The perfect ending: Writers’ epitaphs

“Never met a word count she didn’t exceed, in life and in work.” --Heather Cocks, right, co-author of the young adult novel “Messy” (Jessica Morgan, left) (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

April 11, 2014 6 PM PT

Writers like to have the last word. When we surveyed authors coming to this year’s Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, we gave them a chance to provide the final words that would accompany their resting place. Here are some of our favorite author epitaphs. Long may they live!

“Well, that was fun.” --Attica Locke, author of the novel “The Cutting Season” (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

“Great, now you want to read my books?” --Samantha Dunn, author of the novel “Failing Paris” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

“Short ride; loved most of it.” --T. Jefferson Parker, author of the novel “The Famous and the Dead” (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“Dry your tears. On with the show.” --Sandra Tsing Loh, author of the upcoming memoir “The Madwoman in the Volvo: My Year of Raging Hormones” (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)