Miami Book Fair International

The Miami Book Fair is an annual street fair and literary festival organized by Miami Dade College.[1] The weeklong gathering attracts more than 300 national and international authors every years and features pavilions for comics, children, and young adults, among others.[2]

Miami Book Fair
StatusActive
GenreMulti-genre
VenueMiami Dade College
Location(s)Miami, Florida
CountryUS
Inaugurated1984
Attendance200,000
Organized byMiami Book Fair @ Miami Dade College
Websitewww.miamibookfair.com

History

Miami Book Fair International, originally known as "Books by the Bay," was founded in 1984 by Miami-Dade College President, Eduardo J. Padrón; Books & Books owner, Mitchell Kaplan; Craig Pollock of BookWorks; and other local bookstore owners in cooperation with the Miami-Dade Public Library System.[3][4] The two primary organizers of the inaugural 1984 Book Fair from the Miami-Dade Public Library System were Head of Community Relations Margarita Cano and Wolfsonian campus librarian Juanita Johnson.[5]

In 2020, the book fair added virtual content.

Community Partners and Sponsors

Florida Center for the Literary Arts (FCLA)

The Florida Center for the Literary Arts is the parent organization of the Miami Book Fair International.[6] The literary center was conceived to advance the College's literary traditions.[6] A permanent endowment was established with a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.[6] Full programming began in January 2002.[6]

As a department of Miami Dade College, FCLA generates programs to support authors and writing, journalism, play and screen writing, reading and literacy as well as the Miami Book Fair International.[6] Outreach consist of reading campaigns and book discussions, writing workshops, author presentations, panel discussions, and master classes.[6] The Center collaborates with a number of Florida-based cultural institutions and other partners in order to advance literary initiatives. The Center reflects of Miami Dade College's commitment to inspire anyone attuned to the world of literature.

Events

Festival of Authors

Typically more than 300 authors from around the world take part in the Fair's international Festival of Authors.[7] Writers come from all over the United States, and in previous years, the Fair has welcomed authors from countries like Argentina, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, England, France, Finland, Guatemala, Haiti, Hong Kong, Israel, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Trinidad, and other nations.[7]

Evenings With...Series

The Evenings With… Series features readings by world-renowned writers every evening for six consecutive festival days. In past years, guest authors have included recipients of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Casa de las Americas Prize, Pushcart Prize, O'Henry Award, National Magazine Award, Commonwealth Prize, MacArthur Fellowship and Edgar Award.[7]

Street Fair

The three-day outdoor festival gathers hundreds of booksellers and exhibitors from major publishing houses, small presses, scholarly imprints and foreign publishers.[7] Sellers of used books including signed first editions, original manuscripts and other collectibles also have booths. Millions of books in multiple languages can be found, with book signings and musical entertainment rounding out weekend Fair activity.[7]

Comix Galaxy
Jonathan Case at the Comic Galaxy Program, MBFI 2011

Comic Galaxy is a Fair program offering information on graphic novels and the comics world and celebrates their place in United States literary life, as well as their recent rise in popularity and integration into mainstream literature, culture and even education.[8] A prominent part of Comic Galaxy, The School of Comics, is a day-long program that includes six sessions for teachers, librarians, parents and others who are interested in the format.[9] There also exists special training for creators of the genre.[9]

Children's Alley

Children's Alley tailored for young readers, features storytelling, puppets, theatrical performances, educational games, and hands-on activities.[10] Generation Genius is a program hosting thousands of school-aged children each year.[11] As a part of Generation Genius programming, Miami Book Fair International also offers workshops and presentations to local teachers, librarians, and educators.[11] Programs are provided in cooperation with Miami Art Museum, HistoryMiami, Miami Children's Museum, Miami Science Museum, Early Learning Coalition of Miami Dade/Monroe, and Florida Blue.[11]

Ibero-American Authors
Cuban poet Néstor Díaz de Villegas at Spanish Language author program, MBFI 2011

Ibero-American Authors is Miami Book Fair International's Spanish Language author program that is presented solely in Spanish or Portuguese. More than 50 authors from various Latin American countries are featured during the eight-days of the Fair.[7] Readings take place every evening during the week and all day during the weekend.[12]

Twilight Tastings and the Kitchen

Miami Book Fair International also includes as part of its list of events hors d-oeuvres, a complimentary cocktails and nightly entertainment before the weeknight author presentations.[13] The Kitchen combines cooking demonstrations and author readings by featured cookbook authors and chefs in an intimate, culinary setting as they recreate recipes from their books.[14]

LGBTQ+ Topics

Authors writing on LGBTQ+ topics are represented throughout the festival with titles in fiction, nonfiction, memoir and erotica. Many who appear are Lambda Award winners or finalists.[15]

Miami Writer's Institute

Center for Literature and Theatre faculty, authors, and agents provide workshops pertaining to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, publishing.[16] The Center offers one and three-day workshops, with several taking place in Spanish as well.[11]

