Welcome to our annual author event where you’ll find a book for everyone!
Go on a treasure hunt and raid the dragon’s lair!
Our first 75 guests who solved the riddle got a free book!
Was Saturday, June 3rd, 2023
California Center for the Arts, Escondido (Directions/Map/Free Parking)
Art & Education Studios
340 N. Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025
🐲 10 a.m. to 4 p.m 🐲
Author Readings and Spotlight Interviews all Day Long!
11am: T. Jefferson Parker, San Diego Thrillers
1:15pm: Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, Paranormal Romance
2:20pm: Matt Coyle, San Diego Thrillers
No tickets necessary! FREE fun for the whole family!
(Take a look at last year’s fun!)
Books set your imagination on 🔥


Once Upon a Book Fair…
…encourages literacy
…showcases multiple genres, something for everyone
…inspires youth
…shines a spotlight on local writers
…provides a rare meet and greet with published authors
…draws people together and celebrates diversity
…acclaims Escondido as a significant Center for the Arts
…validates San Diego’s public library programs
…creates a unique cultural community event
…supports small business
…has education, inspiration, imagination in one fabulous place!
Missed it? Discover all of our books and shop now!
- Adeyemo, Lola M, Immigration/Human Resources
- Adauto, Robert, Steampunk Mystery
- Andreas, Marie, Fantasy
- Andrews, Nicolette, Fantasy Romance
- Balgley, Kathleen A, Memoir
- Berneger, Marcia, Fiction for Ages 2-6
- Billions, Marisa, Contemporary Fiction, LGBTQ
- Black, Karen, Historical Romance, Thriller, Mystery
- Book Happy Life, Bookish Gifts & Decor
- Brisson, Helle, Children’s Picture Books
- Burbank, Shelley, Mystery
- Casper, Mike, Historical Fiction
- Coles, Krystina, Young Adult Fantasy
- Conner, Ian, Horror
- Courtney, E.M., Romance
- Coyle, Matt, Mystery
- Crosby, Dennis K, Urban Fantasy
- Cruikshank, Peter, High Fantasy
- Davidson, Laurie Lee, Memoir
- Engel, Laura, Memoir
- Farese, Susan, Poetry
- Farnow, Dan, Religion/Self Help
- Fayman, Corey Lynn, Mystery/Suspense
- Ferguson, Leslie, Memoir
- Gilberg, Robert, Romantic Thrillers/Americana, Memoir
- Gomez-Neri, Sonia, Children’s Picture Book
- Grifant, KC, Horror, Dark Fantasy
- Halvorsen, Theresa, Spec Fiction
- Hancock, Jeffrey, Urban Fantasy
- Haskell, Megan, Portal Fantasy
- Hayden, T.N., Fantasy Romance
- Heasley, Carol, Poetry
- Hill, Martin Roy, Thrillers, Mystery, Sci-Fi
- Horton, Mary Ann, Memoir
- Ippolito, Curtis, Mystery/Crime
- Johnson, Nancy Pants, Nonfiction/Self Help
- Kephart, Cherie, Memoir/Poetry
- Lane, Lisa M, Historical Fiction, Mystery
- Larson, David, True Crime
- Lasky, Allie, College Sports Romance
- Lundquist, Eileen, Historical Fiction
- Marcus, Gideon, Science Fiction
- Martin, Erik Christopher, Middle Grade Mystery
- Masters Haines, Jayne, Suspense/Thriller
- McDevitt, Michael E, Children’s Picture Book
- Miller, Tim, Humor
- Muschenetz, Jane, Poetry
- Nanson, Gary, Crime/Thriller
- O’Connor, Kyomi, Memoir
- Oswald, Brandon, Nonfiction
- Page, Ava, Thriller
- Pallamary, Matthew J, Multi
- Parker, T Jefferson, Thriller
- Payton, Penny, Emotional Wellness/Self Help
- Penter, Joy, Fantasy Fairytale
- Peterson, Pete, Historical/Literary Fiction
- Pryputniewicz, Tania, Poetry, Memoir-in-Poems
- Ratajkowski, John, Art
- Reed, David W., Adventure Memoir
- Richter, M.A., Epic Fantasy
- Ross, Tanya, Young Adult Dystopia
- Schaefer, Gregory, Horror
- Schmitz, Adam, SciFi/Fantasy
- Segobia, Camille, Nonfiction/Travel
- Sinclair, Aiysha, Children’s
- Stanigar, Judy, Women’s Fiction
- Stephenson, Annette, Clean Romance
- Steves, Alyse, SciFi/Fantasy
- Swift, Bethel, Poetry
- Thomas-Sundstrom, Linda, Paranormal Romance
- Thomas, Rikah, Poetry
- Tunnell, Jolie, Historical Mystery
- Vitale, Daniel, SciFi/Spec Fiction
- Wall, Adam W, Fiction
- Wilson, Angie, Children’s Picture Books
- Zadeik, Anastasia, Thriller/Mystery
Publicity
“Spotlight on the Community” podcast interview with Drew Schlosberg
“Authors on the Porch” podcast interview and advert with CJ Ives
Mad appreciation for our sponsors and marketing partners!
🐉 We couldn’t do this without you!
Once Upon a Book Fair is a free event made possible by our location sponsor, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, the art & soul of our community, featuring concerts & performances, museum exhibits, education programs & special event venues.
Our marketing partner, the San Diego Writers Festival, offers free classes from world-class instructors as well as children’s programs, podcast, book club, contests, author events, and more.
We have an amazing team of volunteers, support staff, and advisors donating time and talent all year to make this event possible. A heartfelt thank you to each and every one.