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Writers, storytellers, poets and artists from all over the world are drawn to the Tahoe-Truckee region. It must be something about the sparkling shades of cobalt blues and turquoise and pristine sandy beaches nestled among rocky shorelines juxtaposed with snow-capped mountains and the fresh smell of towering pines.
This region is a vibrant sanctuary for creatives, who come here to be inspired by nature and find connection with themselves and the community. It is also home to a wide variety of best-selling authors and artists.
On October 10 and 11, the Tahoe Literary Festival returns to Tahoe City to bring together writers, readers and literature enthusiasts of all ages for two inspiring days of conversations, author readings, workshops, performances, panels and presentations, an open mic event and community connection.
Photo: Tahoe Literary Festival co-founders Katherine Hill and Priya Hutner promoting the festival on TV.
The event kicks off on Friday, October 10, with free community events, including workshops, author readings and the Community Open Mic event hosted by Scott Green, founder of the Tahoe Poetry Collective. The Open Mic encourages writers of all levels to step up and share their poetry, prose, stories and songs; it’s a great platform to gain confidence and creative inspiration.
With 25 programs, Saturday, October 11, is the main event. This day features workshops, discussions and thought-provoking panels from best-selling authors, publishers, poet laureates, songwriters and creatives from all over the country, including the Tahoe-Truckee region.
Some of the high-profile programs for Saturday include: “The Inspiration of Fiction” with Katy Hays and Jill Shalvis; “The Magic of Memoir: The Courage to Write Fearlessly” with Brooke Warner; “Echoes of the Sierra: A Poet Laureate Conversation,” a Spoken Word Poetry Workshop with Reno Poet Laureate Jesse James Ziegler; a free Songwriters’ Showcase, hosted by Will Richardson of the Tahoe Institute of Natural Science; and more.
Priya Hutner is co-founder and program director of the Tahoe Literary Festival and Truckee Library Crawl. Photo credit: Nicole Dreon
I had the opportunity to interview Priya Hutner, co-founder and program director of the Tahoe Literary Festival and Truckee Library Crawl. Priya is an extraordinary author, storyteller, private chef and dedicated advocate for the literary arts. Her body of work includes a variety of thought-provoking topics including memoir, environmentalism, food and spiritual experiences, and she has been featured in publications including The Tahoe Guide, Muse Magazine and Moonshine Ink.
Her memoir Chasing Nirvana: A Seeker’s Story of Love, Loss, and Liberation, is now available for pre-order. In the book, Priya describes her journey of reclaiming her life through escaping a controlling spiritual community and seeking authenticity and enlightenment on her own terms. Her story is a shining example of the power of the human spirit through conscious self-discovery, resilience, relatability, hope and love.
Alongside other powerful female authors, Priya will also be participating in the “Women, Words, and Wisdom: She Writes the Story Presenters” panel on Saturday.
In my interview with Priya you will learn more about the Tahoe Literary Festival, her mission and what she loves most about being a creative force in the Tahoe-Truckee region.
The Tahoe Literary Festival brings writers, poets and creatives together in Tahoe City. Photo Credit: Tahoe Literary Festival
What is your mission with the Tahoe Literary Festival?
Through this event, we hope to inspire creativity, create strong connections and cultivate a vibrant and inclusive literary community in the region. We want to attract writers, storytellers and creatives of all ages and stages in their journey, from just starting putting their pen to paper to releasing their latest national bestseller.
What are your goals for the event and its overall positive impact on the community?
Ultimately, I want every attendee to come here and be inspired. I want this event to help open doors to possibilities and potential in each writer and creative that comes here.
We see these events as being more than an event; they are destinations for people to open their hearts and expand their minds. They are places to grow and find inspiration. People come to Tahoe to find inspiration, and it is everywhere! The environment itself is just so awe-inspiring, whether you are at the lake or up in the mountains or in the forest. You can find inspiration and connection everywhere.
We want to see the creative arts flourish here and leave a positive impact on the community and everyone who comes to our events. These days, the creative arts aren’t typically put first, especially with youth. We want to change that. It’s so important to get off the screen and write in a journal. This fosters connection.
We want to help foster that connection. Connection to ourselves, each other and the land. And by providing a place for connection, we hope to be a beacon of creativity and hope.
Panels, workshops and presentations help foster community and inspire creativity. Photo courtesy of Priya Hunter for the Tahoe Literary Festival
What are you most excited about regarding this event?
