2026 Writers Festival: a High Tea Experience

Writers Festival: a High Tea Experience

Join us for a fantastic day of words, stories, and imagination at the Writers Festival High Tea! This exciting event will be held at the Cerritos Library on Bloomfield Avenue in Cerritos, CA, USA. Whether you're an aspiring writer or a book lover, this is the perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow wordsmiths, discover new authors, and support a great cause.

This event will include a high tea experience, entertainment, and an engaging author panel! Bel Canto Books will be the book seller available at the event to sell copies of the authors' latest books. Participants will also have an opportunity to get their books signed by the authors.

There will be 6 authors speaking about their writing and inspiration. Please see below for a list of the authors who will be in attendance:

Nikki Erlick - Nikki Erlick is the New York Times-bestselling author of The Measure and The Poppy Fields. Her debut novel, The Measure, was a “Read with Jenna” Book Club Pick on The TODAY Show and a Barnes & Noble Discover Pick. The Measure has been translated into 24 languages worldwide. Her second novel, The Poppy Fields, was an instant USA Today bestseller, a Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist, an Apple Audiobook “Must-Listen,” and a national LibraryReads selection. Nikki previously worked as a travel writer and ghostwriter, after graduating Harvard University summa cum laude and earning her master’s degree from Columbia University.

Soo Jin Lee & Linda Yoon - Soo Jin Lee, a licensed therapist, executive director of Yellow Chair Collective, and co-founder of Entwine Community, has made a profound impact in mental health advocacy, shaped by her own experiences as an Asian immigrant. Her work focuses on culturally responsive mental health care, addressing the unique challenges faced by immigrant and Asian American communities. She co-authored the influential book Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity, which explores identity and healing through a culturally informed lens. Recognized by NPR, PBS, CBS, and CUNY, Soo Jin is dedicated to fostering community support and advancing culturally sensitive mental health services.

Linda Yoon is the founder of Yellow Chair Collective and co-founder of Entwine Community, organizations dedicated to addressing mental health education and service gaps in services for BIPOC communities, with a special focus on Asian Americans. She is recognized as a co-author of the book "Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity," which delves deeply into themes of Asian American identity and resilience, alongside the racial, cultural, and intergenerational dynamics present within Asian American communities. Linda's work has been recognized and featured in media outlets including NPR, PBS, CBS, LA Times, and Buzzfeed. With a heartfelt commitment to well-being and community empowerment, Linda drives changes through mental health programs and advocacy initiatives.

Joss Richard - Joss Richard (she/her) is an International Bestselling romance author and an editorial & social director who’s worked at companies such as Hello Sunshine and Reese’s Book Club, The Walt Disney Company, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Netflix, and Paramount. She’s also the creator and host of Three’s Company, Too: A Rewatch Podcast and has been formally recognized with a Daytime Emmy Award. Born in Toronto, Ontario, to Filipino immigrant parents, Richard currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California.

Nayantara Roy - Nayantara Roy is the author of THE MAGNIFICENT RUINS which was a New York Times Editor’s Choice novel of 2024, an LA Times Editor’s Pick, a Washington Post Best Book, a People Magazine Best Book, an Apple best debut, and a Hachette book club pick amongst others. The book is currently being adapted for television by Universal Television. Her second novel, SISTERS OF THE HALVED HEART is forthcoming from Little Brown on June 2, 2026. In 2018, Roy won the Rick De Marines award for her short story 8C. Her plays have been performed internationally, in the UK and India. By day, she is the Senior Vice President of Television at Sandbox Entertainment where she acquires and develops original scripted series. Her television career has included overseeing shows such as Normal People, Nine Perfect Strangers, Mary and George, The Hunting Wives and Outlander among others. Originally from India, she lives in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.

Zahida Sherman - Zahida is a proud Seattle native who made her way to Glendale by way of everywhere. Her published writing has centered on themes of culture, belonging, and wellness for Bustle, Healthline, and Well + Good, among others. Her first poetry publication was in the Jewel City Review in 2025 and she leads a creative writing group for emerging writers at Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena.

Guests can register on this eventbrite page or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 3876 Cerritos, CA 90703. Please write your name, telephone number, and e-mail address on the check you are mailing.