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    Cherilyn Parsons

    Bay Area Book Festival founder & former ED, now in Paris! (Full work authorization in France under "passeport talent - renommée international")

    Cherilyn Parsons: Founder and Former Executive Director of the Bay Area Book Festival

    Cherilyn Parsons is the founder and former executive director of the Bay Area Book Festival, a major literary event held annually in Berkeley, California. Here are the key facts about her:

    • Founded the Bay Area Book Festival in 2013 and served as its executive director from 2015 to June 2023123
    • Under her leadership, the festival grew into one of the largest literary events in the U.S., featuring over 1,600 acclaimed authors from the Bay Area, U.S. and around the world23
    • The festival presents 250-300 authors across 100 events each year, attracting 10,000-20,000 attendees3
    • Parsons personally raised the majority of the festival's revenue, which grew from $600K to $1.2M annually3
    • She also founded Women Lit, a literary program focused on women authors, in 20183
    • Parsons stepped down as executive director in June 2023 but will remain involved as a trusted advisor12
    • She plans to pursue her own writing, rest, and rejuvenate after nearly 11 years of building the festival1
    • Parsons moved to Paris in late 2023 and was awarded a "talent visa" for international renown in July 2024, allowing her to work unrestricted in France3

    In summary, Cherilyn Parsons is the visionary founder who built the Bay Area Book Festival into a major cultural institution over the past decade. Her departure marks a transition for the festival as it enters its second decade.

    Highlights

    Apr 6 · baybookfest.org
    Executive Director Cherilyn Parsons Steps Down from the Bay Area ...
    Bay Area Book Festival founder to step down - SF Chronicle Datebook
    Bay Area Book Festival founder to step down - SF Chronicle Datebook
    Cherilyn Parsons Talks Women Lit, a Program of the Bay Area Book ...
    Cherilyn Parsons Talks Women Lit, a Program of the Bay Area Book ...
    Mar 6 · baybookfest.org
    Cherilyn Parsons - Bay Area Book Festival
    Cherilyn Parsons - Bay Area Book Festival

    Related Questions

    What inspired Cherilyn Parsons to start the Bay Area Book Festival?
    How did the Bay Area Book Festival evolve under Cherilyn Parsons' leadership?
    What are some of the notable authors who have participated in the Bay Area Book Festival?
    What will Cherilyn Parsons focus on after stepping down from the Bay Area Book Festival?
    How has the Bay Area Book Festival impacted the local literary community?
    Cherilyn Parsons
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    Location

    Paris, Île-de-France, France