In Fall 2023, Professor Gina Shaffer, who teaches creative writing, literature, and composition at Saddleback College, began planning the literary festival as a sabbatical project. Her experiences as faculty advisor for WALL Literary Journal, an award-winning student publication, inspired the concept. She envisioned the festival as an event that celebrates the literary talents of Orange County authors as well as students and faculty on campus. Colleagues from the English Department, administrators from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and staff members throughout the campus eagerly lent their insights and energies toward planning, funding, and promoting WORD FEST OC, an event intended to make the college a focal point of literary activities and strengthen ties between the campus and surrounding community. The festival also is aimed at promoting campuswide appreciation for multicultural literature and the value of creative writing as a source of self-expression and empowerment.

Special thanks go to Dean Christina Hinkle and Assistant Dean Jessica Kaven of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences; Dr. Elliot Stern, President of Saddleback College; Tram Vo-Kumamoto, Vice President for Instruction; Dr. Susana Castellanos, Director of College Equity, Inclusion & Access; Catherine Hayter and Ray Zimmerman, Chairs of the English Department; and Suki Fisher, Bridget Hoida, Brett Myhren, Jennifer Hedgecock, Shellie Ochi, and Jessica Budica, members of the English Department faculty.

Support for WORD FEST OC is also made possible by Christopher Hargraves, Director of Student Life; Jacqueline Zimbalist and Rachael Roberts (Office of Student Development);