​Silent Water (& Dream Books) Productions

​Honoring the Difficult, Diverse & the Divine​
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Our Mission

We will bring some of the most dynamic writers, artists and activists from diverse backgrounds to uplift books/art and spark change. The Diversity Project is a creative outlet dedicated to female and Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) voices, and a consulting agency supporting stores and venues looking to incorporate diverse representation to their customers and communities. The primary goal of The Diversity Project is to use various media platforms and promotional pieces to elevate unique BIPOC and female issues and stories.

Our Focus

Topical issues and relevant books will be presented by writers, other artists and agents of change. For too long BIPOC and women have been marginalized in the literary and activist circles, but recently their stories have become more appreciated and sought after. Now more than ever as the world is facing unique challenges and changing drastically on several levels, people need the healing aspect(?) of diverse and inclusive communities. As such, SWP will creatively and effectively connect the writers/artists with the targeted audiences and merchants.

Our Values

Educate I Entertain I Engage I Inspire
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​At SWP, we curate, promote and moderate live and lively topical interviews and other type of events with authors, artists and activists. We do so by using various media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook and other virtual outlets. Be it for our own  SWP events or on behalf of our clients, we provide full service curation. From more simple one-on-one discussions, book promotions and launches, to complex special panel events, we bring all the necessary elements together.  Whether virtually or in-person; whether intimate or larger functions, it all matters to us, and these presentations allow us and our clients to engage our audience.

                                                                                                                Series Curator/Moderator  

PAULA  FARMER is a buyer and event host/moderator for Book Passage bookstores, having overseen hundreds of author events during her tenure there. In recent years, she’s been known for curating special panel events such as “Race in America” and “Immigration in America.” Additionally, she was selected to chair the Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee for the California Independent Booksellers Association (2019- present). Paula was recently (2021) selected by the American Booksellers Association (ABA) to be on their Diversity Equity & Inclusion committee board.  Her background is as a news journalist/producer for outlets such as CBS Radio, ABC Radio, and a film and theater reviewer for the Detroit Metro Times, and Culture Vulture online arts magazine. After growing up in Detroit, and spending several years in New York, she now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area where in addition to holding positions at Book Passage, she continues work as a freelance journalist and  website writer. For more information on Paula go HERE.
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                                                                        SPECIAL AUTHOR INTERVIEW EVENTS FOR Book Passage​ and other clients

                                                                                                                Upcoming  & Archive Client Events of Note
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PRIDE PANEL 2024 In honor of PRIDE Month 2024, Book Passage is proud to uplift LGBTQ+ voices, stories and issues with a special panel discussion online June 18 at 5:30pm PT at YouTube.com/BookPassageTV. The event will feature exciting new and established authors on the literary landscape discussing their writings, the importance of Queer books and their take on political and social issues within the community.

Whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, this is a discussion you don’t want to miss! 

Panelists include authors KB Brookins, Karl Dunn, Laura Gao and Ann Pellegrini

Free Online at YouTube.com/BookPassageTV

In honor of Women’s History Month 2024, Book Passage is proud to present a special panel event celebrating the impact of women writers, past and present. The panel is made up of authors of diverse backgrounds and writing in different genres, we will discuss among many things, the importance of women’s voices and stories in the still male-dominated literary landscape. 

This will be a great opportunity to celebrate, have discourse, ask questions, and be inspired. Panelists include (alphabetical order) -

Margo Candela, Journalist / Author
Linda Gonzalez, Writer/Life Coach/ Strategist for BIPOC Businesses
Anita Gail Jones, Author/Oral Storyteller/ Voting Rights Advocate
Priscilla Wathington - Palestinian-American Poet / writer

Join us on Saturday, March 9 at 2pm In-Person -  Corte Madera store and Live-Online HERE



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                                                                                         Speaking Of ..." interview series  - Paula Farmer on Instagram Live in conversation
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Upcoming IG Interviews - 

Phoenix Armenta - In addition to being a community and climate justice activist, Armenta is an experienced Environmental Engagement Specialist, with a long history of working in the government relations industry. They are the senior manager for climate equity and community engagement at the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC). Among other issues, we'll be discussing how marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental issues, and how the current political climate and administrative policies are impacting environmental funding. We should all be aware, and maybe consider involvement in fighting for community and climate equity.

Join the IG live discussion on Tuesday, March 15 @ 3:00 PT/ 6:00 ET

Anna Malaika Tubbs - Influenced by her exposure to all kinds of cultures and beliefs, Anna is inspired to bring people together through the celebration of difference. Motivated by her mother’s work advocating for women’s and children’s rights around the world, Anna uses an intersectional lens to advocate for women of color and educate others in all of her projects. She takes from her academic background and produces content that is easy for others to connect with and understand. Her focus is on addressing gender and race issues in the U.S., especially the pervasive erasure of Black women.

In her groundbreaking and essential debut "The Three Mothers," scholar Anna Malaika Tubbs celebrates Black motherhood by telling the story of the three women who raised and shaped some of America’s most pivotal heroes: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. In greatly anticipated follow-up book, "Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden From Us," Malaika Tubbs recovers all that American patriarchy has tried to destroy. 

