Palm Springs LGBTQ+ book festival announces full lineup, adds Ty Herndon as headliner

The Palm Springs Public Library Foundation has finalized the lineup for the fifth annual Pride on the Page Book Festival, set for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Registration is required and now open for both the daytime and evening programs, each requiring a separate sign-up, and for the first time both are free.

Grammy-nominated country music artist Ty Herndon will serve as the special evening guest, discussing his memoir “What Mattered Most” in conversation with Corey Roskin, co-creator and author coordinator for Pride on the Page and a foundation board member.

The book chronicles Herndon’s rise to country stardom, his struggles with addiction and mental health, and the years he spent hiding his sexuality. In 2014, Herndon became the first major male country artist to publicly come out as gay.

“Ty’s story embodies what Pride on the Page is about — the power of telling our stories openly and authentically, particularly this year as we focus on memoirs and personal storytelling,” Roskin said.

The daytime program will close with comedian and actor Murray Hill discussing his book “Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man” in conversation with actor and comedian Tim Bagley, a session added to the previously announced lineup.

Other daytime conversations include Erika Simpson on mother-daughter memoirs with Danielle Myers-Porter of Get Lit Books and Things; Daniel M. Jaffe and publisher Ian Henzel discussing their author-editor partnership; Rasheed Newson and book critic Meredith Maran on the line between fact and fiction; Phill Branch and Geoffrey Newman on Black queer identity; and Lisa M. Stulberg with writer and activist Jen Richards on LGBTQ+ social change through pop culture.

Created in 2022, the festival has featured more than 150 LGBTQ+ and affirming authors and moderators. This year’s theme, “Five Years of Pride on the Page: Our Lives, Our Words, Our Stories,” centers on memoirs and personal narratives.

Outside Theatre One, attendees can explore a free festival tent with local LGBTQ+ authors, independent publishers and community organizations, along with book signings. In honor of the anniversary, a free copy of each featured author’s book will be available — 30 copies per author for the daytime program and 50 for the evening event — to registered attendees with wristbands who line up outside the theater 15 minutes before a session, on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

The festival will close with a 5th anniversary celebration featuring music from Leanna & Miguel under the event tent.

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Details: Registration is available at this website, with additional festival details here.

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