West Hollywood Book Fair 2010

Molly Ringwald, who stars in the series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” told the crowd that it was hard to get started writing. “I was hearing critics’ voices, which is pretty much the death of creativity.... Now I’m a published writer -- I can write anything I want!” She paused. “Also, I signed a two-book deal.” The audience laughed.  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)

The 100-degree heat took a toll. “Last year it was really energetic; it’s a great community,” said Phil Thompson, an owner of the Bodhi Tree bookstore, one of the West Hollywood Book Fair’s founding vendors. This year, though, he estimated attendance was down 30% to 50%. “It’s too hot.”  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)

Ham, left and Joslyn Field, representatives of Misakontic University (and, in real life, Enigma Live Game Labs), enlisted help in decoding parts of the “Necronomicon” in a live, interactive Lovecraftian adventure.  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)

David Kipen, left, who moved back to Los Angeles after finishing his term as director of literature at the National Endowment for the Arts, gets a hint in the Lovecraft game from “Morticia” (Maria Alexander).  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)

Novelist Christopher Rice, Anne Rice’s son, listens as William Link, 76, creator of “Columbo” talks about his latest project. “I’ve written 32 Columbo short stories,” Link said. “I’d like to write 50 before I buy the farm.”  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)

Major Southern California novelists Aimee Bender, Marisa Silver and Michael Jaime-Becerra share a laugh at their afternoon panel.  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)

Brad Listi, author and founder of the literary community website the Nervous Breakdown, manned his booth despite having risen at 2 a.m. with his infant daughter.  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)

Panelists: Alison Arngrim, whose memoir “Confessions of a Prairie Bitch” includes both her stint as Nellie Olson on television’s “Little House on the Prairie” and her work as a stand-up comic and AIDS activist; comic and author Paul Provenza (“Satiristas!”), moderator Greg Hernandez and comedian Heather McDonald (“You’ll Never Blue Ball in This Town Again”). Not shown: photographer Dan Dion.  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)

Habte-Gabr, producer of the Live Talks Los Angeles reading series, and radio reporter Lisa Napoli check the book fair’s schedule.  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)

The high temperatures meant it was often easy to find a seat.  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)

PEN-USA allowed readers to pose with famous writers, with the help of a green screen. Staff writer Carolyn Kellogg has a digital encounter with Ernest Hemingway.  (Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times)