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West Hollywood Launches 2026 WeHo Reads Series with 'Telling Family Secrets' Event
Free virtual program features Toni Ann Johnson, Aimee Liu, Juanita E. Mantz and Hannah Sward
Published on Feb. 18, 2026
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West Hollywood's annual WeHo Reads series is returning in 2026 with a virtual conversation centered on memoir, storytelling and the risks of revealing family secrets. The free literary program will open on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. with an online event titled 'WeHo Reads: Telling Family Secrets', featuring four women writers examining how personal narratives can serve as acts of vulnerability and creative courage.
Why it matters
The event explores the consequences of both silence and disclosure when authors draw from intimate family histories, providing a platform for writers to share their personal experiences and insights on the complexities of revealing family secrets through their work.
The details
The discussion will feature Toni Ann Johnson, Aimee Liu, Juanita E. Mantz, and Hannah Sward, all acclaimed authors who have explored themes of family, identity, and the power of storytelling in their respective memoirs and works of fiction. Organizers say the conversation will delve into how these writers navigate the risks and rewards of mining their personal lives for creative inspiration.
- The free virtual event will take place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The players
Toni Ann Johnson
An author whose works include the Arrington family saga, the Flannery O'Connor Award-winning 'Light Skin Gone to Waste', and the Screen Door Press Prize-winning linked collection 'But Where's Home?'.
Aimee Liu
A bestselling author of novels such as 'Glorious Boy', 'Flash House', 'Cloud Mountain' and 'Face', as well as the memoirs 'Solitaire' and 'Gaining'.
Juanita E. Mantz
Also known as JEM, the author of 'Tales of an Inland Empire Girl' and host of the 'Life of JEM' podcast.
Hannah Sward
The author of 'Strip: A Memoir', whose essays have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, HuffPost and The New York Times.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
What’s next
Additional events in the 2026 WeHo Reads lineup are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The takeaway
The 'Telling Family Secrets' event provides a platform for acclaimed authors to share their personal experiences and insights on the complexities of revealing family histories through their creative work, fostering a deeper understanding of the risks and rewards of such vulnerability.
