitors. The authors appeared in panels, live storytelling and theatrical performances and in writing workshops on 12 stages. They also engaged in Celebrity Story time, a Reader’s Theater hosted by the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles and other programs in our Children & Families area.

The Book Fair has also received several Awards of Excellence from the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS). Our last Award of Excellence in the category of Neighborhood and Community Life was presented to the Fair at the CPRS Annual Conference which was held in Sacramento, CA. in March 2006. This top honor is bestowed on agencies that represent the finest in recreation programming. Our other awards have been presented to us for our Book Fair marketing campaign, logo, and our event program.

Most notably, the event is organized by a Book Fair Planning Committee of about 30 people, including representatives from local schools, businesses, media, literary non-profit organizations, literary agents, community members, sponsors, poets, novelists and members of City Boards and Commissions. The Committee provides City Staff with direction and ideas for Book Fair programming, marketing, logistics and more.