Book Events: Fairs, Festivals, and Conferences (2019 and 2020)
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To Add an Event to Our List: share the event’s information on our African-American Literature Discussion Forum. We also select events from this list to share with readers of our monthly eNewsletter. Here is printable list of events. With a single line of code, you may add this events listing to your website or blog.
17 Events Found in New York
Brooklyn Book Festival
Brooklyn Borough Hall and Vicinity, Brooklyn, New York
Hosted by: Brooklyn Book Festival, Inc. and Brooklyn Book Festival Literary Council
Date: Sunday, September 22, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Website: Brooklyn Book Festival
Phone: 570-362-6657
Email: lkoch@brooklynbookfestival.org
Description:
The Brooklyn Book Festival is the largest free literary event in New York City, presenting an array of national and international literary stars and emerging authors. One of America’s premier book festivals, this hip, smart diverse gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages to enjoy authors and the festival’s lively literary marketplace.
Learn more about Brooklyn Book Festival on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
New York Comic Con
Javitz Center, New York, New York
Hosted by: ReedPOP Events
Dates: Thursday, October 3, 2019 to Sunday, October 6, 2019
Website: New York Comic Con
Email: Inquiry@NYComicCon.com
Description:
“…if you’re a speculative fiction author (horror, fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy, sci-fi, etc.) you should definitely go”—Cerece Rennie Murphy
New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. Our Show Floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television.
Learn more about New York Comic Con on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
African American Literary Awards Show
Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture, New York, New York
Hosted by: Yvette Hayward
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2019
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Website: African American Literary Awards Show
Email: yvette@literaryawardshow.com
Price: $55
Description:
6:30pm VIP Reception
7:30pm Awards show begins
$55 – General admission
$75 – VIP reception
The African American Literary Award show is the brainchild of Yvette Hayward. She came up with the idea in 1996 and was finally able to bring it to fruition in September 2004.
Learn more about African American Literary Awards Show on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
Mosaic Literary Conference
The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, New York
Hosted by: The Literary Freedom Project
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019
Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Website: Mosaic Literary Conference
Phone: 347-454-2161
Email: ron@literaryfreedom.org
Description:
The Mosaic Literary Conference provides a platform for literature-based creative thinking and knowledge sharing. Each year we invite educators, community and arts organizations, as well as the public to participate in a variety of workshops. This conference was founded by Ron Kavanaugh
Learn more about Mosaic Literary Conference on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
National Book Awards
Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York
Hosted by: National Book Foundation
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Time:
Website: National Book Awards
Description:
Attendance by invitation only.
All of the authors of African descent who have won a National Book Award.
Watch vidoes the 67th annual National Book Awards (2016), hosted by Larry Wilmore
Learn more about National Book Awards on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
New York Antiquarian Book Fair
Park Avenue Armory, New York, New York
Hosted by: Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America & International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (sanctioned by)
Date: March 2020 – Dates to be Announced
Website: New York Antiquarian Book Fair
Phone: 212.777.5218
Email: info@sanfordsmith.com
Description:
2017 was the 57th year this event was held.
This book fair is officially sanctioned by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. The consumer can rely upon the experience and professionalism of participating dealers and the authenticity of the items available for purchase. All books, manuscripts and related material have been carefully examined for completeness and bibliographic accuracy.
Learn more about New York Antiquarian Book Fair on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium
Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, New York
Hosted by: Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College
Date: March 2020 – Dates to be Announced
Website: National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium
Email: writers@mec.cuny.edu
Description:
“Playwrights and Screenwriters at the Crossroads” & A Tribute to Ntozake Shange
Panel Discussions, Town Hall Meeting, and Dramatic Readings.
Speakers include Ifa Bayeza, Keith Josef Adkins, Amina Henry, Ladee Hubbard, and Aurin Squire among others.
For more information and to register, visit www.centerforblackliterature.org
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National Black Writers Conference
Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, New York
Hosted by: Center for Black Literature
Dates: Thursday, March 26, 2020 to Sunday, March 29, 2020
Website: National Black Writers Conference
Phone: 718-804-8883
Email: writers@mec.cuny.edu
Description:
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The National Black Writers Conference is be held, every two years at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York. The conference features panels, author readings, roundtable discussions, and educational seminars.
Learn more about National Black Writers Conference on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature
Various Venues, New York, New York
Hosted by: PEN America
Date: May 2020 – Dates to be Announced
Website: PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature
Email: festival@pen.org
Description:
PEN World Voices is America’s only international literary festival, attracting the best-known writers from across the globe. Since its founding, they have presented more than 1,500 writers and artists from 118 countries speaking 56 languages in venues across New York City in a weeklong series of literary events with a human rights focus. The Festival was founded by Salman Rushdie, Esther Allen, and Michael Roberts in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, with the aim of broadening channels of dialogue between the United States and the world—a mission that, today, has never been more relevant.
