Book Blogger Hop #19 (5/24 -5/30): Attending BEA....or a GREAT Alternative!!

Welcome to the new

Book Blogger Hop,

hosted by Bill @

Ramblings of a Coffec-Addicted Writer!

What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this question:

Have you ever been to BEA,

and if so, do you recommend

attending?

Any good advice for first-time

attendees?

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the

Linky list on Bill's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and

comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's

question when you visit Bill's blog!

My Answer

Oh, I would so love to be able to attend BEA!!   I envy everyone who does go.... I'm sure I'd be ecstatic if I could attend!!  Ah, such bibliophilic bliss....

Although time and money restrictions keep me from attending this book lover's paradise, I am very much able to attend a local book event, which attracts hungry-for-books people from all over the country, and even all over the world. 

I'm referring to Miami Book Fair International, of course!!   Since I live in Miami, Florida (USA), I am definitely able to attend this book event!!  And oh, what a terrific one it is!!   I've gone three years (not in a row) so far, although this event is quite dangerous to my bank account.  One year I spent over $200.00!!  But I was sooooo happy!! 

This event features book presentations, with book signings included, as well as booths in which many independent and small booksellers offer their wonderful wares!  There's more, too!  There are pavilions representing different countries, with food and music, actors that walk around, stopping here and there among the crowd to perform an excerpt from a Shakespeare play, for example, or perhaps Van Helsing's confrontation with a vampire.  (I saw both on two subsequent years!).  There's also a Children's Pavilion, with characters from children's books that also walk around among the crowd. 

This year, Miami Book Fair International celebrates its 30th anniversary, so there are sure to be some surprises!   Oh, I'll definitely be there!!  Because of my two jobs, I am unable to attend during the work week, which is when many of the book presentations are usually held.  However, there's the street fair on Saturday and Sunday, during which more presentations are held!   And of course, one can walk around from booth to booth, and get some really sweet bargains!!

Some very famous authors have  visited the Fair in years past, like the poet Maya Angelou, and novelists Isaac Bashevis Singer, Norman Mailer, Jerzy Kosinsky, and Chaim Potok.  

The Fair is sponsored by The Center for Literature and Theatre at Miami-Dade College, and is held at the college's Wolfson Campus, located in downtown Miami. 

So, for those who are unable to go to New York to attend BEA, I can recommend a great alternative --  our fabulous book fair, right here in sunny Miami, Florida!  (No, I'm not getting a cent for advertising.  This is for the pure love of books!!) Instead of going north, why not head on south?  It might even turn out to be cheaper!

If the prospect of strolling the Wolfson campus ogling at piles and piles of books, and stopping for Colombian arepas, or perhaps French crepes, while you sip your espresso and check the time for the next book presentation where you want to get a book signed, appeals to you, then come on down!

One last thing:  be on the lookout for my report on the Fair this November!  I'll be at the street fair, but the whole thing runs from Nov. 17th to Nov. 24th. 

Informative Links

Miami Book Fair International Home Page

Thirty Years of Miami Book Fair: 1988

2012 Exhibitors

History of the Fair

Book Fair Blog