About this Event
Belmont Shore Book Fair 2026
Sunday, October 25 · 11 AM – 4 PM · 5200 E. 2nd Street, Long Beach
Spend a Sunday on 2nd Street with the writers, poets, and storytellers who make Long Beach a reading town. The Belmont Shore Book Fair is free and family-friendly. It’s presented by the Belmont Shore Business Association and sponsored by Melanie Rae Storytelling Café. Browse and buy books from dozens of local authors, meet them at their tables, and catch live readings, conversations, and music all afternoon.
The Main Stage
All day, the main stage features some of the most interesting voices in Long Beach writing:
- Long Beach Youth Poet Ambassadors open the day. Nancy Lynée Woo introduces the city’s young poets, each shares a poem, and then they talk about what poetry gives them.
- Nancy Luong, #1 bestselling author of How We Got Here and We Are All Weirdos, talks about how to tell your own story and invites the audience to try it.
- Katrina Carter-Journet, a physicist, aerospace engineer, and children’s author, talks about writing books that spark curiosity about science.
- Latrice McGlothin and Stan DeWitt are singer/songwriters and authors who share their books and their music.
- The Independent Authors Panel, moderated by Debbie Wastling, features Jamie Sims Coakley, QM Gatlin, and Max Evans. They cover everything from climate fiction to poetry to mystery, and how they publish on their own terms.
- Writing About the Community brings together Harry Saltzgaver (Grunion Gazette) and John Grossi (908 Magazine), moderated by Barbara Kingsley-Wilson, to talk about telling Long Beach’s story.
KLBP Live from the Fair
KLBP, Long Beach’s community public media station, joins the fair with a live Authors’ Interview on the main stage, hosted by members of the KLBP team.
KLBP is also bringing “Your Community Voice: The Listening Project”, a story recording booth open all day at the workshop tables. Stop by anytime to record a memory, a family story, or a moment that matters to you. Your story becomes part of KLBP’s collection of Long Beach voices. Not sure what to say? Story prompts will be on hand to get you started.
For Kids and Families
The activity table runs all day:
- 11:00 – 12:30: Bookmark Making with Julie and Denise. Kids design and take home their own bookmark.
- 1:00 – 2:30: Poetry Zines with poet Heather Peace. Write, fold, and decorate a mini poetry booklet.
Live Music
Singer/songwriter Mooney Starr plays two sets, from 12:30 to 1:00 and from 2:30 to 3:00.
Plan Your Visit
Admission is free, and no ticket is needed to attend. Parking lots are nearby, and 2nd Street’s shops and restaurants are steps away. Bring a tote bag and come hungry for stories.
Full schedule and updates: belmontshore.org/books
Photo from the 2025 Belmont Shore Book Fair by Justin Rudd.
Event venue & nearby stays
Chase Bank Parking Lot, 5200 E. 2nd Street, Long Beach, United States
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