Monday, June 11, 2007

A Look at the Printers Row Book Fair on June 10, 2007

And here I am (above)! I can't say that my book sales were spectacular, but the Printers Row Book Fair in Chicago's South Loop area was great. It's encouraging to see so many people of all ages who are actually interested in buying or looking at books, talking to real, live authors famous and not-so-famous, people who retain their festive moods after a long day of walking about.

These aren't generally the same people who hung out at the Wells Street Arts Fair right in front of my building this weekend: the young, beer-drinking crowd. Fortunately, I still remember being young, but I was never inspired by the idea of drinking large quantities of beer. I still have faith in the younger generations. There were young people at Printers Row too.

One of the best parts of the fair for me was talking to my fellow IWPA authors at our booth. Many types of books were represented: business manuals, children's books, histories, novels, memoirs (including mine), and on Sunday, a tribute to long-ago IWPA member Jane Addams of Hull House fame (see photo below).

The weather was wonderful this weekend: not too hot, not too cold, just right, and sunny! And if you're one of those people who read only books by famous authors, look around a bit more. Books are really the people behind them, the authors, and they are worth meeting. Explore a book fair in your neighborhood, or participate in one if you're a writer!




Copyright 2007 by Marlys Marshall Styne
Photos by the Author

4 comments:

sue said...

Dear Marlys,

Thank you for sharing your insights and writing. It really means a lot to readers like me, to have a glimpse into your world and to see through your eyes. I hope to get a copy of your book some time, and have you autograph on it.

Thank you so much!! And I love your site.

:)

seniorwriter said...

Thank for you kind comments, Sue. The least expensive place to get my book is Amazon.com. I could send you an autographed copy, but with postage and all, I'd have to charge you $20 to avoid going broke. Of course I'll autograph any copy you come up with if we happen to meet in person.
Marlys

Anonymous said...

Your appreciation of writers is catching. I stopped and congratulated an author who was signing his book at my local bookstore. I must say, though, that not all writers are as articulate as you. Too bad, because one wants to hear what an author has to say, and not just on the published page.

seniorwriter said...

Thanks, but I'm not sure I'm that articulate. I write better than I speak, as a lot of writers do, I think.