Julie Spira, Wolfgang Puck, Marcia and Steven J. Cannell

When the invitation to the Los Angeles Public Library Literary Feasts arrived in the mail, it was difficult to decide which of the 50 incredible events to attend.

The Literary Feasts is a bi-annual event with distinguished authors being hosted in some of the most magnificent homes in Los Angeles. One year, I dined at bestselling author, Judith Krantz’s home where she hosted Spiderman’s Stan Lee. The choices ranged from authors, Mary Higgins Clark, Robert Wagner, Lisa See, Richard Reeves, Carl Reiner, and numerous others.

This year, I was treated to a special evening with veteran producer, director, screenwriter, and novelist, Stephen J. Cannell at a beautiful estate in Brentwood, personally catered by Spago’s Wolfgang Puck.

Cannell has authored 15 books, and talked about his career, family, and how his dyslexia caused him to be held-back more than once as a student. He brought his lovely wife, Marcia with him. The two met when they were in 8th grade. Not only did we hear about The Rockford Files, The A-Team, Hawaii Five-0, 21 Jump Street and the incredible television shows he created, but he gave us personal details on his writing style. His discipline allows him to write for 5 hours daily and create a novel in only 58 days. His bestselling crime thrillers feature LAPD Detective Shane Scully. It was an intimate dinner of 20 filled with warmth and conversation.

This year’s event, held on November 2, 2009, raised over $500,000 for the Los Angeles Public Library and was hosted by the Council for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. The Foundation secures private support for library enrichment programs and services for children and teens. Programs include: Grandparents and Books, Children’s Reading Club, Teen Reading Club, and Read to Me LA.

Julie Spira is the author of the online dating book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. Visit her at CyberDatingExpert.com