Founder of the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival
Jamie Kabler loves reading.
He loves it so much that nine years ago he decided to create a festival to gather some of the finest writers of our time to talk about everything from politics, history, humor and health to genre and literary fiction. “I would describe it as Coachella for the brain,” says Kabler, who founded the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival in 2014. “We’re bringing people in who are contributing to the intellectual vitality of our time.
So for readers, the Festival is all about expanding your consciousness and experiences. We’re having conversations about the future of medicine, the environment, law and order and what we can learn from animals. It is truly amazing.” This year’s festival will gather more than 85 writers and speakers and more than 1500 readers to the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory from February 1st to the 3rd.
Five Things
After munching on a breakfast spread and networking with others, attendees start each morning with words from an inspirational historian. The message is centered around uniting Americans and sharing common values. From there, every hour over the next three days has four different sessions for readers to choose from.
Although tickets for this year’s festival are sold out, access remains important to Kabler, Every single session is filmed and uploaded to the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival YouTube channel so they can be watched by people all over the world. “Next year will be our 10th anniversary, and in a short time.
we have become recognized by many as America’s best Writers Festival,” says Kabler. “I think that’S because we really work to make this festival the best it can be. We want everyone to take memories. I want them to leave the festival every day and have five stories or five things they learned that day. It is all about continual learning.”
THE FUTURE IS NOW
Kabler is most excited for this year’s theme: Brave New World — The Future is Now. With the likes of Bridgerton author Julia Quinn, presidential historian Jon Meacham and social commentator Franz Leboitz, Kabler is hoping that attendees feel inspired.
“We’re having conversations about the future of medcine, the environment, law and order and what we can learn from animals. It is truly amazing.”
“It’s in the library for a reason,” says Kabler. “We could have this festival in a hotel or conference center which might have been easier, but the library is the only place where the written word is treated with respect. You are stepping into a place that is built specifically for people to grow and learn and expand.
It’s immersive in the best way.” Over the next few years Kabler hopes to continue expanding the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival alongside the hardworking Executive Team, including Aaron Espinosa, Executive Director, Debbie Miller, Executive Producer and Deborah Dejah, Director Of Programming. That includes inviting more youth to the event, and encouraging more people to take up reading.
“l give my own money and my own time to the festival,” Kabler says, “At this point in my life, a lot of people I know play golf and cards and enjoy their lunches. I enjoy a good sandwich, but this festival is going to be my legacy. So if I can inspire one person to start reading then all of this is worth it to me.”
To access this year’s festival online platform, get involved and/or become a donor by visiting www.rmwritersfest.org
