Home: Finding Our Place in The World

What does it mean to find “home”? For some, it’s a place. For others, it’s a journey through loss, resilience, and reinvention.

Join us for Finding Home, a powerful and moving literary event featuring four remarkable writers who explore the idea of home through personal stories, fiction, memoir, and humor. From surviving natural disaster to navigating life’s many uprootings, each of our readers has a unique story to tell that touches on the universal desire for belonging.

This conversation will resonate deeply—especially here in Santa Monica, where stories of displacement and discovery are woven into the community fabric.

Nancy Spiller
Author of Entertaining Disasters and Compromise Cake, Nancy brings recipes, wit, and wisdom to the written word. A beloved UCLA Extension instructor and visual artist.
nancyspiller.org

Janet Clare
Her debut novel Time Is the Longest Distance captured hearts. Her latest, True Home, arrives May 20—an ideal companion to our event theme.
janetclarewriter.com

Susan Hayden
Creator of LA’s iconic Library Girl series and author of the hybrid memoir Now You Are a Missing Person—a Kirkus Best Indie Book of 2024.
susanhayden.com

Melanie Chartoff
Beloved actress and humorist, Melanie shares stories from Odd Woman Out and beyond. Expect laughs, wisdom, and a touch of the unexpected.
melaniechartoff.com

Steve Hochman – Acclaimed music journalist with a sharp ear for story and rhythm.

This event is free, but space is limited—RSVP now to reserve your seat.

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Host or Publisher Friends Of Santa Monica Public Library