Alta Journal

Alta Journal Alta Journal is a quarterly magazine celebrating and examining California and the West.

Alta Journal, launched in Fall 2017, is a magazine, website and series of events that will provide a fresh, smart, literate take on the issues, culture, personalities, politics, lifestyle and history of California. Alta’s quarterly magazine features some of the state’s best writers, photographers and illustrators.

Novelist Lisa Locascio Nighthawk remembers the challenges of the yearslong home she chose—and returned to.
05/09/2024

Novelist Lisa Locascio Nighthawk remembers the challenges of the yearslong home she chose—and returned to.

"The back room of Café Tropical," Murphy writes, "was a place where the sacred and profane of daily living in the City o...
05/09/2024

"The back room of Café Tropical," Murphy writes, "was a place where the sacred and profane of daily living in the City of Angels came together."

"Poetry is to listen and speak at different frequencies." Leigh Lucas pens a poem.
05/09/2024

"Poetry is to listen and speak at different frequencies." Leigh Lucas pens a poem.

Joseph Giovannini examines Southern California’s famed palm and citrus trees.
05/09/2024

Joseph Giovannini examines Southern California’s famed palm and citrus trees.

Researchers show that it is possible to reintroduce the iconic brown bear to California. But will people put up with it?
04/09/2024

Researchers show that it is possible to reintroduce the iconic brown bear to California.

But will people put up with it?

A tale of love, tainted marshmallows, and murder at the Carmel artist colony.
04/09/2024

A tale of love, tainted marshmallows, and murder at the Carmel artist colony.

Today, Morbid Anatomy's Joanna Ebenstein joins us to talk all things death. Register now!
04/09/2024

Today, Morbid Anatomy's Joanna Ebenstein joins us to talk all things death.

Register now!

Michael Nott’s colossal biography "Thom Gunn: A Cool Q***r Life" begins with the death of Gunn's mother."Nott steers cle...
04/09/2024

Michael Nott’s colossal biography "Thom Gunn: A Cool Q***r Life" begins with the death of Gunn's mother.

"Nott steers clear of hagiography and makes no attempt to shield us from chaotic or unpleasant truths."

TODAY: Meet Morbid Anatomy, an online journal and community created by Joanna Ebenstein that aims to explore, befriend, ...
04/09/2024

TODAY: Meet Morbid Anatomy, an online journal and community created by Joanna Ebenstein that aims to explore, befriend, and normalize death at 12:30 p.m. Pacific time!

"This is a love poem to both my husband and the San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes people disparage our city, but we figh...
03/09/2024

"This is a love poem to both my husband and the San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes people disparage our city, but we fight for what’s right here, and we love one another well."

Today, the California Book Club takes a look at how Danzy Senna’s novel plays with questions of commodification, propert...
03/09/2024

Today, the California Book Club takes a look at how Danzy Senna’s novel plays with questions of commodification, property, and ownership.

Meet Morbid Anatomy, an online journal and community created by Joanna Ebenstein that aims to explore, befriend, and nor...
03/09/2024

Meet Morbid Anatomy, an online journal and community created by Joanna Ebenstein that aims to explore, befriend, and normalize death tomorrow, September 4.

In "Earth to Moon," Moon Unit Zappa reckons with being a person in the world.
03/09/2024

In "Earth to Moon," Moon Unit Zappa reckons with being a person in the world.

Morbid Anatomy's Joanna Ebenstein joins Alta Live and senior editor Matt Haber to discuss her fascination with the end o...
03/09/2024

Morbid Anatomy's Joanna Ebenstein joins Alta Live and senior editor Matt Haber to discuss her fascination with the end of life, talk about her exciting new book, and invite us all to a party.

Join us!

Southern California’s famed palm and citrus trees are far more than just nice-to-look-at greenery. They’re part of an ur...
03/09/2024

Southern California’s famed palm and citrus trees are far more than just nice-to-look-at greenery. They’re part of an urban woodland, prized for their role in fighting climate change.

David L. Ulin shares why you should read the California Book Club's September pick.
03/09/2024

David L. Ulin shares why you should read the California Book Club's September pick.

Hazards stalked him every day. But somehow, Griffith Park’s big puma survived in the wild for more than a decade. His de...
02/09/2024

Hazards stalked him every day. But somehow, Griffith Park’s big puma survived in the wild for more than a decade.

His death devastated Los Angeles, the city he called home.

