I would like to thank you for the sponsorship to experience the amazing opportunity that the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival is. Not many students have the chance to learn from such a valuable event, and being able to interact and listen to writers and other attendees was fantastic.

The Writers Festival was full of so many fascinating stories and information that I would have a hard time choosing one single thing that I enjoyed learning the most. What I’ve already used in my life the most, though, would be the different ideas on the writing process in full, which I’ve already used in both school and my own personal projects. Even though some of the information was simply about the content of the books, I found that area of discussion fascinating as well. Hearing stories and experiences that inspired authors to write in the first place was one of the things that really stuck with me afterwards.

While the facts I learned having to do with writing and topics will stay with and help me far into the future, just being able to attend the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival will definitely have an impact on my future. All the interactions with readers and writers, choosing to listen to a topic that seemed uninteresting but in reality was fascinating, and the little things that stuck out in each presentation all made an impact on my thinking. I still find my thoughts wandering quite often to something I learned about there. I am deeply grateful for the amazing opportunity that I was able to be a part of.

I write this letter to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support in providing me with the opportunity to attend the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival. It was an incredible experience that I will cherish for years to come.

The festival was truly enlightening and inspiring. I had the chance to be in the presence of some incredible authors, hear them speak about their craft, and even ask them questions. It was so motivating to see how passionate they are about writing and storytelling. I learned invaluable lessons about creativity, perseverance, and the power of words.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and generosity. Your support has made a meaningful difference in my life, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity you have given me.

I would like to extend my appreciation for allowing me to experience such an amazing opportunity and having such a wonderful day. I am extremely thankful for being given this opportunity to attend the Writers Festival. Witnessing Matt Gutman, whom I’ve only seen on TV, was a highlight, as he spoke on slavery and constitutional matters. This helped me strengthen my apprehension in similar topics which I am currently studying in humanities. While I was being attentive to Matt Gutman, I was able to gain some knowledge on panic attacks and I was able to hear about the kids who were stuck in a cave and professional scuba divers along with the only scuba diver anesthesiologist in the world had to come in and went to extreme measures to save the kids. I learned how perseverance is key in all that you do.

I was able to join a session where two men spoke on politics. I listened to different perspectives from the Democratic and the Republican party, as I was taking in information from both sides I found myself becoming more aware of what is going on in the world. I was taking into account both of their opinions and it made me think about who is right and wrong in certain circumstances, like when creating or enforcing laws that impact a large number of people. I became more curious on what makes either party think they are the ones who are right. I enjoyed their friendly banter that they had going and now I have a better understanding of both parties based on biased responses. The entire experience changed me and I am forever grateful. Thank you!

Thank you so much for sponsoring me to attend the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival. I had a great time there and it was a memorable experience. I really enjoyed going to all of the talks given by the writers there. They were on a wide range of topics that included journalism, climate change, and the archives of books in Congress. My personal favorite was the poetry session with Billy Collins. Hearing his poems made me much more interested in poetry. Some other programs I really liked were the ones about Banned Books, AI/ChatGPT, and Walking with Sam.

The Writers Festival was also very educational. I learned about what journalism was like back in the day and how climate change is affecting us. I also learned about how AI is changing our lives and the future of writing. Something that especially stood out to me was how books are being banned across the country, and how people are working to eliminate certain types of books from libraries. I was surprised to know that librarians and other library staff are being attacked for the work they do, just because of certain books on the shelves. I understand now how important it is to have book collections online where a bigger variety of books are available. I will definitely check out this collection and recommend it to others.

Last year, I wrote to tell you how wonderful the outdoor experience was and again, this year it proved to be as positive, especially with the addition of the overhead sun cover. What made this year different was the weather. Thursday’s rain proved to be a challenge, and what we experienced was your remarkable pivot and adjustment to adapt to the weather. The planning and execution of adapting to the changed conditions was seamless! We had lunch indoors, made new friends with those sitting around us and experienced a staff that could not have been more upbeat and helpful. The RMWF has always had remarkable staffing. But this year was special. As I may have mentioned last year, my wife has Multiple Sclerosis and is wheelchair bound. The RMWF is a bright light in her life. Because we spent more time indoors this year, we had more direct interaction with staff. They went out of their way to make her experience the best possible. By Thursday, staff recognized her and would greet her as a friend. The impact of this small touch is priceless and reflects an attitude that comes from the highest levels of leadership—you, your executive team and the well-trained staff. The RMWF accommodation of those with disabilities is the best she had experienced compared to other venues! Thank you and your executive staff and all of those who make RMWF the best.

