By Natalie MAIER

The La Crescenta Woman’s Club held its fifth annual Authors Luncheon on Monday at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club. About 95 guests, including members of the Woman’s Club of West Covina and Sierra Madre Woman’s Club, were present to hear mystery and thriller writers Hannah Dennison and Jesse Kellerman and women’s literature author Ashley Ream. According to Carol Huntwork, president of the LCWC, this year’s event was the club’s most successful.

All the proceeds from the luncheon were dedicated to the LCWC’s charities, such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, the Salvation Army and Prom Plus. Some of the money will also go toward reconstructing the LCWC clubhouse, which was built in 1924.

The authors sat at different tables, giving attendees the opportunity to meet them and buy their books. A silent auction and opportunity raffle was held featuring donated items such as a cookie jar, fine wine and a festive margarita basket.

Around 10 a.m., Huntwork took the mic, welcoming guests and inviting each author to give an overview of their work.

Dennison’s wit and humor engaged the audience as she spoke about her experiences of moving from England to L.A., having an exclusive interview with a snail trainer and offering her perspective on the sport of hedge jumping.

Kellerman shared his experiences of growing up with author parents Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, and his own discovery of the love of telling stories.

The audience roared with laughter as Ream confessed that when her agent told her to write a woman’s fiction story, she wrote about the life of a hippopotamus living in the desert. She admitted that she was lost as to what to write, but the story ultimately led her to write her first published novel, “Losing Clementine.”

All three writers spoke about rejection and their perseverance in having their dreams of being published become a reality.

The luncheon proved to be a win/win for both the authors and the attendees.

Kellerman said that writing is often solitary, but coming to the luncheon “was a nice reminder that he is writing for an audience.”

Interacting with the women and hearing about what they want to read is significant, Dennison added.

“Having a personal connection with the readers is very important,” she said.

Guest Marlene Plummer, who has been attending the annual luncheon for the past four years, said that she enjoyed the social aspect of the occasion.

“We are here because we love to chat, read, eat and drink coffee,” Plummer said. She also noted that attending the luncheon inspired her to write.

  Natalie MAIER