"A century ago, cities and even suburbs didn’t really see the forest for the trees. Now, they are seeing the trees for t...
02/09/2024

"A century ago, cities and even suburbs didn’t really see the forest for the trees. Now, they are seeing the trees for the forest."

"Is there any doubt that this is the function of art, of literature, to break down our complacency and replace it with c...
02/09/2024

"Is there any doubt that this is the function of art, of literature, to break down our complacency and replace it with complicity, to show us our faces refracted through characters about whom we cannot help but feel unresolved?"

Dive into the world of Morbid Anatomy with Lydia Horne's newsletter feature. Uncover the intersection of art, death, and...
02/09/2024

Dive into the world of Morbid Anatomy with Lydia Horne's newsletter feature. Uncover the intersection of art, death, and history with Joanna Ebenstein’s groundbreaking platform.

What is California’s greatest gift to the world?Stacey Grenrock Woods and Gustavo Arellano answer that and more.
02/09/2024

What is California’s greatest gift to the world?

Stacey Grenrock Woods and Gustavo Arellano answer that and more.

Altatude by Sarah Morrissette 🍭
01/09/2024

Altatude by Sarah Morrissette 🍭

Wear your love for California books on your sleeve. Final 48 hours to grab one of our beloved t-shirts and tote bags! h...
01/09/2024

Wear your love for California books on your sleeve. Final 48 hours to grab one of our beloved t-shirts and tote bags! https://store.altaonline.com/

"The patriotism of the Vietnamese people that many of us are old enough to remember from the 1960s remains in its artist...
01/09/2024

"The patriotism of the Vietnamese people that many of us are old enough to remember from the 1960s remains in its artists."

From California to Vietnam: A group of artists returns to their roots, creating bold and politically charged art while n...
31/08/2024

From California to Vietnam: A group of artists returns to their roots, creating bold and politically charged art while navigating the challenges of censorship.

She was the inspiration for Jack Kerouac’s "The Subterraneans," but who was Alene Lee?
30/08/2024

She was the inspiration for Jack Kerouac’s "The Subterraneans," but who was Alene Lee?

Fill your TBR list with September's new releases. This month, we’ve got our eyes on "I Love Hearing Your Dreams," "Dispo...
30/08/2024

Fill your TBR list with September's new releases. This month, we’ve got our eyes on "I Love Hearing Your Dreams," "Dispossessed," and eight other titles by writers on and of the West.

This week’s bestselling titles include "All Fours" by Miranda July, "The Art of Power" by Nancy Pelosi, and "The Wager" ...
30/08/2024

This week’s bestselling titles include "All Fours" by Miranda July, "The Art of Power" by Nancy Pelosi, and "The Wager" by David Grann.

Discover the art and history of death with Morbid Anatomy, an online journal founded by Joanna Ebenstein. Lydia Horne wr...
30/08/2024

Discover the art and history of death with Morbid Anatomy, an online journal founded by Joanna Ebenstein. Lydia Horne writes about this unique platform.

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Geoffrey Gray, author of "The Case of the Missing Chacmools," makes a plea to readers: if you know what happened to Carlos Castaneda's witches, give him a call. Have a tip for us? Send it to [email protected]. Read the story: https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a60923618/carlos-castaneda-cult-geoffrey-gray/

The Case of the Missing Chacmools
The Case of the Missing Chacmools

Carlos Castaneda was a bestselling author and motivational speaker whose book "The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge" found millions of readers worldwide. But the contents of the book itself were largely fabricated. Read more: https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a60923618/carlos-castaneda-cult-geoffrey-gray/

Listen to an excerpt of "The Case of the Missing Chacmools" by Geoffrey Gray, our summer cover story. https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a60923618/carlos-castaneda-cult-geoffrey-gray/

Soon after New Age icon and bestselling author Carlos Castaneda died in 1998, a group of his most loyal followers vanished, and many believed they’d made a suicide pact. For our summer cover story, Geoffrey Gray investigates the writer’s bizarre cult and finds himself entangled in a web of murky financial dealings, sex, possible foul play—and one death-defying supernatural being. Read "The Case of the Missing Chacmools": https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a60923618/carlos-castaneda-cult-geoffrey-gray/

Preorder Issue 28
Preorder Issue 28

Our summer issue features "The Case of the Missing Chacmools," an investigation into the disappearance of six woman after the death of New Age writer and cult leader Carlos Castaneda. It's a gripping tale of the unknown, finding family, the power of charisma, and the dangers of promise. "The Case of the Missing Chacmools" drops online this Thursday. Preorder the new issue: https://store.altaonline.com/products/issue-28

Become an Alta member and enjoy being the smartest person in the room.
Become an Alta member and enjoy being the smartest person in the room.