I want to thank you and your team for all the hard work putting on the best Writers Festival of all. Leslie and I have truly enjoyed every one of your festivals but found this current one most informative and entertaining of all. I especially liked the “new blood” in the panels and their presentations. Specifically, the “Young Turks on Politics Today.” Kurt Bardella was excellent. What a treat to have William McRaven and David Petraeus on the same stage. Especially being moderated by Bret Stephens. At the risk of being prejudiced, all three of Bob Shrum’s panels were excellently moderated by him. As always Donna Brazile was interesting and very entertaining. Jon Meacham, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Douglas Brinkley, and Bret Stephens would be sorely missed if not there. We both found Richard Haass’ two programs were the most informative and special.

Coming to this festival has opened my eyes to career possibilities that I have always never really considered. Up until this festival, I knew that I wanted to be a journalist, I just didn’t know that I wanted to become a journalist outside of Alaska. This conference has allowed me to realize that pursuing an internship in Washington is actually something that would suit me fairly well. Not only has this festival showed me how to be a better future journalist, but it has also shown me that our unique Alaskan perspective is needed to be seen and heard in the Lower 48s. It was such an honor to be able to speak with my heroes Cassidy Hutchinson, Bret Stephens, Anne Applebaum as well as watch my journalistic idols Ari Melber and Ezra Klein speak. It was so wonderful to be able to hear such distinguished people have conversations so pressing to our current times. As a young woman and young journalist, I believe this has truly shaped the way I will live my career out and even think about my daily life. Thank you to all who made this lovely event happen, as well as helped us during our stay there, including Debbie Green Miller and Aaron Espinosa as well as all the other staff.

Now that I’m back in cold Anchorage, I just wanted to thank you again for providing us with this great opportunity to get some much-needed warmth and to hear from some incredible minds. I got to see several of my influences, like John Waters, Michael Schur, and Ezra Klein. And I was introduced to many new favorites that I’ll definitely be following up on, like Doris Kearns Goodwin, Billy Collins, and Anand Giridharadas. Also, everyone was incredibly hospitable and gracious with their time, from Debbie Green Miller and Aaron Espinosa, to everyone on the event and resort staff. The entire experience was invigorating and reaffirmed my graduate work.

Thank you for creating, coordinating, and executing such a remarkable event. The RMWF is by far my most favorite event of the year. That you bring the experience of an expanded world view to our community is truly a gift. (I’m still floating!)

Thank you so much for hosting such an informative event and allowing the students of Palm Desert High School to attend! I was able to learn about so many interesting topics and expand my knowledge. I plan on coming back next year to see what other topics and speeches will be. I had a lot of fun attending!

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

I am currently a junior at Palm Desert High School, and I would love to thank you for the amazing experience I had attending your festival. I also got to attend back when I was in 8th grade (2020), and both have taught me so much. I’ve been able to deepen my understanding of the writing world, a major task for an aspiring author. I’ve also been able to learn more about some other fascinations of mine, such as environmentalism, education, the food industry, and politics.

Thank you so much for the amazing opportunity.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

Thank you so much for introducing my classmates and I to the Writers Festival. I found it to be a completely rewarding and transformative experience, as I connected with passionate, intelligent people locally and globally, learned more about the world and its role in writing, and immersed myself in the subjects I love most in an interdisciplinary matter: Environmental Science and Writing.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

Hello, my name is Ivana. I’m one of the lucky students from Palm Desert High who was able to attend a day of the Writers Festival due to your generous invitations. I’d like to thank you for the opportunity for such a surreal experience. Although I was intimidated at first by all the great minds in one place and worried I wouldn’t be able to fully grasp the concepts of the lectures, the festival turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve had. The tag line “Coachella for the mind” definitely does justice to the festival. In fact I’ve been to Coachella, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I enjoyed the Writers Festival even more.

