Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus |
November 16-23 |
The Miami Book Fair International has grown from modest beginnings in 1984 to become one of the largest book fairs in the United States. The Miami Book Fair International opens on Sunday, November 16 and will last for eight straight days, bringing over 200,000 people to the city. The street fair, which will boast over 300 vendors and aims to sell over a million books, runs from Friday, November 21 to Sunday, November 23. The Miami Book Fair International is organized and sponsored by Miami-Dade College (Wolfson Campus, 300 NE Second Ave., Miami), which also hosts the week of events.
During the Book Fair, over 450 different authors will come to Miami to promote their most recent books. The authors represented at this year’s Book Fair range from literary legends, to politicians and lawyers, to actors, producers and journalists. Here are some people I recommend you see at this year’s Book Fair:
Along with David Boies, Ted Olson argued that California’s Proposition 8 was unconstitutional in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, eventually causing the Court to declare key sections of the Defense of Marriage Act null and void. They are also the authors of the book Redeeming the Dream: The Case for Marriage Equality. Olson will be present to talk about the book on Saturday, November 16 at 3 p.m. at the Chapman Conference Center (Building 3, 2nd Floor, Room 3210). Admission is free but an RSVP is required, visit miamibookfair.com.
Anne Rice‘s debut novel, Interview with the Vampire, inspired her, nearly 40 years later, to write Prince Lestat: The Vampire Chronicles. On Monday, November 17 at 8 p.m. in the Chapman Conference Center, Rice will meet her fans, who are asked to channel their Inner Lestat for a costume contest. The winner will get a gift certificate and a photo-op with Rice. Tickets for this event cost $15 and can be purchased online at miamibookfair.com.
You may know Jason Segel from the TV sitcom How I Met Your Mother. His first book is geared toward children. The book, called Nightmares!,is about a boy and a group of his friends who must face their fears if they want to save the day. Meet Jason Segel on Saturday, November 22, at 10 a.m. in the Auditorium (Building 1, 2nd Floor, Room 1261).
John Waters is well-known for producing such cult film favorites as Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, Serial Mom and Cecil B. DeMented. Not too long ago, he hitched rides from his hometown of Baltimore to San Francisco, a journey he chronicled in the book Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes His Way Across America. He appears at the Book Fair on Saturday, November 22 at 4 p.m. in the Chapman Conference Center. Admission is free but an RSVP is required, visit miamibookfair.com.
Cristina Saralegui isthe Queen of Latin Media. She was the first female editor of Cosmopolitan en Español, and she hosted her own talk show, Cristina, on Univision for 21 years. Her new book, Rise Up & Shine!: My Secrets for Success in Career, Relationships, and Life, chronicles her life and career and teaches readers how they can be their best selves. She will speak on Saturday, November 22 at 6 p.m. in Room 8503 (Building 8, 5th Floor).
Sheila E.‘s whirlwindcareer brought her under the wings of Carlos Santana and Prince, and had her touring the world with Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, and Ringo Starr. In her autobiography, The Beat of My Own Drum, she talks about the influence music has had on her life. She will speak on Saturday, November 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Batten Hall (Building 2, 1st Floor, Room 2106).
The man who brought you Top Chef and The Real Housewives is also bringing you a memoir. In The Andy Cohen Diaries: A Deep Look at a Shallow Year, Andy Cohen takes the reader through a year in his life, narrating the events and spilling the tea about every backstage detail! He tells all on Sunday, November 23 at 10 a.m. in the Auditorium.
Sean Strub is the executive director of the Sero Project, the founder of POZ Magazine, and the author of Body Counts: A Memoir of Politics, Sex, AIDS and Survival. Stephen Snyder-Hill, a twenty-year Army veteran, wrote Soldier of Change: From the Closet to the Forefront of the Gay Rights Movement. They will both be speaking on Sunday, November 23 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 8301 (Building 8, 3rd Floor).
For more information, visit miamibookfair.com.
