We create relevant, thoughtful programming presented at our annual, inclusive weekend literary festival and through year-round events. The Festival features dozens of keynotes, interviews, panels, and performances by hundreds of notable writers across genres and backgrounds, plus a robust, free outdoor fair with hundreds of literary exhibitors and free children’s activities. We prioritize international, diverse, and emerging voices—presenting them alongside high-profile names to amplify their work. Our offerings also include Family Day and Writers’ Day, two cornerstone Festival programs that serve children, families, and aspiring writers of all ages. Year-round, we host community-driven events through our new Affinity Lit Collectives (LGBTQIA+, Mixed Race, and Women Lit) and the Merritt Dialogue Series, a civic conversation series addressing justice and democracy. We also run two free, semester-long creative writing workshops for youth: one for Native youth in partnership with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, and one for Black girls ages 12–18 in collaboration with Cinnamongirl Inc. Both feature paid, BIPOC guest authors as mentors and culminate in published anthologies and youth performances on our Young Readers Stage. All outdoor events and youth workshops are 100% free, and most adult literary events are also free or affordably priced to maximize accessibility.