It’s hard to choose which of the lectures I enjoyed most. I began the day with Greg Boyle’s lecture, and enjoyed his words on kindness and how there are truly no bad people in the world, only bad circumstances. I went on to also watch the foreign affairs panel (the visors for those sitting outside was an incredibly great touch), Junot Díaz, Dr. Azra Raza, and I even got the incredible chance to not only meet Julia Quinn but to also ask her for writing advice, as I myself am an aspiring author.

Out of all of the lectures and remarkable people I met, Dr. Raza’s lecture on both the past and future of cancer medicine stuck with me the most. In 2022 my mom was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and she’s been battling it for the past year. To hear Dr. Raza speak with such confidence about the future of cancer treatment, along with the current state of it, I was able to gain a better understanding of what my mom has been going through and also give me hope for the future. For the first time I was spoken to about the illness that has caused so much turmoil in my family as if I were an adult, giving me an entirely new understanding and perspective that I am incredibly grateful for.

At the festival I found myself not only intently listening, but also having fun with my peers as we discussed the lectures and our interpretations of them. Thank you for the amazing experience, I will never forget it. I left feeling educated, excited for the future, and hopeful.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

Thank you so much for sponsoring this years Rancho Mirage Writers Festival. It was an amazing experience that wouldn’t be possible without you. I am so grateful I was able to attend and meet all kinds of amazing authors. It was a super fun day!

I got to listen to some amazing people and learn so much from them. It’s amazing how many different subjects to write about. I loved everything in the festival, from the author signing and bookstore, to the candy bar and short story dispenser!

My favorite authors I met were Diana Gabaldon and Julia Quinn. I find it inspiring to hear about their different writing styles and methods. It is also very cool that they got to turn their novels into TV shows. I hope to do something amazing like that someday!

This was an amazing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. That you so much for everything.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

I would like to express my thanks to your generosity. Thank you for making me be able to experience such an incredible event. Thanks to you, I was able to make memories that I’ll never forget and that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

In this fantastic event, I was able to meet and have a brief conversation with some very interesting authors. I learned that everyone is able to write a good story, and that by listening, we can learn a lot. I was introduced to different topics that I had never known about before. Like, how it’s like to be a conductor of an orchestra, or even how as millennials, have the future of the world in our hands.

Finally, something that will stay with me is how important it is to know about different backgrounds and perspectives. And especially, appreciating the opportunities we are given in life.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

I honestly appreciate that you were generous by giving us this excellent gift. I can say that I pretty much do not have a lot of words to describe and express my gratitude towards you guys sponsoring us! Although, what I can say is that it was definitely a very awesome and intellectual experience. I had a bunch of fun and I think it was a great attribute to my education as well. Not only was I able to have fun, but I was able to get books signed right in front of me for the first time in my life by the authors of them!

The whole experience was most definitely worth it and was such a memorable experience. I knew it was going to be such a great experience as soon as I saw the doors open! I was able to learn more about how authors think. I was also able to learn more about their books. I believe that this event has shaped my future into being an excellent writer and maybe publishing a few books in the future! In conclusion, thank you for such an honorable and memorable experience, and for giving me more materials on writing better!

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

Thank you so much for the sponsorship, I really appreciate it so much. I was so glad I was able to go and I’m so lucky to even have the privilege of being able to experience this awesome festival.

I learned so much during the writers festival. I learned how much people just do what feels right for them and that’s it, they made it to the very stage they stand on. On the other hand, the political decisions were also a treat. I wanted to become a political leader when I was younger and those decisions brought out the young nerd in me.

I definitely learned a lot from this experience that I know will help shape my future. I know I can find my group and I don’t really need to fit into one category. I also learned how much people don’t know why did certain things, they just go with their gut and take opportunities when they pop up. I now know for sure I want to become a college professor, to teach and talk and experience. I want to tell my story and have made a name for myself so maybe one day I could become a speaker too.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

Thank you so much for the sponsorship, Your kindness was greatly appreciated by me and my fellow students. I really experienced a sense of peace and true love of books and all kinds of literature by the people around me. This was shown when someone offered us money to buy books because they believed that it was important for us to be provided with the proper resources to learn and grow.