That’s a difficult question because there’s so much to be excited about and so many workshops and panels that I look forward to watching or taking part in.
Ultimately, I am most excited to connect with other talented writers in the community. It’s one thing to create an event, but for me the most rewarding part will be meeting everyone and seeing like-minded creatives who are passionate about the written word come together and create lasting and meaningful connections.
Our team works so hard, and I’m so proud of seeing it all come together in our second annual event.
I want to experience it all, as I love the process of learning and being inspired by other writers, poets and creatives of all genres.
Can you tell me more about your team?
Alongside myself, there is Katherine Hill, artistic director and co-founder of the Tahoe Literary Festival, award-winning writer, and publisher and editor-in-chief at Tahoe Guide. Katherine is responsible for fostering a creative and inclusive space at our festival, and she goes above and beyond to honor diverse perspectives, our community and connections with our fragile environment.
Jeff Brunings, director of development and volunteer coordinator, came on this year in a much bigger role. With over a decade of experience in strategic growth initiatives for companies such as The Tahoe Fund and Make a Wish Foundation, Jeff is a pivotal force in expanding our reach and impact in the community.
Wendy Voorsanger, award-winning author of Prospects of a Woman, is curating the book fair, where you can support the authors by purchasing their books, and connect with them on a deeper level.
And our volunteers! We wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them. They are the heart and soul of the event. They do everything from host, keep the authors on schedule, set up and take down rooms, and more.
How do you fund these events?
This year, we have grants from TOT-TBID Dollars at Work Program (North Tahoe Community Alliance) and the Placer County Arts Council, as well as an incredible lineup of in-kind sponsors including the Tahoe City Downtown Association. Ticket sales and private donations help cover expenses, and we are supported by people who believe in the power of the arts to build strong communities.
Also, we have private funding and fundraisers, where donations come from people who believe in the power of arts and building strong communities.
What makes Tahoe so special, and how is it a source of inspiration for you?
There’s just so much beauty here, everywhere you look.
For me, Tahoe has been a place of solace, stillness and inspiration for my work. Finding the stillness has been a process for me, and learning to quiet the mind and be present has been so important in my practice.
For example, going into the woods and just taking off the headset and listening to the birds and the wind. Taking a deep breath, and finding gratitude for what is around us. Taking that hike, and making it your meditation can be helpful to quiet the mind. There’s a thirst for that silence, although it can make us uncomfortable. We have to ask ourselves: “How can we quiet our mind?”
Learning how to quiet the mind and lean into the silence is where I find a lot of my inspiration.
I hope people can gain love and respect here for nature and themselves, and become a good steward to our fragile environment and community. I hope people come here with a sense of wonder. People, especially those who live in the cities, tend to seek out places like this not just to wander and explore, but to get into the quiet. And I hope that can be a source of inspiration and conservation for years to come.
Elevate your writing skills in workshops with best-selling authors. Photo courtesy of Priya Hunter for the Tahoe Literary Festival
What advice would you give to young aspiring writers?
Be fearless. Don’t be afraid to be honest and speak your truth.
Honesty can be scary, as it can foster rejection. But that’s ok. There are great lessons to learn when you stand up for what you believe in. Always speak with truth and love.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. There are great lessons to be made from making mistakes as well. We all make mistakes; it’s part of the process.
Young writers and creatives are the keepers of the future, the people who will hopefully save the world. If they can foster love through their writing and the arts, they can be fearless and inspire a better world. I believe that.
Spend less time on your devices and connect with yourself and the community.
Live in the moment and be present. Learn the art of conversation.
Be comfortable with who you are and find confidence in your creative endeavors.
How do you personally find inspiration to write and also create community events centered about writing?
I tap into my life experience and find inspiration from other people and their ability to create and share stories.
I have a lot of projects that I want to do, and that comes from inside and just being quiet, whether I’m riding my bike or hiking, I’m always writing in my head. They might not ever make it to a page, but I am always thinking and trying to find inspiration wherever I go.
Sharing my authentic story is sharing the entire process, the journey.
Want to go?
Tahoe Literary Festival
Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11
Tahoe City, CA
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About the Author Kirsten Alexis
Kirsten is an outdoor adventure enthusiast, writer and photographer. You can typically find her hiking, paddleboarding, cross-country skiing and checking out new spots to share in the Tahoe Donner region. She has been lucky to call Tahoe her second home since she was a child and aims to inspire people to experience Tahoe and fall in love with the beauty and adventurous spirit of the region through her blogs and content. 
