Meet Karis Mcpherson | Writer, Photographer, Founder of Its Literally LA, LIFTed United & the LIFted Literary Festival

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karis Mcpherson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karis, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Initially, I didn’t set out to start a literary business—I simply wanted to raise awareness and support the overlooked yet incredibly talented writers who inspire me. In 2023, when I began seeking a real-world community rather than an online one, I immersed myself into various literary spaces around L.A. By the end of the year, I attended more than fifty festivals, launched a community book recommendation series, and attended nearly one-hundred and fifty book events. However, it didn’t take long before I noticed a recurring pattern: book events were generally lowly attended and failed to rally the same support as book festivals. Which after engaging with hundreds of readers and industry professionals, didn’t sit right with me.

I must have spent too much time pondering it—because one night, the idea to start a book festival/book events business came to me in a dream. It felt like nature’s way of helping me figure out my next steps. I needed to create a platform that connects, celebrates, and amplifies voices from all backgrounds, but other than attending events, I had no prior experience coordinating a festival of any kind, so I shared the idea with my husband and together we analyzed the numbers and the feasibility of the project. Once we determined that a small, modest festival was achievable, we took the next step and began building a team to bring the vision to life. From then on it was all very organized but that’s probably due to the fact that I’ve run a small business before, so I was aware of the hard work, education and dedication it requires.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
– “LIFTed Literary Festival” takes place during the month February. It spotlights black voices from all over the world.
– “It’s Literally LA” consolidates all of the book/writing related events happening around the city highlighting them in a weekly roundup.
– “LIFTed United” is an international resource-based website connecting writers with jobs in the industry, fellowships, residencies, and grants.

While I’ve been asked the question, “What sets my business apart from others?” before, I’ve come to realize that everyone forms their own perspective of you and your brand based on their own unique experiences. So, I’ll leave that question for them to answer. What I can share is that my work in the literary space stems from a deep love of creative storytelling and a passion for connecting people—writers, readers, and the communities they inhabit.
Sometimes, the job can be stressful, so, being persistently positive is a requirement for staying motivated and for continuing to create spaces that uplift.

Early on I asked myself; How can these types of literary businesses benefit readers and others in my community? I believe these are noble foundations for conducting any business endeavor. Beyond that, integrity, kindness, prioritizing health over wealth, and staying grounded are principles I hold close. These values ensure that the work I do is meaningful, sustainable, and aligned with my personal and professional goals.

I’m proud that I get to spotlight voices often overlooked. Not for the sake of inclusion but because they’re good and deserve every possible platform to be heard, whether through our LIFTed Literary Festival, or by any of the other numerous organizations that I only became aware of recently. Orgs like Beyond Baroque, The Writers Colony, Black Boy Writes, and the Los Angeles Public Library among many, many more. They have all been doing this work long before I arrived. My hope is that LIFTed United will continue to be the bridge, Its Literally LA the passport, and the LIFTed Literary Festival the celebration of community. We will always strive to encourage more readers, organizations and brands to support writers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When a best friend visits, I curate a week of art, food, and books—the three things I love most. Here’s what I’d recommend:

Day 1: Start with brunch at Lulu’s at The Hammer Museum, then explore their free exhibitions. In the evening, head to Dahlia’s Cocktail Lounge for tea or a craft cocktail.
Day 2: Experience the vibrant Hollywood Farmers Market (Sundays) or the Santa Monica Farmers Market (Wednesdays). Grab a classic burger and fries from The Win-Dow—an unbeatable meal under $10.
Day 3: Spend time at The Rep Club in West Adams, a cozy bookstore perfect for browsing or doing a puzzle. End the day with a cookbook dinner at Caldo Verde in Downtown LA, where renowned chefs craft meals inspired by their latest books.
Day 4: Visit CAAM (California African American Museum)—it’s recently reopened and a must-see for its thoughtful exhibitions. Follow up with a dessert stop at Sweet Rose Creamery near Zibby’s or Diesel Bookstore.
Day 5: Explore independent bookstores like Zibby’s in Santa Monica or Diesel in Brentwood, both nestled in neighborhoods with great food and dessert options.
Day 6: Take a beach walk or hike at El Matador State Beach or Griffith Park, depending on their preference for sand or city views. End the day with dinner at a neighborhood gem like Gracias Madre or Bavel.
Day 7: Finish the trip with a rooftop dinner at Perch LA, soaking in the sunset over Downtown Los Angeles.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes! I love that and I definitely agree. My family has been instrumental in my success. My young daughter often accompanies me to photography jobs as my assistant—a role she takes very seriously. My son keeps me up to date on all of the latest apps and tools as well as his favorite books. My husband has been crucial to my writing and the overall success of our businesses. He ensures that I remain grounded emotionally, mentally, and physically. As a writer, it’s easy to get lost in the creative, idealistic worlds we create, but his support helps me maintain balance and perspective in both business and life.

I credit books with helping to save my life, so, I’m happy to connect readers to a few of my favorites. These are a few books that have helped me in business: “Broken Windows, Broken Business” by Michael Levine, “The Elevation Approach” by Tina Wells, and “Rise and Grind” by Daymond John.

These books have helped me in overall health: “You Are the Placebo” by Joe Dispenza, ” The Wim Hof Method” by Wim Hoff, “Journey of Souls” by Michael Newton, and “You Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins.

Finally, these books inspire me to make great literature: “Native Son” by Richard Wright, “Bable” by RF Kuang, “The Beast and The Bethany” by Jack Meggit-Phillips, and “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker

Website: www.itsliterallyla.com, www.liftedunited.com

Instagram: @itsliterallyla, @liftedunited, @liftedliteraryfest

Youtube: liftedunited

Other: Tik Tok: @itsliterallyla & soon launching @itsliterallynyc
Personal Instagram: @authorkaris

Image Credits
LUM Photography (LIFTed United Media) | Karis McPherson