Become an Alta member and enjoy being the smartest person in the room. Become a member: https://bit.ly/3v1cyzA

Be the Siri of your next dinner party.
Be the Siri of your next dinner party.

Alta readers make the best dinner party guests 🥂 Become a member: https://memberships.altaonline.com/

Join ALTA LIVE every Wednesday at 12:30 PST. You never know who you'll meet. Join this week: https://www.altaonline.com/events/

Our Best Bookstores in California and the West guide is the perfect gift for the booklover on your list—and if you place your order before December 15, you’ll get it into their stocking in time for Christmas. Order here: https://trib.al/ZQK5Bgy

Poetry Friday with Tayi Tibble ❤️ Join us every Wednesday at 12:30 Pacific time for conversations with authors, trailblazers, and leaders across the world. Watch the event with Tayi Tibble and Forrest Gander: https://www.altaonline.com/events/a45037911/alta-lives-writers-on-writers-power-poet-forrest-gander-tayi-tibble/

Need a new book? We've got some recommendations. Our Holiday Book Guide features 126 books by Alta contributors, all recommended by Alta Journal. Tap the link in our bio to browse the guide, find a new, book, and get a headstart on your holiday shopping. . #bookguide #bookstores #holidaybookguide #altajournal

"It’s moments of petty glory followed by the occasional moment of petty humiliation. That’s what being an author is." Héctor Tobar and Myriam Gurba joined us at the beginning of the month for Alta Live's Writers on Writers series, a special event series featuring four intimate conversations between eight authors. Join us for the latest installment of the series tomorrow at 12:30 PST with Tod Goldberg and David L. Ulin on Modern Noir. Head to altaonline.com/events to register for the free digital event.

Throughout the month of October, Alta Live will exclusively offer intimate, eye-opening, and hopefully extremely fun discussions between two writers working in the same genre in our Writers on Writers series. We kicked off the series with Héctor Tobar and Myriam Gurba on Joan Didion, Latinx representation, and writing communities. The series continues through the month of October. Head to altaonline.com/events register for the free digital events.

Cheers to three years of the California Book Club! Join us on Thursday for the beginning of year four with Jennifer Egan. Head to calbookclub.com to learn more.

Terror Vault 2023 is called “The Initiation” and pays tribute to San Francisco’s rich history with cults and cult leaders. But these days, we’re surrounded by cults, Joshua Grannell (a.k.a. Peaches Christ) told Alta Live. Grannell joined Alta Live to give viewers a preview of the immersive haunted house experience presented at the San Francisco Mint. Head to altaonline.com/events to watch the conversation.

Big day for new books 📚💗 10 of our 18 books to read this October come out today! See the list: https://trib.al/4Enf0Be

Issue 25 is here! Explore the Writers Issue: https://trib.al/Wz0rawU

What does it take to be a writer today? Alta Journal's Issue 25 comes out next week. Preorder: https://trib.al/x3fQhea Become a member: https://trib.al/uQK5xJy

NEW MERCH ALERT! The Alta Bear t-shirt is available now in the Alta store, featuring custom designs by @teresaburnsparkhurst and @larskenseth. Buy it: https://trib.al/utW8J76

Alta Journal's Issue 25 comes out next week. Here's your first look at the Writers Issue ✍️📒 This issue features: 📕A profile of Dave Eggers, author of "The Circle" and "The Every" and creator of a bonafide quirky publishing empire. 📗A no-holds-barred scoop on a book tour with Blythe Roberson, author of "How to Date Men When You Hate Men" and "America the Beautiful?" 📘A critical look at how AI will change fiction writing and publishing for good—and how that may not be a bad thing. 📙Plus, original fiction, poetry, criticism, reporting, and more. Preorder: https://trib.al/MDuMIEp Become a member: https://trib.al/g1nT9M1

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The Journal of Alta California, launched in Fall 2017, is a magazine, website and series of events that will provide a fresh, smart, literate take on the issues, culture, personalities, politics, lifestyle and history of California. Alta’s quarterly magazine will feature some of the state’s best writers, photographers and illustrators, and its website, AltaOnline.com, will be a daily guide to the best writing about the state from Alta and other sources.