10 Authors Not to Miss at the Miami Book Fair

We live in Florida, where books are banned because they tell stories or include ideas that could threaten our state leaders' positions of power. These politicians want to keep these ideas out of the minds of young people so that they don't see what the world has to offer. Banned books include the life-affirming children's picture book Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, which tells about the Black American experience.

Mitchell Kaplan, founder of Books & Books and the Miami Book Fair, has led the charge against book banning. He knows how important it is for literature to include diverse voices. He told New Times last October, "If you're a kid who's a little confused or not sure of your identity, books are a way to open up your world."

The Miami Book Fair is a multiverse of new worlds that will swing open doors for South Florida readers. It kicks off Sunday, November 17, at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus with a cornucopia of immensely talented writers, chats, panels, a street fair, and evening events. New Times has sifted through the incredibly long list of gifted scribes and compiled a list of the ten must-see authors who embody that same inclusive, fighting spirit at the Miami Book Fair in 2024.

By the way, New Times editor Tom Finkel will moderate a panel discussion with Jim DeFede, Billy Corben, and Alfred Spellman about The Chronicles of Willy & Sal, a collection of DeFede's reportage about the infamous Cocaine Cowboys from DeFede's days as a reporter and columnist at New Times in the 1990s. It takes place on Sunday, November 17, at 3 p.m. at Chapman Conference Center.

Amy Tan

The Joy Luck Club didn't just make your mother weep; it also changed the game for Asian-American authors and actors. Author Amy Tan orchestrated that game change. She's a fascinating woman — I highly recommend seeing the documentary Unintended Memoir. After the 2016 election, she was, as we all were, searching for peace, and turned to nature right outside her backdoor. She tracked her journey into birding in The Backyard Bird Chronicles with daily entries, musings, and sketches. She'll discuss her latest masterpiece in conversation with writer, nature photographer, and conservationist Kirsten Hines. 6 p.m. Friday, November 22, at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus. Tickets cost $35.

Connie Chung

With Connie: A Memoir, Connie Chung offers her stories about an exceptional career and run-ins with sexism in her personal life and the newsroom. What a career she's had! Chung went from covering Watergate to being the first Asian-American TV anchor, but you may know her best from CBS Evening News. And just because why not, she's also famously married to Maury Povich and they have a charming rapport. 8 p.m. Thursday, November 21, at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus. Tickets cost $35.

Don Lemon

Don Lemon was a longtime familiar face on CNN and someone you maybe spent a few New Year's Eve with — but he was on TV, and you were on your couch. Spending those holidays together made him feel like you knew him pretty well. Now, his book I Once Was Lost will help you feel like you know him even better. In it, he explores the role God plays in our everyday lives and what it was like to grow up gay among Christian fundamentalists. And the juicy bits? He gets into his fall from reporter grace when he was unceremoniously kicked off the air because of comments about Nikki Haley. 4 p.m. Sunday, November 17, at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus. Tickets cost $35.

Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer

Earlier this month, Florida missed the chance to secure abortion rights when Amendment 4 failed to garner 60 percent of voters' support. Maybe those who voted against access to this basic healthcare should attend "A Woman's Right to Choose." Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer wrote the history of how the religious right orchestrated the end of guaranteed abortion rights in this country in The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America. They'll be in conversation with activist Renee Bracey Sherman and journalist Regina Mahone, authors of Liberating Abortion: Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve, and Amanda Becker, author of You Must Stand Up; The Fight for Abortion Rights in Post-Dobbs America. 4 p.m. Sunday, November 24, at Bldg. 8, Room 8202.

Kathleen Hanna

Not everyone knows about the 1990s riot grrrl movement, which is very unfortunate because right now, women need to embody that empowering energy to rise up for their rights. So, bring all of your friends to see rock royalty, activist, and Bikini Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hanna in conversation with author Ada Calhoun about her new book, Rebel Girl. The memoir tells of Hanna's early days in the punk scene and her experience with Lyme disease. Consider it a guide to being angry and joyful while changing the world. 12:30 p.m. Saturday, November 23, the Pavilion, NE Second Avene at NE Third Street.

Kwame Alexander

If you have a kid into graphic novels, you already know that Kwame Alexander elevates the genre. Alexander got his start as a writer learning under the tutelage of the great poet Nikki Giovanni. He's now the bestselling author of 40 books, and his illustrated poem Undefeated won a Newberry Honor. He's touting two new projects at the fair: This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets and a nontraditional memoir with poetry, letters, recipes, and more, Why Fathers Cry at Night. 2:30 p.m. Saturday, November 23, at Bldg. 8, Room 8303.

Patti Smith

Book lovers in South Florida have likely already seen poet, musician, and author Patti Smith in conversation at the Miami Book Fair. This time, the book fair veteran will be in town promoting a year of photographs with A Book of Days. The images are new and old and offer better insight into the life and mind of this artistic genius. Smith is such an integral part of the event that this year, she's being honored alongside community leaders and other authors at "An Evening to Remember the Next Page" event. 6 p.m. Saturday, November 23, at Chapman Conference Center, Bldg. 3, Room 3210.

Rock Bottom Remainders

You never want to miss the Rock Bottom Remainders — a literal band of literary types. This time, the revolving lineup includes Stephen King, Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, Sam Barry, Roy Blount Jr., Greg Iles, Mary Karr, Ridley Pearson, Amy Tan, Scott Turow, and Alan Zweibel. At the "32 Years of the Rock Bottom Remainders" panel, the supergroup will share about their books and life on the road with moderator and author Lisa Napoli. But the real treat is catching these musical authors performing live at the Off the Shelf event alongside beloved local acts. 2:30 p.m. Saturday, November 23, at Chapman Conference Center, Bldg. 3, Room 3210.

Simon Doonan

You know Simon Doonan, the flamboyant, stylish former creative director of Barneys. He's been a regular face over the years on shows like America's Next Top Model, Making It, Full Frontal Fashion, and Gossip Girl. His newest writing endeavor is The Camp 100: Glorious Flamboyance, From Louis XIV to Lil Nas X. You can revel in the kitsch of recognizable figures who bring humor and personality to the fore. Fun fact: Doonan's partner is designer Jonathan Adler. 1:30 p.m. Sunday, November 24, Bldg. 3, Room 3209.

Stacey Abrams

One of the best American voices of hope, resistance, and progress is that of Stacey Abrams. The former Georgia gubernatorial candidate and current state rep will discuss her children's book, Stacey Speaks Up, with Meg Medina. This picture book tells the story of compassionate young Stacey, who takes action when she finds out her classmates can't afford lunch. Gotta love a book that you can use to teach your children the power of community. 11 a.m. Saturday, November 23, at Chapman Conference Center, Bldg. 3, Room 3210.