Our third year to participate, Larry and I just got back from the 4th Annual Dallas International Book Fair. This is a book fair with flair for it truly is international and that’s one of the things we love about it. An integral part to all of this is the gracious hospitality and warm heart of the wonderful and remarkable Miriam Rodriguez, Director of the large Dallas Public Library System, and her fabulous staff that pull it all together.
Again this year they brought in many Latin American authors, poets and songwriters, in addition to authors from across the US with a variety of speakers and panelists including Max Rodriguez, author, publisher of The Black Book Review and founder of the Harlem Book Festival.The book fair was full of children and adults literary activities and children’s entertainment. In addition, there were thoughtfully arranged author receptions which led us to visit Dallas’ Latino Cultural Center and International Museum of Cultures which housed a touring exhibit, ‘The Scrolls Project’ featuring antique scrolls of the Jewish Old Testament written in Hebrew. Having worked as a professional calligrapher for many years, I was mesmerized by this beautiful calligraphy exhibit which exemplifies the epitome of clarity and fluidity in artistry and craftsmanship.
Friday’s ‘School Day’ at the book fair was a joy where I, as always, loved performing my book, ‘The Ghost of Hampton Court’ and interacting with the audience. The Dallas ISD third and fourth graders were fascinated, asking things like, “Is the ghost real?” and “Why was he (King Henry) so mean?” Also, the students and teachers of Harold Wendell Long Senior Middle School were a great, enthusiastic and inquisitive audience asking about the story and writing and publishing.
Speaking on Saturday’s author panel with other children’s authors at the ‘Literary Tastes Breakfast’ gave me an opportunity to share my arts and literary advocacy and to mention my wonderful grandmother, Mama Roxie’s saying, “You have to raise a child to meet the world.” Speaking on the panel helped spur interest in our book, ‘The Ghost of Hampton Court’ and the soon- to-be-released accompanying audio book which Larry and I had such pleasure producing and performing in.
Many from the breakfast later visited our vendor booth at the fair where we signed our book and enjoyed a day full of mixing and mingling with so many interesting people from the Dallas area.
For dinner that evening we met publisher, Pam Fochtman of Lorito Books & fellow author and storyteller, Toni Simmons at our hotel, the lovely and haunted Magnolia Hotel (see my next entry) and journeyed out into downtown Dallas for a fun and relaxing meal. What better way to spend all day than laughing and talking about writing, art, books, and life!