MIAMI, July 12, 2010 –The 27th edition of the nation’s finest and largest literary gathering, Miami Book Fair International, presented by the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College (MDC), will take place November 14-21, 2010, at the college’s Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami and will again feature the popular Comix Galaxy.
 
The Fair has been hailed by The New York Times as the model for all book festivals.  Each year, it continues to raise the bar of excellence by offering a fine roster of prize winning authors, Ibero-American literary greats, activities that get kids excited about reading, and more.  The always-popular Street Fair starts Friday, November 19 and continues through Sunday, November 21 with more than 200 exhibitors from around the country selling books in a festive atmosphere.
 
Comics and graphic novels have become an integral part of the Miami Book Fair. For three years, the Comix Galaxy program has presented the best comic book and graphic novel artists and professionals in the industry, including David Small (Stitches: A Memoir), Carol Tyler (You’ll Never Know: A Good and Decent Man), James Sturm (James Sturm’s America: God, Gold and Golems), Alex Simmons (Archie Comics), Josh Neufeld (A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge), Charles Kochman (Abrams ComicArts), Melvin Van Peebles (Confessions of an Ex-doofus-itchyfooted Mutha), and Denis Kitchen (The Art of Harvey Kurtzman).
 
Graphic novels have also found a place in high school and middle school classrooms. Comix Galaxy invites teachers and librarians to participate in the School of Comics – a day of thought-provoking educational sessions on how to expand the academic curricula with graphic novels. Last year’s sessions were led by top-notch experts, including John Shableski, James Sturm, Kate Monnin, Dan Goldman, Carol Tyler, Alex Simmons, and Harry Bliss.
 
Another favorite at Comix Galaxy is Kids’ Comic Con, all the way from New York City!  Kids Comic Con activities bring young people and their parents together with comic book and graphic-novel artists and educators. From drawing workshops to portfolio reviews, Kids Comic Con is the place for every kid who dreams of creating the next Superman or Wimpy Kid. Kids Comic Con artists and educators have included Dawud Anyabwile (Brotherman), Ed Briant (Don’t Look Now), Jerry Craft (Mamas Boyz), Jerzy Drozd (The Front), Dan Mishkin (Sugary Serials), Anne Sibley O’Brien (The Legend of Hong Kil Dong), Ray Felix (Runaway Slave), Fernando Ruiz (Archie Comics), and others.
 
School of Comics and Kids’ Comic Con will both return to Comix Galaxy 2010, and Miami Book Fair will continue to celebrate the social relevance of comics and graphic novels with an exciting line-up of even more graphic novelists and comic book artists.
 
For updates on the Miami Book Fair, please visit www.miamibookfair.com, call 305-237-3528 or email wbookfair@mdc.edu. 
 
MIAMI BOOK FAIR INTERNATIONAL AND FLORIDA CENTER FOR THE LITERARY ARTS
Miami Book Fair International is the largest and is regarded as the finest literary gathering in America. It is the premier event of the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College. The Center promotes reading and writing throughout the year by consistently presenting quality literary activities open to all in South Florida. Literacy projects target children of all ages—from kindergarten to high school—as well as college students and adults. Established and emerging writers from South Florida and all over the U.S. read, lecture, and teach workshops. They work with K-12, MDC students, and diverse members of the community, helping to deepen their understanding of literature, and encouraging their work of writers at all stages of development. The Center envisions South Florida as a nexus of literary activity in the Americas and beyond, and will continue to champion its mission of promoting the advancement and appreciation of the literary arts in all forms.
 
Miami Book Fair International is made possible through the generous support of the State of Florida and the National Endowment for the Arts; the City of Miami; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; Miami-Dade County Public Schools; the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Miami Downtown Development; and the Friends of the Fair; as well as many corporate partners.

ABOUT MIAMI DADE COLLEGE
Miami Dade College has a long and rich history of involvement in the cultural arts, providing South Florida with a vast array of artistic and literary offerings including The Miami Book Fair International, The Florida Center for the Literary Arts, The Miami International Film Festival, the Cultura del Lobo performance arts series, The Cuban Cinema Series, the Miami Leadership Roundtable speakers’ series, numerous renowned campus art galleries and theaters, and the nationally recognized School of Entertainment and Design Technology. With an enrollment of more than 170,000 students, MDC is the largest institution of higher education in the country and is a national model for many of its programs. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 300 distinct degree programs including baccalaureate, associate in arts and science degrees and numerous career training certificates leading to in-demand jobs. In 2006, MDC admitted its 1.5 millionth student.

Media contacts:Juan Mendieta, MDC director of communications, 305-237-7611,jmendiet@mdc.edu; or Tere Estorino, MDC director of media relations, 305-237-3949, testorin@mdc.edu; or Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710,sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu; or Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu.