Zibby's Bookshop Hosted Santa Monica Retreat

The local bookstore held a literary retreat featuring author discussions and a book launch.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Health and Wellness

Zibby's Bookshop Hosted Santa Monica Retreat

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Do you prefer attending intimate, local book events rather than large, traditional promotional tours?

Zibby's Bookshop hosted an intimate book retreat in Santa Monica that included panel discussions, a movie screening, and a group lunch. The event served as the official book launch for Zibby Owens' new work, Between Chapters.

Why it matters

The retreat was designed to provide an intimate alternative to traditional book tours by fostering direct community interaction. Through panels focused on female identity, the organizer sought to create a space for readers to discuss strategies for maintaining hope and joy.

The retreat featured contributions from authors Emma Heming Willis, Cleo Wade, and Tess Sanchez. These panelists engaged with participants throughout a day that included a private screening and lunch at the Courtyard Kitchen on Montana Ave.

The players

Zibby Owens

She is an author and the proprietor of Zibby's Bookshop who hosted the recent retreat to launch her latest book.

Emma Heming Willis

She is an author and activist who participated as a panelist during the Santa Monica event.

Cleo Wade

She is an author known for her poetry and inspirational writing who joined the panel discussions.

Tess Sanchez

She is an author who contributed to the day's discussions regarding female identity and strategies for hope.

Zibby's Bookshop

This is a Santa Monica-based literary institution that serves as a hub for local author events and community gatherings.

The details

The event utilized interactive panels to explore themes of female identity while providing a platform for Zibby Owens to launch her latest book, Between Chapters. By hosting the gathering locally at the shop and nearby on Montana Ave, organizers aimed to move away from the scale of traditional book tours.

The book retreat took place on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This retreat follows a pattern set by the industry-wide move toward more personalized and intimate community-driven literary gatherings. Such events represent a departure from traditional, large-scale book tour models by prioritizing deep engagement over mass-market promotion.

Readers interested in Zibby Owens' latest work can now access Between Chapters through the bookstore's retail channels. Those looking to participate in future literary gatherings should monitor the shop's calendar for upcoming retreat announcements.

The takeaway

Smaller, retreat-style book events are increasingly popular for those seeking meaningful discussion on identity and personal growth. Attendees can implement the strategies shared by authors at the event to better foster hope and joy in their own daily lives.