Even a power outage that shut down subway service couldn't put a damper on the fourth annual Harlem Book Fair, which, despite the lack of uptown train service, still drew a large crowd. Max Rodriguez, founder of the Harlem Book Fair and publisher of QBR the Black Book Review, told PW that this year's fair "did very well," with more than 17,000 people attending the event. "Attendance exceeded last year's," Rodriguez added.
This year's fair also had several firsts. Poet Sonia Sanchez, novelist and essayist Albert Murray and novelist John Williams were given QBR's Phyllis Wheatley Literary Award. The event was taped by C-SPAN, the first time, said Rodriguez, a black literary award presentation has been nationally televised.
Rodriguez also said that this year's fair was the first to attract a panel of high-powered publishing executives—including HarperCollins's Jane Friedman, Random House's Steven Rubin, and Warner Book's Larry Kirshbaum—to discuss publishing economics as well as address the importance of black book consumers. The panel also featured Dan Simon of Seven Stories, Wade Hudson of Just Us Books and Linda Gill of BET Books.
There were also panels on books and film, black erotica and independent publishing.
Rodriguez said the fair had 143 exhibitors, 53 of which were publishers. "The fair has always been a great platform for writers," said Rodriguez, "but this year's was an even greater platform for publishers."