Everyone expressed kindness to us and seemed truly glad to have the future generation getting involved in the community of writing and books. I took away that when you are writing, ideas are better when they come naturally versus thinking hard to come up with a book because these ideas were formed from experiences and things that you know of on a deeper level compared to what you think might be an interesting book.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

I deeply appreciate all the donors that sponsored me to attend this fun and joyous event. I experienced something that was noteworthy and momentous and I thank you for this opportunity. My family is very grateful for your generosity and hospitality of giving back to the community. Appreciation and consideration are moral values my mom has taught me to respect deeply.

The experience of hearing these speakers discuss with such meaning and confidence in their art exhibits these formed ideals expanded to the perspective of our vision. I thank you sincerely again for introducing new ideas linked to my own future. My favorite part was getting the chance to meet my authors such as Junot Díaz expressing his own experience with his ethnicity of being a Dominican-American man. Also I am very appreciative for the opportunity to meet the great Fran Lebowitz while waiting for her to sign my book.

I gained so much from my day at the festival. Hearing first hand experiences of topics that regularly are swept under the rug in society was powerful. I am forever changed because of this experience. These authors and commentators were once confused in their future yet they found their way to success through their own experience. I am psychically and mentally in your debt for letting me experience this event; gaining wisdom for my future.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend this amazing festival. You have given me a chance of a lifetime. I will cherish the memories I have made during this wonderful experience for years to come. I have learned so much from this festival and I will use this knowledge to help further create a better future.

An experience that was truly memorable was meeting the author, Anthony Doerr and getting him to sign his book. During our interaction he was nothing but kind. He ended up signing all of my group members’ books including myself. He also walked us to the bookstore and we had a lovely conversation. I have started his novel and I am enjoying it so far. I can not wait to watch the movie when it comes out.

Another memorable experience was getting to hear congressman Joseph Kennedy speak about Ted Kennedy. I am very fascinated by the people of the past and the way that they lived their lives. Listening to Mr. Kennedy speak gave me more insight into who Ted Kennedy was as a person and the way that he governed. His past changed the way that I think about the future; more specifically the way it should be led.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to go to the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival. I had an amazing time and learned so much about writing, people and a whole lot more! Some of the things I learned I didn’t even know I wanted to learn! Some things seemed slightly interesting but turned out to be fascinating! All of my friends who attended feel exactly the same!

I learned that not all writing is planned and that sometimes you can start with the ending and work your way back, which I never knew. I thought you had to start from the top and work your way down. Imagine the possibilities for stories if you use this method. This inspires me to give writing a try.

One thing I took away was that sometimes thoughts just pop in your head and those could be the best stories ever. I plan to start keeping a journal with me so I can record my great ideas. I also took away an amazing day and that people don’t always have it together in fact, they could be going through the worst time while writing the best story of their lives!

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

I would like to genuinely thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend the 2023 Rancho Mirage Writers Festival. I can’t express how grateful I feel that this city has people like you. And I hope you know how many kids will be impacted because of your generous donations. Thanks to you, I have seen a different side of journalism, which is now an area that I am thinking of pursuing. Thank you so much.

From the minute I stepped into the first session, I was hooked. I listened as the author talked about talking to Nancy Reagan, Nancy Reagan, like it was no big deal. When I think about what I want to do with my life, I always say to people, “I want a job where I can talk to people.” And if anyone ever mentioned writing a biography, or being a journalist, I am ashamed to say that I completely shut that idea down. This was mainly because I was convinced that all that biographers did was sit in a room researching people through other books or articles, then write that information down in their own book. I was proved very wrong after that first session, and continued to be proved wrong as the day progressed. I am now very interested in this field, because this event opened my eyes to a different side of it.

