By Ivan Pereira
After families in southeast Queens fill up their stomachs over a Thanksgiving meal this year, a promoter from the area says she hopes they will fill their minds with material from new books.
Carol Rogers will be hosting a major book fair at the Harvest Room at 90-40 160th St. in Jamaica Nov. 27 that will not only feature dozens of books, but also authors who will talk about their work in the publishing industry. The event has been a tradition for the last six years and has been popular among bookworms in the neighborhood because it is right on their doorstep, according to Rogers.
“When I started, there was no one doing the Queens book fair at all. I went to the Harlem book fair. I wanted to just do something like that in Queens,” she said.
The selection ranges from dramas, plays and puzzle books to poetry, according to Rogers. In addition to the literature, several authors will be on hand to talk to customers about their works.
Rogers said most people need help getting their written works off the computer screen and on to a published book and that the authors would provide advice on how to be more successful.
“Usually, they come out to sell their product, but they have networking [and] they have panels,” Rogers said. “I like the authors to come out and talk about their books.”
As of this week, two of the 10 authors who are scheduled to appear are from Queens while the rest are from out of state. Rogers said she hopes to get several more writers in the next two weeks.
Aside from the one-on-one opportunities to meet the authors, the fair is also holding a seminar with other professionals in the literature business. Representatives from small publishing firms will give advice to participants on how they can take their writing to the masses.
“This time I want to ask them how is it in the self-publishing. How is it publishing their book?” Rogers asked.
The keynote speakers are Kevin Belvin and his wife Tiffany, who are authors and self-publishers from southeast Queens. She said their experience starting their own publishing firm would help to inspire both authors and entrepreneurs in the community.
For more information on the book fair, which lasts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., call 718-591-4525.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
