I just wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation, on behalf of the students (Galante Scholars — Jenetta Grace and Gavin Wessman) and myself, for the great privilege and pleasure of attending the 2018 Rancho Mirage Writer’s Festival. It definitely remains a highlight of the year and in the lives of all of us.

We immensely enjoyed all of the sessions and felt privileged to be in the company of so many well-known and respected writers as well as the intelligent exchange of ideas and debate as they discussed their work(s). It is, indeed, incredible to consider our time there (esp. meeting writers like Bret Stephens, Karl Rove, Greg Iles, and John Meacham).

We all remain honored and indebted with gratitude for the invitation to attend the Festival and wanted to be sure to convey our appreciation for the privilege of attending. You might consider us all ambassadors of the RMWF for the words of praise and glowing descriptives used in relaying our experience(s) at this year’s event.

So interesting that when you see “snippets” or “teasers” of different conversations you really have no idea where the panels/speakers are going in these clips. Such as: I had no idea Karl Rove had a sense of humor and has a mind like a steel trap; Amie Parnes was so down to earth about her book “Shattered” about Hillary Clinton and knowledgeable about so much else; and Dave Barry was himself — and had people in the palm of his hand as they laughed every minute he was on stage. All of this is due to our esteemed and brilliant leader Jamie Kabler, who chooses the topics and authors. Thank you again, Jamie. Cannot wait to watch the what I missed!

How can I thank you for my wonderful three days at Rancho Mirage and the best book festival I’ve ever attended? It should be called “The Festival of Books and Ideas.”

For me, it was a succession of happy surprises into the minds and contemporary opinions of a variety of authors, a number of whom I knew personally and a number now I want to know. Laughter via Dave Barry and Sally Bedell Smith complemented serious history and politics. Scott Berg, Karl Rove, Bret Stephens, Scott Turow, Jon Meacham, Viet Thanh Ngyuyen and Dr. Khoi Le—and Geoff Cowan and Susan Eisenhower as facilitators—were special. Breakfast with Alexandra Fuller and Danzy Senna, dinner with Ric Patterson and Linda Fairstein ditto, complimented your delightful social gatherings.

We thank you for creating and implementing this marvelous Writers Festival. It is a treasure to the community and a personal treasure to Bob and me.

In four years, about 12 days on stage, the festival has emerged a major player among the American book festivals. All the work of one man, whose curiosity, enthusiasm and unrelenting insistence upon quality have defined the conference. And the whole town of Rancho Mirage stands with him in the effort. Bravo, Jamie Kabler!

Congrats and kudos to you for a wonderful Writer’s Festival event! I arrived really early as I was fearful of not being able to park. Who knew that the most efficient valet would be laid on? Coffee and croissants too! And really helpful guides to direct you stationed at every corner and post. One of the best organized events I have ever attended in the Valley!

At the end of the 2016 Festival, I had mentioned to Aaron Espinosa, Dave Bryant and Jamie that it had been one of the most engaging events I had ever attended and prompted me to convince my husband to become angel donors for 2017. One of my favorite quotes at that time was “I live my life in expanding circles; therefore my journey never ends.” Until attending the 2016 Festival, I had begun to feel like my circles were shrinking, not expanding; so the experience was life-changing for me.

I am still in awe over what I was able to attend at your writers festival and now you are offering what I was unable to attend as well, since I could only be at one place at a time. What a dividend, and ever so many thanks. Thanks for enriching my desert life!

Congrats on all the well deserved kudos and great press articles about your brilliant Writers Festival. It was beyond all expectations; so beautifully organized, well thought out, well produced, running the gamut from comedy to Putin’s seminar. Just absolutely incredible. What a gift you have given to the desert on this one. You should glow with pride.

I cannot describe what this weekend has meant to me. The erudition and intellectual wildfire I experienced has my synapses running amok. Thank you for creating one of the peak experiences of my life; in other words, I loved every minute of the Rancho Mirage Writers’ Festival of 2016.