Past Events & Appearances
Diana Kayla Hochberg has shared the story behind Connected: Finding My Truth through author talks, library programs, literary events, community gatherings, conferences, and conversations with readers.
Each appearance offers an opportunity to connect beyond the pages of the book—whether discussing the journey behind her memoir or exploring themes of identity, family, adoption, resilience, genealogy, and the search for truth.
This page highlights memorable events and appearances from Diana’s journey as an author.
Special Events & Highlights
Literary events, conferences, community programs, and selected appearances.
Library Talks & Programs
Author talks, writer programs, genealogy presentations, and library events.
Community & Author Appearances
Additional speaking engagements, reader gatherings, and memorable moments along the way.
Upcoming Event: Adoptee Read-a-Thon
Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 12 PM–8 PM Eastern
I'm excited to be participating as a featured reader in the 2026 Adoptee Read-a-Thon, a special fundraising event benefiting Adoptees for Family Preservation.
This event brings together adoptee authors and readers to celebrate adoptee voices, share meaningful stories, and support family preservation.
I'm also honored that my memoir, Connected: finding my truth, will be included in two special memoir bundles available through the event's fundraising auction.
As an adoptee and author, opportunities to share our stories and connect with others in the adoptee community are especially meaningful to me.
Join us on October 17!
Tickets are available now, and registration for the fundraising auction is open.
Purchase Tickets & Register to Bid
I hope you'll join us for this special event!
The Reading Cellar logo created by Jess Traw.
September 24, 2026
A Lovely Evening at The Reading Cellar
What a lovely evening at The Reading Cellar at Vino Bistro!
I had such a wonderful time sharing the evening with fellow authors, friends, readers, and everyone who stopped by to say hello. There is something very special about getting to talk with people face-to-face, hear their stories, and share a little of mine.
A big thank you to Jess and her son for bringing everyone together and to the staff at Vino Bistro for taking such good care of us.
Thank you to everyone who stopped at my table, chatted with me, and purchased a copy of Connected: Finding My Truth. Every time someone chooses to take my story home with them, it means more to me than I can say.
And a special thank you to Stacey for always being there and supporting me, to Melanie for coming and bringing Claudia—I’m so glad I had the chance to meet her—and to Dr. Terry for taking the time to come by. It was so nice to see you.
I left the evening feeling grateful for the conversations, the laughter, the new connections, and the people who continue to support this journey.
Here are a few moments from a very special night.
Books & Bagels Book Swap
September 26, 2026 | Salt Your Soul, Sarasota, Florida
I enjoyed spending the morning with the Florida Authors Collective at the Books & Bagels Book Swap in Sarasota.
It was a relaxed morning filled with books, conversation, and connection—a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow authors and readers and celebrate the stories that bring us together.
If you have good photos from that morning, place them right under this section.
Cresswind Book Club
Cresswind Book Club — Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
September 9, 2026
I enjoyed joining the Cresswind Book Club for an evening of conversation and discussion about Connected: Finding My Truth. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with readers and talk about the story behind my memoir.
Waccamaw Library
Writing Workshop at Waccamaw Library
September 10, 2026 | Pawleys Island, South Carolina
I had the pleasure of leading an interactive writing workshop at Waccamaw Library, where we explored storytelling, finding your voice, developing compelling characters, and turning ideas into a finished manuscript.
Annual Georgetown Art, Wine & Books
Annual Georgetown Art, Wine & Books
September 12–13, 2026 | Georgetown, South Carolina
I was delighted to participate in the Annual Georgetown Art, Wine & Books event along historic Front Street. The weekend brought together authors, artists, readers, and the community for a wonderful celebration of books, creativity, and conversation.
Memoir: How to Balance Personal Experience with Factual Research
September 10, 2026 | Waccamaw Library, Pawleys Island, South Carolina
I had the pleasure of returning to Waccamaw Library to lead a workshop on balancing personal experience with factual research in memoir writing.
Drawing from my own journey writing Connected: Finding My Truth, I shared how memory, research, and real-life events can work together to create a compelling and accurate narrative.
It was a thoughtful morning of writing, conversation, and connection with members of the Waccamaw Library Writing Group.
Then place the flyer underneath.
Moveable Feast Literary Luncheon
September 9, 2026 | Rustic Table, Pawleys Island, South Carolina
I was honored to be a featured author at Moveable Feast, the long-running literary luncheon series founded and hosted by Linda Ketron.
I joined fellow author Steve Hall, author of Blue Collar Poetry, for an afternoon of stories, conversation, and community. I shared the journey behind Connected: Finding My Truth and the decades-long search that led me to uncover the truth about my identity through genealogy, historical records, DNA discoveries, and unexpected family connections.
It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with readers, answer questions, and talk about the experiences that ultimately brought my story to the page.