The most impactful part of the entire day came at the very end. It was called “Black and Blue,” and one of the speakers was Donna Brazile. She is an author and political strategist who was a very enjoyable person to listen to. I learned that it’s possible for women to succeed in journalism, and that the more of us there are in the field, the more we’ll keep advancing. But at this last session, it was almost the end of the day. She was taking questions, and I asked her, “When did you know that you wanted to do this with your life?” And she said that ever since she was a kid, all she wanted to do was continue people’s stories. Then she looked right at me and said, “ .. and I need you to help me continue to do that.” It was a moment I’ll remember forever. It could be the moment when I decided to pursue journalism as well. Nevertheless, it’s all thanks to you and all the kind people who are helping me, and all the other kids.,find options for their future.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

I would like to thank you and the other executives of Rancho Mirage Writers Festival for the opportunity I was given to attend. I wholeheartedly enjoyed the event and the activities within. The topics discussed at the numerous presentations were beyond amazing and I am extremely glad I was able to attend.

A panel I particularly enjoyed was “The World Today” with Susan Glasser, Peter Baker, Joseph Kennedy III, Eddie Glaude, and Mike Murphy. The commentary on the contemporary world was amazing and provided an immense amount of insight into ongoing problems. Additionally, Mike Murphy served as an excellent moderator with just as excellent comedic skills, I’d love to see him on stage again!

The panel “On Never Going Up” with Bernardine Evaristo and Elizabeth Sorensen was also very inspirational. Being in the same room as the first black woman to win a Booker Prize sparked great hope in me, both for myself and the world. Her views on feminism and race also spoke to me greatly. Again, thank you so much for the opportunity you have given me and other students at Palm Desert High. Words can not express how grateful and delighted both the students and the teachers were.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

I am most grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival. It was an illuminating experience to see and hear so many influential writers from various genres and backgrounds. As someone who is looking to expand their mindset in terms of writing and literature, I had lots of fun. I listened to several different panels, from how to beat cancer to cultural hardships in America and foreign affairs. I have to say, my favorite author from the festival was Junot Díaz. I found his talk to be more conversational, and a calming balance between the adversity of being an immigrant and the valuable life lessons that can be learned and used to grow as a person. Overall, I was able to take away so many lasting thoughts and impressions from this festival.

Students were able to attend the 2023 Festival thanks to support from our Student Scholar Sponsors: Jeannette and Raymond Galante, Bryn and Richard DeBeikes, and Gwen Ramras.

I have so many thoughts about the festival as do all of us. It could not have been any more organized, warm, stimulating—truly spectacular! I know you do not prompt the authors and guests, who are unified in the importance of the festival in their lives and the big picture in the US. It is an extraordinary accomplishment which can be shared with anyone who has wifi. I have friends in so many places who take advantage of the ability to see it.

The friendliness of the volunteers and the staff is embracing. It feels like a family event with everyone excited and primed to love the days. I think, too, that all of us there were library people from the day our parents took us to one and here we are back in the library.

Bill and I attended the discussion with Joshua Cohen, Junot Díaz (long-time revered author for me), and Tommy Little moderated by Dr. Le. Two Pulitzer Prize winners and Tommy Little discussing reading books and what they take away. If you have not heard this session, you will like it. It speaks to the core of psychology, process vs content. I have shared their message with my book clubs and anyone who will listen, who reads.

I just can’t tell you how much Barry and I loved the Writers Festival…..Best EVER!! You absolutely outdid yourself. The assortment of authors and broad range of topics was incredible. The venue was perfect and we appreciated every single detail of the event….. Candy in the entry, monogrammed hand towels, breakfast pastries, coffee bar, lunches and even incredibly comfortable seats! We are so grateful, as always, that you included us in this one-of-a-kind event. Thanks for your expertise in putting on such an inspiring festival and your generosity in sharing it with the rest of us!!

we are six-time attendees of the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival and agree with you that it is the finest in the country. You mention every year that you have improved the RMWF from year to year but this year was special for a number of reasons. As always, the selection of writers was extraordinary. But one change you made was particularly meaningful for us. My wife, JoAnn is disabled and wheelchair bound. The addition of the outdoor pavilion was brilliant. Not only did it alleviate some of the issues about access to the “featured” lectures, it provided an easy and thoughtful way for her to have stress free access to the programs. The accommodations were comfortable and the video presentation (including the sound and screen resolution) of the lectures was the best we have ever experienced. We did attend some lectures in other rooms, and the staff was terrific in assisting her.

