Lit pick of the week: LitFest Pasadena

This Saturday, the fifth annual LitFest Pasadena takes over Vroman’s Bookstore and nearby locations with readings, panels, signings, awards and more.

Some highlights include readings by Altadena’s poets laureates, writers Tananarive Due and Sherri Smith headlining a panel on Octavia Butler and Afro Futurism, authors Janet Fitch and Judith Freeman leading a workshop on micro-narratives (you’ll need to bring something to write with and on to this one) and Gary Phillips moderating a panel with Christa Faust, Rachel Howzell Hall, Frank Girardot, and others on crime writing.

There are also offerings that speak to those who care about the place of writing in our lives, with Jervey Tervalon, Elizabeth Pomeroy, Laura Zachar and Christy Zamani on a panel discussing arts education in Pasadena, and L.A. Times’ arts and entertainment editor Laurie Ochoa discussing Latinos and Latinas in journalism with Jean Guerrero.

Then there’s Los Angeles Times food critic Jonathan Gold, who will talk with the audience about “City of Gold,” a film documentary about him and the L.A. area’s food culture; the screening is in the evening.

You’ll have two chances, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., to see Sandra Tsing Loh perform from “The Madwoman in the Volvo” at the Pasadena Playhouse courtyard, and she’ll be there to sign books too.

Check the LitFest Pasadena website for details; events begin at 10 a.m.