Well I'm 40 deep in the press pool at perhaps the planet's premier book event. The food is good and I have a clear shot to the stage. So I can't complain. ...well actually I can, but I'll do that latter ;-)

 

 

Calvin Reid, from Publishers Weekly was in the press pool with me. 

Kicking off the event Toni Morrison presents Maya Angelou with the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community!

 

Maya Angelou accepts her award with grace. Like a fine wine she really gets better with age (like my friend Cynique).

I'll load video tomorrow (left the laptop at home!@&)

E.L. Doctorow, recipient of the medal for distinguished contribution to American Letters, description of the impact of the internet is worth the price of admission

 

Ms Morrison took a photo with me :-)

 

Actually someone told me this was a "selfie," presumably a photo one takes of themselves -- which it is. 

 

L.A. Times Books ‏@latimesbooks launched the Hash Tag #nobelselfie

Cynthia Kadohata wins award for Young People's literature for THE THING ABOUT LUCK.

Nikky Finney Announces winner for Poetry: Mary Szybist. Her book is INCARNADINE

Her speech was poetic (she was prepared) smart. Video coming

 

I have an interesting conversation with Nikky after the affair.  I told her, as everyone else has how great her acceptance speech was in 2011.  She told me the main thing she wanted to do was not use the words "Thank You" -- that was too easy (see acceptance speech here).  And she wanted to pay homeage to our ancestors.

 

We also recognized how the poets give the best acceptance speeches.

 

Winner of the National Book Award for Nonfiction goes to George Packer. I liked Alan's book, but you can not go wrong in this category :-)

There were 407 submissions for the Fiction category. It was announced many were not very good.

The "business of giving literary awards leaves out books that are equally deserving"

Again, I like Rachel and James is my brother.... the winner is James McBride!

Well James McBride wins the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction!

 

 

It was a good night.  But I'm beat... it has been a busy week.