2025 Mother Lode Book Festival

May 03, 2025

The Mother Lode Book Festival in Murphys, CA

May 3, 2025, 9 am- 5 pm

Register

This first annual event at the Native Sons Hall promises to be a vibrant celebration of literature and community. Nestled in the charming historic town of Murphys, this festival will bring together authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts to celebrate the written word. With a diverse lineup of events, including author tables, book signings, workshops, and panel discussions, attendees can engage with their favorite writers and discover new voices. The festival will also feature a variety of regional and local authors, publishers, and speakers, making it a perfect day out for families and book lovers alike. Whether you’re an avid reader or just looking for a fun cultural experience, the Mother Lode Book Festival is an event not to be missed.

Workshops and speakers from 9 am to 12 noon - $35.00 fee for workshops if purchased online by April 20 – $40 after that date, and $45 at the door. Author signings and tables from 1-4 pm. Author readings 4 pm – 5 pm. Authors with books for sale at the table and who have registered as a vendor can set up books early and will have access to the Main Hall workshops with an additional $35 workshop fee.

Native Sons Hall - 389 Main Street, Murphys, CA 95247

Hosted by Manzanita Writers Press with Calaveras Writers and the Sonora Writers Group

Workshops:

Sara Lunsford – YouTube for Writers – and Podcasting for authors

Katie Stine – Historical Fiction

Manzanita Writers Press – Preparing your manuscript for agents and publication – Monika Rose, editor, and Joyce Dedini-Runnells, layout designer – plus Indie press publication tips

Children’s Book author panel

More workshop choices are being planned. Hold onto your hats!

Schedule:

8:00-9:00 am – register– coffee klatch time with mingling and schmoozing – pick stickers that showcase your talent and put them on yourself – examples: author, poet, networking expert, influencer, Beta Reader, presenter, publicity hound, editor, illustrator or designer, etc. Multiple stickers are great. Find people whose talents you can team up with and hang out with them! Contribute to a collaborative writing collage throughout the day. Participate in a treasure hunt of glass menagerie woodland animals at local businesses, wineries, and establishments in town - see the listings. Find the crystal animal, return it to complete the collection, and win a prize.

9:00 – Hall - introductions – inspirational speaker –

9:30-10:30 am – Workshop in the hall – Historical Fiction writing - Katie Stine

9:30-10:30 am - Workshop at Serendipity - Preparing your manuscript for agent/publication - Monika and Joyce

10:45 - noon - Workshop in the hall - YouTube for authors and podcasting - Sarah Lunsford

10:45-noon - Workshop at Serendipity — Sonora writers Brian Winters

12 pm - 1 pm - Lunch on your own

1-2 pm - Children’s book panel back corner in the hall - children’s book authors TBA

1-4 pm - author signings at tables in the hall - free entrance for the public

4-5 pm - author readings at the mic

What to do afterward?

5 pm - Dinner on your own - find author friends and plan an outing in downtown Murphys - winetasting and dinner at several wonderful restaurants! Murphys Hotel, Allegorie, Grounds, Bistro, and so many more!

7:30 pm - The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams - showtime at Murphys Creek Theatre around the corner

Come back on Sunday to Calaveras Big Trees State Park for more activities - all free!

Writing Down the Big Trees – Free Event

May 4 – 10 am – 4 pm at Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Poets, writers, journaling fans, and artists gather on Sunday, May 4, at Calaveras Big Trees State Park North Grove to write about and sketch one of the giant Sequoias of their choice for inclusion in an anthology for a Fall 2025 release. The event begins at 10 am in the education room with Jim and Joan Allday, docents and board members, sharing a slide show about some of the more notable trees, along with stories and key information about the grove and its trees. Some of the information is usually reserved for notable people, but the docents will share this with us on May 4. Writers and artists then walk down to the North Grove Trail and select the tree that will become the subject of their writing and/or art. A sharing of writing back in the education room at 3 pm will conclude the day.

Bring your lunch, snacks, water, and materials. Also bring a folding chair or something to sit on. Benches are not placed at every tree. Prepare for any inclement weather. This is a rain-or-shine event.

This is a Free event. There is an entrance fee to the park that is assessed per car, and parking may be limited. The education room will open at 9 am. and there will be hot coffee/tea, rolls, and water available.

Reservation required. Contact Monika Rose, Calaveras County Poet Laureate, at manzanitawp@gmail.com

Tell all your creative friends to join you!


© 2025 Sonora Writers Group