Fun in the Sun: Graphic Novels at the Miami Book Fair
The Miami Book Fair takes place November 14–21. The annual event, now in its 26th year, will feature more than 350 authors from all walks of literary life. There’s also a special Children’s Alley for kids' books. For the third year, The Comix Galaxy, a celebration of comics and graphic novels will be a part of the show.
The two biggest comics-related parts of the fair will be The School of Comics (expanded to two days this year) and Kids’ Comic-Con. The School of Comics on Thursday, November 18th provides teachers and librarians with a day of thought-provoking educational sessions on how to expand their academic curricula with graphic novels; this programming will be moderated by GraphicNovelReporter.com's Carol Fitzgerald. Friday's School of Comic programming will spotlight creators discussing what does it take to be a creator and how creators work.
Kids’ Comic-Con began in New York City as the brainchild of Alex Simmons. While it continues to call New York home, Kids’ Comic-Con is also a popular destination in Miami, where where for a second year at the Fair they will provide activities to bring young people and their parents together with comic book and graphic-novel artists and educators. They will offer drawing workshops, portfolio reviews, and more.
As details become more concrete, we’ll update this page. But for now, here’s the latest info on who will be appearing this year.
Featured Speakers for Thursday
Prof William Ayers, To Teach: The Journey, in Comics
Chris Schweizer, Crogan’s Vengeance and Crogan’s March
Professor James “Bucky” Carter, NCTE board member and author
Professor Adam Johnson, Stanford University’s Graphic Novel Project
Featured Programs and Speakers for Friday
Putting It On Paper: Where Do You Start?
Mark McKenna, Banana Tail
David Steinberg, Daniel Boom AKA Loud Boy
Girls and Women in Comics
Raina Telgemeier, Smile: A Dental Drama
Amy Ignatow, The Popularity Papers
Tracy White, How I Made It to 18
Comics Journalism
Dan Archer, The Honduran Coup: A Graphic History
Saturday and Sunday programs
A Life in Comics: What We’ve Learned Along the Way
Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Connors, Sid Jacobsen, Alex Simmons, Mark McKenna