Learn more about PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
The Bronx Book Fair
Bronx Library Center/New York Public Library, Bronx, New York
Hosted by: Lorraine Currelley, Executive Director
Date: May 2020 – Dates to be Announced
Website: The Bronx Book Fair
Email: bronxbookfair@gmail.com
Description:
The Bronx Book Fair is dedicated to engaging and growing the community of poets and writers in the Bronx and to connecting those literary artists to readers and booklovers of all ages. Through readings, workshops, and presentations our goal is to engage the community with a variety of literature and programs that will broaden access to Bronx literary artists, increase library usage, and encourage a love of books and reading.
Learn more about The Bronx Book Fair on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
Black Pack Party
The Frying Pan, Pier 66 at Hudson River Park, 207 12th Ave, New York, New York
Hosted by: AALBC.com, Linda Duggins, and One Book One Bronx
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Email: troy@aalbc.com
Description:
Rain or Shine! The venue is outdoors, on the water, but can be completely enclosed if necessary.
The Black Pack Party is an annual gathering of publishing industry professionals which is held during Book Expo America.
Check out photos from the previous gatherings and a retrospective.
Learn more about Black Pack Party on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
Book Expo America
Javitz Center, New York, New York
Hosted by: Association of American Publishers, Association of Authors Representatives, Inc., and the American Booksellers Association
Dates: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 to Friday, May 29, 2020
Website: Book Expo America
Phone: 1-800-840-5614
Email: inquiry@bookexpoamerica.com
Description:
BookExpo America (BEA) is the leading book and author event for the North American publishing industry. It’s the best place to discover new titles and authors, conduct business and network, and learn the latest trends.
BEA is the largest gathering of booksellers, librarians, retailers, publishers, rights, licensing, and book industry professionals in North America.
Learn more about Book Expo America on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
BookCon
Javitz Center, New York, New York
Hosted by: ReedPOP Events
Dates: Saturday, May 30, 2020 to Sunday, May 31, 2020
Website: BookCon
Phone: 800.777.8774
Email: inquiry@TheBookCon.com
Description:
BookCon is the event where storytelling and pop culture collide. Consumers and brands will experience the origin of the story in all its forms by interacting with the authors, publishers, celebrities and creators of content that influence everything we read, hear and see. BookCon is an immersive experience that features interactive, forward thinking content including Q&As with the hottest talent, autographing sessions, storytelling podcasts, special screenings, literary quiz shows and so much more. BookCon is the ultimate celebration of books, where your favorite stories come to life.
Learn more about BookCon on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
Schomburg Center Literary Festival
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York, New York
Hosted by: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Date: June 2020 – Dates to be Announced
Website: Schomburg Center Literary Festival
Phone: 2123481532
Email: Schomburglitfest@nypl.org
Description:
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of global black experiences. Our new Schomburg Center Literary Festival expands our long tradition of championing authors of African descent from across the globe and publications that celebrate Black history and culture. The day-long book festival will feature exhibitors, readings, panel discussions, workshops and more for all ages, from prose to poetry, comic books to young adult novels, fiction and non-fiction.
Learn more about Schomburg Center Literary Festival on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
The Bronx Book Festival
Fordham Plaza in the Bronx, Bronx, New York
Hosted by: Saraciea Fennell, Founder
Date: June 2020 – Dates to be Announced
Website: The Bronx Book Festival
Email: BronxBookFest@gmail.com
Description:
The first traditional book festival geared toward all ages to hit the Bronx! #TheBronxisReading
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Harlem Book Fair
163 West 125th Street (New Location)
Corner of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard
, Harlem, New York
Hosted by: Max Rodriguez
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2020
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Website: Harlem Book Fair
Email: hbf@qbr.com
Description:
The Harlem Book Fair is the United State’s largest African-American book fair and the nation’s flagship Black literary event. Held annually in Harlem, NY, the Harlem Book Fair features exhibition booths, panel discussions, book sales, and workshops.
The Phillis Wheatley Book Awards are presented in conjunction with this event.
Learn more about Harlem Book Fair on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
Festival of Women Writers
Hobart, New York,
Date: September 2020 – Dates to be Announced
Website: Festival of Women Writers
Phone: 607-538-9222
Email: hobartfestivalofwomenwriters@gmail.com
Description:
The Festival of Women Writers has become a highly anticipated event, unique among cultural happenings in the Catskill Region, especially in Delaware County. The Festival will celebrate its fourth year in the Hobart Book Village, “the reading capital of New York State.” Since its inception, the Festival has created space for established and emerging women writers to share their insights and skills through a variety of writing activities and public readings with audiences throughout Delaware County, the state of New York, and beyond.
Poet Cheryl Clarke, novelist Breena Clarke, and Barbara Balliet are festival’s cofounders.
Learn more about Festival of Women Writers on AALBC.com.(Back to Top)
Check out our coverage of past events.