Jamaican Donna Hemans for the Miami Book Fair

Caribbean culture will meet literary excellence as avid readers of all ages converge in Miami for the 41st Miami Book Fair, one of the largest literary festivals in the United States. For eight days, 17.-24. November, downtown Miami will be transformed into a literary wonderland with the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus hosting critically acclaimed authors from the Caribbean and around the world.

Sponsored by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), the Miami Book Fair boasts an impressive lineup of over 500 authors, including established literary giants, celebrity authors, and emerging talent. Among these are several famous Caribbean voices as the event showcases the rich diversity of Caribbean literature alongside works from around the world. Panel discussions and readings will delve into themes that resonate with life in the Caribbean islands, diaspora experiences and the vibrant cultures that shape the region.

A spokesperson for the GMCVB said the Miami Book Fair is one of the many events that exemplify Greater Miami’s role as a cultural bridge between the Caribbean and the Americas. “This premier literary event not only showcases our destination’s rich multicultural fabric, but also reinforces Miami’s position as a global arts and culture center where Caribbean heritage is celebrated year-round,” the spokesperson said.

Among the Caribbean authors participating in the book fair in Miami this year is the Jamaican-born Donna Hemans, author of the novel The House of Plain Truth. Hemans will take part in the panel entitled ‘Reckonings & Returning Home’ on Sunday 24 November.

“The Miami Book Fair has such a wonderfully diverse selection of authors that create the impression of traveling through many cultures and countries at once,” Hemans said of the upcoming event. “Although the festival is uniquely Miami, the Caribbean stories and the rhythm and energy confirm that the Caribbean diaspora is an essential part of Miami’s makeup.”

In addition to author events, the Miami Book Fair’s varied schedule includes workshops and masterclasses, which provide invaluable opportunities for aspiring authors to hone their craft under the guidance of industry professionals. Families will delight in Children’s Alley, where young readers can meet beloved characters, participate in interactive storytimes, and ignite a lifelong love of reading. A three-day street fair will feature a cluster of colorful tents housing hundreds of booksellers, publishers and literary organizations where attendees can discover rare first editions, meet independent publishers and dig for hidden literary gems.