The four featured authors this year, all from the Bay Area, will be discussing what is it like to be an author — and the steps, challenges and highlights along the way.

The authors are:

• Berkeley resident Dana Whitaker whose books include Transforming Lives $40 at a Time (pictured above), Women and Microfinance: Upending the Status Quo.
• Bonnie Tsui, author of American Chinatown: A People’s History of Five Neighborhoods.
• Michelle Richmond, the author of four books of fiction, including the critically acclaimed novel No One You Know and the New York Times bestseller The Year of Fog.
• Vivienne Sosnowski, the author of When the Rivers Ran Red which has appeared on the San Francisco Chronicle’s best-selling book list.

The day will include presentations, Q&As and book signings and runs from 8:45- 3:30. The event is  sponsored by the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland. Books by the featured authors will be sold by Books Inc Alameda throughout the day with 20% of the proceeds going towards support of YWCA programs.  Call the YWCA at 510-848-6370 to make a reservation.

Update: Tickets, at $80.00 each, are also available on the door.