I wanted to reach out to you personally to thank you for another spectacular three days of intellectual stimulation and challenge with a level of presenters unrivaled by any other festival or conference anywhere. And to add to the three solid days of exceptional level of engagement, the festival itself was impeccably organized and run. It is your energy and your genius that pulls together the presenters who each and together make the Festival so remarkable. But in addition, I believe at the end of the day it is also your attention to all the minute details that produces a festival so well-attended that runs perfectly on time and has each attendee feel well-cared for. Your bringing together so many people and moving them about all day long in such a smooth and seemingly effortless way is a marvel. We are so very grateful to you and to your staff. It is clear that you have many well trained staff members who are eager to produce the most organized Festival anywhere and one where everyone feels welcomed and cared for. A rare, rare treat.

I hope that you are still basking in the glow of the amazing Writer’s Festival. It is such a high moment each year in so many ways and is still often referred to in conversations. One of the things that I love most is attending sessions with topics I know very little about. This year, I LOVED Wade Davis and thought that his presentation was spellbinding and eye-opening, also very touching and emotional. Doris Kearns Goodwin is the appetizer, main course and dessert all wrapped up into one. I could listen to her brilliant insights for days.

[On hearing loop program] It was if we were in a very quiet room with the author face to face within two feet of him or her. Truly a blessing for those of us who are hindered by hearing loss. Thank you so much for providing this wonderful technology. We had a great week. Looking forward to next year.

[On hearing loop program] The TCoil hearing system you had installed in the library made a world of difference in my ability to understand all the speakers. It was so difficult without the system that I stopped going. This year I was blown away by the quality of the sound. I didn’t miss a word. Thanks so much for having the foresight to install a system that helps the hearing impaired. Looking forward to next year.

We certainly hope the RMWF will be held in 2021. So many interesting people and so little time to hear what they have to say. It’s our favorite brain food of the year!

It was fabulous and the best 3 days of our year. I know you hear how much you are appreciated. Savor it because it is true. This is a very special chance for we who are in the room, where it happens. There were panels and individuals who are at the top of the ladder with clarity and depth of understanding plus so bright. I listened to Doris Kearns Goodwin with joy and such appreciation of being in her presence. She deserved a McArthur award if there was such an award that could fit her work. I even looked up if she had won a Pulitzer and she has. Hooray that her talent is awarded. There is so much dimension to the writers festival. I don’t want to make this a long note. I am on a list of hundreds who feel this way.

Richard and I loved loved loved this year’s writers festival which we have attended since the very beginning. Each year it gets better and better organized!! Great job Jamie. […] The people you bring in are amazing—interesting as well as informative and entertaining!

Millions of libraries, millions more books. How wonderful. I dare say any of those libraries are as fine as Rancho Mirage, and as devoted to a great program of books, authors, panels, dinners and lunches! How hard you all work, and that labor is much appreciated. We loved every moment, as well done.

The last, by Kirk Douglas’ grandson with you interviewing touched me deeply. I headed Amnesty USA’s anti-death penalty for a decade past and visited maximum security prisons south and west often, despairing. I was sorry to learn of Kirk’s death, but the age gave me hope for another dozen annual visits with you.

Though we have been spending winters in the desert for 15 years, 2019 was our first Writers Festival. We are signed up for 2020 and plan on attending every year. Not a single session that either of us attended was disappointing. Not only were the authors/speakers great but the event was very well organized. We are avid readers and the 2020 roster is full of familiar (and some new) authors. We can only imagine the amount of work that you and colleagues devote to the Festival. Thank you very much for all you do.

I had never been to a Literary Festival before so I had no idea what to expect from it… For me the really interesting moments were the discussions and seminars with the reporters like Bret Stephens and Anne Applebaum and the amazing Garry Kasparov, all of who spoke clearly, well and vibrantly about their subjects.