PIF… Past Events

Every PIF is a unique experience that honors the incredible work of Lewis and the Inklings. Guest speakers, including Dr. Scott Key, Sorina Higgins, Dr. David Downing, Dr. Crystal Downing, Dr. Diana Pavlac Glyer, and Pastor Will Vaus, among others, have graced our past events with their expertise. By attending, you will leave with a wealth of knowledge about some of the greatest literary minds of the 20th Century.

PIF 2023

“A Novel Tea: Perspectives from Lewis’s Library”

PIF 2023 was held at one of our favorite meeting places, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Monrovia, Californian an ideal location with it’s famous Lewis Stained glass window.

Our Guest Speakers

Dr. Diana Pavlac Glyer

Diana Pavlac Glyer is an author, speaker, and teacher whose work centers on C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and how their friendship influenced their creative work. Some of her best-known books are The Company They Keep and Bandersnatch. Diana’s presentation for PIF, “Books at the Heart of a Friendship: The Major & the Missionary.” Was based on her recent book, The Major and the Missionary: The Letters of Warren Lewis and Blanche Biggs.

Pastor Will Vaus

Will Vaus is the Senior Pastor of The First Congregational Church of Yarmouth, the oldest congregation on Cape Cod. He is the author of fifteen books, including Mere Theology: A Guide to the Thought of C. S. Lewis and My Father Was a Gangster: The Jim Vaus Story. His presentation was “My Journey with C. S. Lewis and Other Companions.” He also spoke to us about the top ten books that influenced C. S. Lewis.

Caeden Spilman

Caedon Spilman is a Senior Creative Designer at Azusa Pacific University. For three years, he has led the marketing and branding of the Honors College. In 2023, Caedon collaborated with four other APU Honors College students to write “Letters from Jack: Practical Advice from the Pen of C. S. Lewis” and was awarded the Aristotelian Friendship Award by the Honors College that same year. His presentation, “Reading, Writing, and Creating: Advice from the Letters of C. S. Lewis,” was based on that work. 

PIF 2021

With Covid-19 still looming in May of 2021 we held our PIF online via Zoom. Our guest speakers were Dr. David and Dr. Crystal Downing (pictured right).

Dr. Crystal Downing discussed her newest book, “Subversive”. The book is about one of Lewis’s good friends, Dorothy Sayers.

Sayers is an interesting, dynamic personality. She was an author who Lewis’ admired, not only for her sill as a writer, but for her courageous presentation of the Christian Faith. Her writing, at the time was considered controversial  in many Christian circles.

PIF 2019

2019 PIF Keynote Speaker

Pictured above, Sorina Higgins, (far right) was our keynote speaker and her topic was: “The Inklings Among Other Arthurs”.

2019 PIF Awards

Pictured above from right to left: Dr. Diana Glyer of Azusa Pacific University was awarded the first Paul F. Ford Award for excellence in Lewis scholarship and teaching.

Our Director, Dr. James Prothero (center) presented the awards.

Society Secretary, Edie Dougherty, won the first Golden Lion Award for service.