Inside the ‘Anti-Woke’ Literary Scene Growing in L.A.

Matt Pegas neatly arranges stacks of books atop the red tablecloth at the reception table in the front yard of the house party. Surrounding the books is a tableau of candles, rose petals, a tarot deck, and packets of wildflower seeds, which guests are encouraged to take home and plant. Midnight will mark the spring equinox, and the pagan decor is meant to celebrate a rebirth, because, they say, after years of being tacitly driven underground, the “anti-woke” arts scene in Los Angeles is ready to blossom in full view.