Many years ago, my friend Josepha made a surprise visit to my home. It was my birthday, and she announced that her gift to me was the Miami Book Fair. I had not yet learned to drive and wanted desperately to go because one of my favorite actors, Joseph Cotten, star of the classic movies “The Third Man,” “Citizen Kane” and “Shadow of a Doubt,” had written an autobiography and was doing a discussion and a book signing. Josepha’s gift was a dream come true.
It was my first time at the Miami Book Fair, and on that closing Sunday, the streets were lined with booksellers and rooms were packed with authors and readers. We made our way to the room where Joseph Cotten would appear and took our seats. It was crowded and we were in the back, which I didn’t mind. I was happy to be there and that others were too.
Joseph Cotten – I can’t possibly call him anything but his full name – was dapper and handsome and suave and charming. I don’t recall anything in particular that he said, partly because I was dazzled at being in the presence of a bona fide Hollywood star who worked with Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles, but also because his talk was completely overshadowed by what happened next.
(Mary Damiano)
Actor Joseph Cotten appeared at the 1987 Miami Book Fair for his autobiography.
After the discussion was over, Josepha steered me toward the book signing table. She had bought me the book so Joseph Cotten could sign it. She sat down while I waited in line.
I saw the process. Joseph Cotten’s wife, actress Patricia Medina, sat next to him. She greeted each person, asked their name, and then wrote it on a post-it so he could see the spelling as he autographed the book. When I got to her, I told her my name and added, “Today is my birthday and the book is a gift from my friend, so could you please have Mr. Cotten date it as well?” When the person in front of me moved on, she slipped her husband the post-it and whispered something to him. He looked up at me and said, “Happy Birthday!”
I nearly died. “Thank you so much,” I said. “Meeting you is such a thrill. “‘Shadow of a Doubt’ is my favorite Hitchcock film.” He agreed that it was one of his favorites as well. I had opened the book to the title page and he flipped to the next, where there was a grainy, black and white photo illustration of him. He looked at me and smiled. “I like to sign on the page with my picture,” he said. “Vanity, you know.” He inscribed my book, and it was more than I’d hoped for: For Mary. Happy Birthday. Nov. 15th. From Joseph Cotten.”
(Mary Damiano)
Joseph Cotten’s inscription
I still have the book and it’s one of my most cherished possessions. It’s on my list of things I would save in a fire. But if there ever was a fire, and I couldn’t get to the book in time, I would still have the memory of that day, that gift, that magical moment with Joseph Cotten.
Reading is a solitary experience. You read a book and, if you’re lucky, you become immersed in the singular world of that book. But, no matter how many characters you meet in that world, you’re still on that journey alone.
The Miami Book Fair offers the opportunity to share those worlds with others, to meet people who share your passion for a certain genre or author or topic, and to learn about new ones from strangers, who can, in the moment, become friends. For 40 years, the Miami Book Fair has created a community of readers and writers connecting with each other, and making memories together. The Miami Book Fair is a celebration of books and the people who love them.
More than 400 authors will appear at the Miami Book Fair this month, on panels, at discussions, and book signings. Hundreds of vendors will line the streets of downtown Miami that surround the Wolfson campus selling books, and other publications and collectibles related to books. And while it’s impossible to cover everything, here’s a completely subjective taste of some of the fun and insightful morsels at this year’s Miami Book Fair.
EVENINGS WITH…
Journalist Don Lemon
The Evenings With… series that kicks off the book fair on Sunday, Nov. 17, is filled with powerhouse authors and topics. First up is journalist Don Lemon with his new book, “I Once Was Lost: My Search for God in America.” Also on Sunday,
Amir Tibon, who was under fire along with his young family in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, recounts his harrowing story in his book, “Gates of Gaza: A Story of Betrayal, Survival, and Hope in Israel’s Borderlands.” Other authors appearing through that week are Connie Chung, Alice McDermott, Erik Larsen, Sarah Smarsh, Clarissa Ward, and Amy Tan. Each of the Evenings With… events are $35, and include the author’s book and admission to the weekend street fair.
Author Amir Tibon
PANELS AND DISCUSSIONS
Miami Book Fair features a plethora of panels where literary stars come out to play. Panels group authors together by subject or topic for a lively, moderated discussion. There are dozens of panels, but here are some highlights.
