Frequently Asked Questions

  • During the festival, Library doors will open at 7:30 AM each morning.

    Outside of the festival, regular hours of operation are posed on the library website.

  • Parking is valet ONLY. Please plan to arrive early.

  • Sessions begin at 8:30 am. There are seven sets of sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, with 15-minute breaks between sessions and a 45-minute lunch break. On Friday, there are four sets of sessions.

  • Sessions last approximately 45 minutes.

  • Some writers will leave time for questions and answers. During the Q & A, please speak clearly and limit your interactions to a single question.

  • Admission to all events requires a personalized lanyard, which should always be worn. Your lanyard provides access to the Library during the Festival as well as to lunch. Please note that replacement lanyards cannot be issued. Seating at each venue is first come, first served. If a room reaches capacity, we encourage you to attend a different author session. A Festival pass does not guarantee entry to any specific presentation. However, most sessions are recorded, giving you the opportunity to view any you may have missed.

  • Complimentary coffee and pastries will be available, sponsored by Desert Allergy, Diane and Dr. David Waldman. We also offer water and a selection of complimentary candies throughout the day. You will have your choice of delicious boxed lunches each day.

  • We have installed state-of-the-art hearing loops throughout the Library. You can now conveniently receive crystal-clear sound that is wirelessly transferred directly to your hearing aid, cochlear implant, or smartphone. No matter your seating distance from the amplified speaker, distractions from audience noise, or room acoustics, you will be able to clearly hear speech and enjoy music as if you were sitting right next to the presenter or performer. Simply switch your hearing aid or cochlear implant to the “T”, telecoil, or hearing loop program. Our system is compatible with all manufacturers of hearing aids and cochlear implants that are equipped with an activated t-coil or telecoil; consult with your audiologist for activation.

    Otojoy assisted hearing packs with headphones can be provided upon request.

    Watch a video to learn more

  • Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices before the start of each event. No flash photography or audio/visual recording is permitted. Feel free to tweet, post to Facebook, and use other social media to tell friends about your favorite authors. Use our hashtags #RMWF, #RMWF2026 and #VisitRanchoMirage. Check out our social media and join the conversation:

    Facebook

    Instagram

  • The temperature in the building can and does fluctuate, so it is best to dress in layers or bring a sweater.

  • Most writers will be available to sign their books immediately following their presentations, next to the bookstore.

  • To access the Library WiFi, sign onto the “RMWF Guest” network, open an Internet browser app or window, and you are on!

  • In case of a medical emergency please notify any of our staff. We would like to thank Eisenhower Health for providing medical staff onsite at the library during the Festival.

  • There is a guest services desk at the west entrance to the Library where you will find a lost and found. Staff members are also eager to help. They are wearing RMWF polo shirts and STAFF lanyards.

  • The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival is unable to provide refunds on purchased tickets. Dates, times and authors are subject to change without notice. If a purchaser notifies the Festival at 760-341-7323 ext. 604 before the event that he/she will not attend, the original purchase will be treated as a face value tax-deductible donation until 5 PM the day before the Festival begins. The Festival will make every effort to provide these unused passes to area students, giving them the opportunity to meet authors and to have the learning experience provided by the Festival.

  • Due to high demand, tickets to the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival often sell out quickly. If you were unable to secure a ticket, we encourage you to join our waitlist for a chance to attend should additional tickets become available. Additionally, every session of the festival is live streamed for free, allowing you to experience the events from anywhere. Recordings of all sessions are also available on our YouTube channel at no cost, so you can enjoy the presentations at your convenience.