Memoir Writing Workshop at Waccamaw Library
April 9, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Waccamaw Library | Pawleys Island, South Carolina
I had the pleasure of leading a memoir and nonfiction writing workshop for the Waccamaw Library Writing Group.
Drawing from my experience writing Connected: Finding My Truth, I shared how my own search for identity and family history eventually became a memoir—and how personal experiences, even complicated ones, can be shaped into meaningful stories.
During the workshop, we talked about how to begin writing your life story, how to approach difficult truths, and how to find your voice on the page.
It was a thoughtful morning of writing, conversation, and connection with people who were ready to explore their own stories more deeply.
Grateful for the conversations, connections, and shared stories from this morning at Waccamaw Library.
Art Under the Oaks
April 2026 | Pawleys Island, South Carolina
In April 2026, I had the opportunity to participate in Art Under the Oaks, where I shared Connected: Finding My Truth with readers and fellow authors.
What began with a local library writing group had grown into something much more. Spending the weekend connecting with readers, authors, and friends made this a meaningful milestone in my journey as a writer.
Untangling Our Roots 2026
March 19–22, 2026 | Atlanta, Georgia
I was honored to participate in Untangling Our Roots 2026 and join the panel “The Last to Know: How to Heal from Late Discovery.”
Our conversation explored the emotional impact of discovering the truth about your origins later in life, including identity, trust, belonging, grief, and the different paths toward healing.
As the author of Connected: Finding My Truth, I shared my own experience of late discovery and the decades-long journey that followed.
It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with others whose lives have also been shaped by unexpected truths about family and identity.
Tucson Festival of Books 2026
March 14–15, 2026 | University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
I was thrilled to have Connected: Finding My Truth selected for the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books as part of the Indie Author Experience.
Chosen from more than 275 indie submissions, Connected was included in this nationally recognized celebration of books and authors.
On March 15, I had the opportunity to sign books, meet readers, and share the story behind my memoir at the Adult Fiction & Nonfiction Pavilion.
Being part of the Tucson Festival of Books was a wonderful experience and another meaningful opportunity to connect with readers, fellow writers, and the larger literary community.
Annual Art & Wine Walk
September 13–14, 2025 | Pawleys Island, South Carolina
I was honored to share Connected: Finding My Truth at the Annual Art & Wine Walk with my publisher, Linda Ketron, and fellow CLASS Publishing authors.
It was a wonderful weekend of meeting readers, signing books, and celebrating stories, community, and connection.
I especially enjoyed reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new readers, and spending time with fellow authors and artists throughout the event.
Grateful for everyone who stopped by, shared a story, and made the weekend so memorable.
Our CLASS Publishing booth at the Annual Art & Wine Walk — so grateful for my publisher, Linda Ketron, for her guidance and support.
Sherri, one of my wonderful editors and a big part of my journey.
With Lee Brockington, fellow author of Pawleys Island: Stories from the Porch.
With Michael Rogan, a talented plein air artist and two-time reader of CONNECTED.
Joe Tempel, a gifted black-and-white photographer and longtime Denver resident, stopped by to share his support.
Summer Art Show at Old Town Hall
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
I had the pleasure of participating in the Summer Art Show at Old Town Hall, presented by the Waccamaw Neck Arts Alliance.
The event brought together local artists, authors, and makers for a celebration of creativity and community. I was there with Connected: Finding My Truth, meeting visitors, talking about the book, and sharing the day with other local creatives.
It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with readers and be part of such a welcoming community event.
Books, Coffee, & Conversations
March 21, 2025 | Pawleys Island Bakery, Pawleys Island, South Carolina
I had the pleasure of holding a book signing at Pawleys Island Bakery for Connected: Finding My Truth.
It was a wonderful morning of books, coffee, conversation, and connection. I enjoyed meeting readers, signing and personalizing copies, and talking about the story behind my memoir.
I’m grateful to Pawleys Island Bakery for welcoming me and to everyone who stopped by to say hello and share part of the morning with me.
Book Launch — Connected: Finding My Truth
March 2025
The launch of Connected: Finding My Truth was an unforgettable afternoon shared with friends, family, readers, and supporters.
During the event, I spoke about the discovery that changed the course of my life and the decades-long journey that eventually became my memoir.
I asked the audience a question that has stayed at the heart of my story:
What if everything you believed about your life… was a lie?
The afternoon was filled with conversation, connection, and gratitude, and it marked a moment I will always remember in my journey as an author.
Sold-Out Book Launch & Signing
February 19, 2025 | Moveable Feast at Wahoo’s Fish House, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
The launch of Connected: Finding My Truth began with a wonderful milestone—a sold-out Moveable Feast event and book signing.
I had the opportunity to share the story behind the memoir, meet readers, sign books, and talk about the discovery that changed the course of my life and ultimately led me to write Connected.
The support from my publisher, friends, family, and readers made the day especially meaningful and marked an unforgettable beginning to my journey as a published author.