Florida’s Past, Present, and Future: A Poetry Reading with Ariel Francisco, Jen Karetnick, and David Kirby;
Author and Journalist Connie Chung
Ladies Who Live, Love and Laugh: Fiction with Lauren Applebaum, Zibby Owens, and Asha Elias;
Mean Streets: Three Legends in Crime Fiction featuring, Scott Turow, Jonathan Letham, and George Pelecanos;
An American Hero and the March for Civil Rights with David Greenberg and Leonard Pitts, Jr,;
The Rock Bottom Remainders band and their current lineup of authors Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, Sam Barry, Roy Blount Jr., Greg Iles, Mary Karr, Stephen King, Ridley Pearson, Amy Tan, Scott Turow, and Alan Zweibel;
The Birth of American Fashion Nonfiction with Nancy MacDonnell and Julie Satow;
Protecting Florida’s Parks and Ecosystems with Evan P. Bennett, Chris Meindl, and Ian Wilson-Navarro
In the Holocaust’s Shadow with Anne Berest, Keren Blankfeld, and Lauren Grodstein
(/Courtesy Miami Book Fair)
Leonard Pitts Jr. will discuss his new book, “54 Miles: A Novel” at the An American Hero and the March for Civil Rights panel
The Birth of American Fashion with Julie Satow and Nancy MacDonald
There will also be discussions with Stacey Abrams, Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Siedelman, V (formerly known as Eve Ensler), Billy Collins, Gregory McGuire, Patti Smith, Robert Pinsky, Simon Doonan, Marianne Williamson, and many more authors.
MIAMI AUTHORS
Miami has no shortage of fiction and nonfiction authors, and many have newly published books and will appear at the book fair, mostly on panels, including
A.J. Bermudez, “Stories No One Hopes Are About Them;” Cesar Becerra, “Kaimiloa;” Ed Newman, Holly Greenberg Newman, “Warrior Judge: One Man's Journey from the Gridiron to the Gavel;” Fabienne Josaphat, “Kingdom of No Tomorrow;” Gean Moreno, “Carlos Alfonzo: Late Paintings;” Ian Wilson-Navarro, “Dry Tortugas: Stronghold of Nature;” Isabelle Camille, “Sole's Mom: A Transgender Journey of Love, Loss, and Letting Go;” James Grippando, “Goodbye Girl- A Jack Swyteck Novel;” Jen Karetnick, “Inheritance with a High Error Rate;” Lyonel Gerdes, “Miami, Florida: A Sunshine State’s Unauthorized and Unredacted Journey;” Laura Drosdowech, “Magical Miami;” Oscar Fuentes, “Relics of the Heart: Stories of My Family;” Preston Allen, “I Disappeared Them;” Rochelle Weinstein, “What You Do To Me;” Romina Garber, “Castle of the Cursed;” and Stephen G. Bloom, “The Brazil Chronicles.”
Musician Patti Smith will appear at the Miami Book Fair for her new memoir,
THE STREET FAIR
A yearly highlight of the Miami Book Fair is the street fair. The streets around the Wolfson campus are lined with vendors and booksellers from around the country and from various parts of the world. Strolling those streets, searching those booths for the perfect treasure is one of the great joys for book lovers. There are new books and used for sale, sometimes with amazing deals. In addition to the books and book paraphernalia, enjoy the food trucks, with a tasty array of fair food.
MIAMI MUSIC
Last year Miami Book Fair opened with a block party that was so successful, it’s back this year. Funkbox NYC, featuring DJs Tony Touch, Hector Romero, and Tedd Patterson, with a special live performance by vocalist Joi Cardwell. But the music doesn’t stop when the block party is over. Each night at the Wolfson campus, Lost Chapter will bring chill vibes to the fair. Miami DJs will spin the grooves as attendees enjoy, cocktails, mocktails, and food from pop-ups by Smorgasburg Miami. Latin Grammy Award-winning musician and author Lucky Diaz Grammy-winning musician Secret Agent 23 Skidoo will perform at Children’s Alley during the weekend street fair. More singers and bands will appear throughout the weekend, including the Rock Bottom Remainders, the Celia Cruz All-Stars, Fabi World Music Trio, and the French Horn Collective.
IF YOU GO
Miami Book Fair
Nov. 17-24
Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus in Downtown Miami
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(Courtesy Miami Book Fair)
Stacey Abrams will appear at the Miami Book Fair for “Stacey Speaks Out”
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(Courtesy Miami Book Fair)
Julie Satow will discuss her book at The Birth of American Fashion panel.
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Poet Laureate Billy Collins will discuss his latest book,
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(Courtesy Miami Book Fair)
Musician and author Lucky Diaz will perform at Children’s Alley and talk about his book.
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(Courtesy Miami Book Fair)
Singer Joi Cardwell will perform at the opening day block party.