Recent-Year Highlights

2014

In 2014, the Miami Book Fair International partnered with the National Book Foundation, to provide programming centered around 2014 National Book Award nominees and winners.[17] A sampling of additional authors appearing at Miami Book Fair International 2014 follows:[18][19]

Eveline Pierre "The Secret to Winning Big"

2013
Reza Aslan at the MBFI 2013
Jennifer Weiner and Erica Jong at the MBFI 2013

To commemorate 500 years since Juan Ponce de León first landed in Florida, the 30th edition of the Fair celebrated the culture and literature of Spain. Spanish writers and artists shared the language, culture and literature of Spain.[20] A sampling of authors who appeared at Miami Book Fair International 2013 follows:[21]

2012

The featured country of 2012's Miami Book Fair International was Paraguay. Paraguayan culture was displayed through film, dance, and fine and folkloric arts.[22]

A sampling of authors who appeared at Miami Book Fair International 2012 follows:[11]

2011
Chuck Palahniuk at the MBFI 2011
Jeffrey Eugenides at the MBFI 2011

Miami Book Fair International 2011 included demonstrations of Chinese culture and art, and discussions of social issues facing contemporary China.[23] An international symposium on Chinese language, culture, and communication was held.[23]

A sampling of authors who participated in Miami Book Fair International 2011 follows:[24]

2010

For the first time this year, the fair dedicated its international space to one country, Mexico, in celebration of the bicentennial of the Central American nation's independence and the centennial of its 1910 revolution.[25] Featured were literary feasts served as fiestas, with author presentations and roundtables on subjects such as Mexican boleros.[25] Ballet performances, art and photography exhibitions, a movie series and theater performances also honored the country of Mexico.[25]

The following is a sampling of authors who participated in Miami Book Fair International 2010 activities:[26]

2009

Environmental issues were in the forefront of Miami Book Fair International 2009, from author presentations to green activities to making ecologically sound choices in Fair logistics.[27] The college used native plants on stages, as well as entrances.[27] These natives were then planted in the community to help offset the carbon emissions of the book fair.[27] Miami Book Fair International and MDC's Earth Ethics Institute procured the plants from local nursery. Bike Valet parking service was available to each cyclist, and numerous rethink, reduce, reuse, and recycle educational programs were promoted.[27]

The following is a sampling of authors who appeared at Miami Book Fair International 2009:[28]

See also

References
  1. "Thousands Attend Miami International Book Fair". WFOR-TV.
  2. "Mitchell Kaplan to Receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2011 National Book Award Ceremony". National Book Foundation. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  3. Kelleher, Terry (November 3, 1985). "Big Names Highlight Book Fair". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  4. "Mitchell Kaplan to Receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2011 National Book Award Ceremony". National Book Foundation. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  5. Padron, Eduardo (November 8, 2009). "The birth of the Book Fair". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. p. 8MB.
  6. "Florida Center for the Literary Arts (FCLA) History". The Center @ MDC. Miami Dade College. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  7. "A Guide to Miami Book Fair International". WFOR-TV. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  8. "Fanboys and Families: Miami Book Fair Debuts Comix Galaxy". Publishers Weekly Comics Week. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  9. "Miami Book Fair International's Comix Galaxy to Celebrate Graphic Novels and Comic Books". Caribbean Today. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  10. "Miami Book Fair International Fosters Generation Genius – Literacy and Learning for Children and Teens". MDC in the News. Miami Dade College. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  11. "Miami Book Fair International Fairgoer's Guide 2012" (PDF). Miami Book Fair International. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  12. "Miami Book Fair International". Pulse Culture. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  13. "Twilight Tastings at Miami Book Fair". Between the Covers: Inside Books with Connie Ogle. Miami Herald. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  14. "Miami Book Fair International Presents Exciting New Culinary Program, The Kitchen". MDC in the News. Miami Dade College. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  15. "LGBT Authors and Books at the Miami Book Fair". South Florida Gay News. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  16. "Writers Institute at Miami Dade". Off the Page. Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  17. Italie, Hillel (October 15, 2014). "National Book Award Finalists Announced". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  18. Bermudez, Vivian (October 20, 2014). "Book Fair International Returns to Downtown Miami". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  19. "2014 Fairgoer's Guide" (PDF). Miami Book Fair International. Miami-Dade College. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  20. "Miami Book Fair International 2013 selects Spain as it's [sic] featured country". ARS News. America Reads Spanish. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  21. "Miami Book Fair International". Retrieved October 9, 2013 – via Facebook.
  22. "Miami Book Fair International". The Promenade Newspaper. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  23. "Focus on China". Miami Book Fair International. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  24. "Miami Book Fair International Fairgoer's Guide 2011" (PDF). Author Appearance Schedule. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  25. "Mexico Center Stage with 14 Authors at Miami Book Fair International". Banders News Entertainment & Books. Banderas News. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  26. "Miami Book Fair International Fairgoer's Guide 2010" (PDF). Author Appearance Schedule. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  27. "2009 Miami Book Fair International Staying Green!". News and Events. Miami Dade College. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  28. "Miami Book Fair International Fairgoer's Guide 2009" (PDF). Author Appearance Schedule. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
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