Join the IG live discussion on Tuesday, March 18 @ 2:00 PT/ 5:00 ET


Juliana Pache - Speaking of a unique way to honor Black History Month - Juliana is a media professional and the creator of Black Crossword. Before launching BlackCrossword.com in 2023, she led social strategy at brands and publications such as The FADER and Rolling Stone. Her first book of puzzles “Black Crossword: 100 Mini Puzzles Celebrating the African Diaspora” was published in 2024 and Her next book of MIDI puzzles will be released in June 2025. To buy a copy of "Black Crossword" go to  julianapache.com/blackcrossword

Linda González is a bilingual life coach, author and business strategist, with expertise in facilitating and building sustainable solutions for diverse participants in the non-profit, social justice, educational, and philanthropic arenas. Her purpose is to work with multicultural wisdom and inspire people to embark on a creative journey of balance and healing for this and future generations. She is also the author of three books, the most recent is entitled "Mothering As Legacy". Go here for more information re: Linda's work and to buy her books - https://lindagonzalez.net/writing/

Join the IG live discussion on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 3:00 PT / 6:00 ET


Archived IG Interviews - 

Christine Bollow  is the Co-Owner and Director of Programs for Loyalty Bookstores — a Black, Queer, and Asian owned bookstore in Washington, DC and Silver Spring, MD. Christine is a 2024 Kirkus Prize Fiction Juror, 2022 Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree, winner of the Duende-Word BIPOC Bookseller Award for Leadership, and currently serves on the American Bookseller Association’s DEI Committee. A graduate of Barnard College, Christine is the Founder and Director of the Liwanag Filipino Lit Fest in DC as well as the Book Consultant for both Awesome Con in Washington, DC and Rose City Comic Con in Portland, OR.

Philomena Polefrone - Advocacy Associate Manager for the American Booksellers Association where she champions intellectual freedom and free expression. With a background in bookselling and a decade in academia, Philomena brings a unique perspective to her work, blending literature and activism. She leads initiatives like the Set Books Free Project, aimed at combating book bans and promoting access to diverse, often censored literature. Her passion for defending the right to read makes her a key advocate in the fight against censorship.

Laura Gao - Speaking of PRIDE 2024 and LGBTQ stories & voices- Laura is a Chinese-American comic artist who became famous when she released a short comic called "The Wuhan I Know" in response to the growing xenophobia in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The comic was later used as the basis for her acclaimed and popular graphic memoir called MESSY ROOTS. Laura was born in Wuhan, China, immigrated to the US when she was four years old. She grew up in Texas, but her career has landed her in San Francisco.

Join the IG interview live! Thursday,  June 20 at 3:00 PT / 6:00 ET

Priscilla Wathington is a Palestinian American poet, writer and human rights advocate. Her poems and other writings have appeared in Gulf Coast, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Normal School and more publications. Her debut chapbook, "Paper & Stick" explores the way language shadows atrocities. Her writing and advocacy on behalf of oppressed Palestinians is not only timely and vital, but full of passion and deeply nuanced. Priscilla inspires other writers to express their passions and activism through the power of language. 

Join the IG interview live! WEDNESDAY, April 17 at 4:30 PT / 7:30 ET @paulawritesreviews

Rosanna Xia  is an environment reporter for the Los Angeles Times, where she specializes in stories about the coast and ocean. She was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2020 for explanatory reporting, and her work has been anthologized in the “Best American Science and Nature Writing” series. Her first book, “California Against the Sea,” has been praised as a beautiful and revelatory exploration of how we relate to the natural world. Rosanna  is incredibly informative, thought provoking and utterly inspiring. Additionally, she is not only committed to promoting environmental issues in general, but she advocates on behalf of how those issues disproportionately impact marginalized communities.

Join the IG interview live! Wed., April 3 at 4:00 PT / 7:00 ET @paulawritesreviews    

Diya Abddo - Speaking Of... the global refugee crisis & love as compassion for the displaced. - Diya Adbo is the Lincoln Financial Professor of English in the Department of English and Creative Writing at Guilford College. She is the author of American Refuge: True Stories of the Refugee Experience. Dr. Adbo is also the founder of Every Campus A Refuge which works with refugee families on college and university campuses to assist in their resettlement. Given the current state of global affairs (a genocide in Gaza), we'll have a timely discussion that will inform and maybe inspire you to action.

Join the IG interview live! Wednesday, February 14 at 4:00 PT / 7:00 ET @paulawritesreviews

Yama Rahimi - Speaking Of... the best of movies 2023 and awards season 2024 - Besides being a huge movie buff, cinephile, Yama is the Film and Awards Correspondent for ioncinema.com. and has a long history of writing film reviews and author interviews for various publications.

Join the IG interview live! Wednesday, January 24 at 4:00 PT / 7:00 ET @paulawritesreviews

On the same program ...

Julie Rubio is an award-winning film producer, writer, director, and actor. She is the President of  Women in Film SF Bay Area. Rubio launched East Meets West Productions in 2002 and her films have been featured in many domestic and international festivals. Her 2016 award winning feature film, East Side Sushi is now available on Prime and other streaming platforms. She is near completion of a documentary about Tamara de Lempicka, the preeminent Art Deco painter.


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                                                                                                                          MERCHANDISE

Are you tired of seeing the same ol' faces on book totes? They are often dead and monochromatic, and usually men. Not here. With the "Mixed Bag" selection we are featuring diversity and contemporary, along with some classic figures. The project is in early days, with varying stages of production. As soon as the inventory increases, you will be alerted and encouraged to buy for yourself, for friends, family and fellow book lovers.

                                                                                                                                             ETC & CONTACT

For more information about our speakers series and our consulting services, contact Paula Farmer at [email protected]

For Book Reviews go HERE

For Film Reviews go HERE