FAQs

Please pardon the glitches…

MiamiBookFairOnline.com Is Under Construction


Check MiamiBookFairOnline.com in November for a Full Schedule of Author Convos.

If I signed for email alerts do I already have a MiamiBookFairOnline.com user account?

No. If you visited MiamiBookFairOnline before October 19, you have only signed up to receive news and alerts. Subscribers will now have to sign up for an account on MiamiBookFairOnline.com using an email address and password, or Facebook Account.

When is the 2020 Miami Book Fair?

Miami Book Fair will be a completely online experience this year, free and on demand on a new website created just for the fair. Starting November 15, more than 300 authors in conversation will be streaming  on MiamiBookFairOnline.com

How do I attend the 2020 Miami Book Fair?

A free and simple registration is all that’s required to access the Miami Book Fair Online video streams. You can sign up at MiamiBookFairOnline.com using your email address or Facebook Account.

When will the schedule of authors for the 2020 Miami Book Fair be released?

We will be updating the new Miami Book Fair Online website through November 1st. On November 1st, you will be able to log in and browse the full program schedule by category or by author.  Users will receive email notifications about programs and activities as they become available, plus practical tips on how to navigate the website, create a watchlist, and more.

Sign-up today at MiamiBookFairOnline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest news and announcements.

What authors will be part of the 2020 Miami Book Fair?

Each year, Miami Book Fair is proud to host hundreds of authors during our November book fair along with scores of others throughout the year! We present a wide variety of authors; from fiction to nonfiction, New York Times Best Sellers to local and up-and-coming authors, memoirs, humor, sci-fi, poetry and everything in between. We also pride ourselves on the extensive children’s programming we provide.

More than 300 acclaimed authors will take part in Miami Book Fair Online, with a robust slate of writers across cultures and countries presenting works in fiction, politics, history, memoir, comics, poetry, and other genres – in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, as in years past. Signature programs, such as IberoAmerican Authors and ReadCaribbean will return, and Children’s Alley, dedicated to providing fun learning activities for kids and youth, will also have a digital home.

Sign-up at MiamiBookFairOnline.com to receive notifications of the program as it becomes available.

Will any author presentations be live in-person events this year?

To maintain your health and safety, we are planning on a fully virtual festival for 2020. The situation and circumstances of the covid-19 pandemic are fluid and have been changing.

Will closed captions be available for the video streams?

Yes, you will be able to switch closed captioning on and off right from the video player.

How can I keep up with the latest news and information about the Miami Book Fair?

Sign-up at MiamiBookFair.com to receive our regular weekly newsletter and at MiamiBookFairOnline.com for the latest updates on the 2020 Fair. You can also follow Miami Book Fair on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Will Miami Book Fair Online be Family-Friendly?

Miami Book Fair Online will feature a digital “Webly’s Storytorium” packed with interactive storytelling, virtual workshops, live children’s concerts and museum wonders – limited to just two days in years past – will now be available for streaming throughout the run of the Fair. Songwriting, science experiments, video game building, poetry writing, and recipe sharing are just a handful of what’s on tap for kids and teens. Teen Press Conference, where high school students take on the role of reporters and actively engage with bestselling YA authors, is returning for the seventh consecutive year.

When will you be announcing the lineup of authors for the November fair?

We will be launching the platform in mid-late October. You will be able to sign-in, create a profile, browse the schedule, and build your watchlist. Sign-up at MiamiBookFairOnline.com to receive a notification when these features become available.

How do I access the new platform? Do I need to create a user profile?

By signing up at MiamiBookFairOnline.com you will be the first to be notified when you can login to the new Miami Book Fair Online website to create your profile. You will be able to sign-in using your email address or your Facebook Profile. Once inside, you will be able to update your profile photo and personal information, select your interest, and view your watchlist.

How do I build My Watchlist?

All programs will be available on a schedule to be published prior to the start of the fair. Although the site will not be fully operational until programs are complete and ready for viewing, the registration page is open now.

Once the platform is live, we will notify you so you can login and create your profile and select your interest. We will be emailing you related events to add to your Watchlist. To add to your Watchlist, browse the schedule of live and on-demand events and select “Add to Watchlist”. You can view your list from your profile page. You will also receive email reminders for the programs on your watchlist.

What is the format of the author’s sessions?

The 2020 Miami Book Fair Online will include pre-recorded author presentations and conversations that will be available to stream for free upon sign up to MiamiBookFairOnline.com. There will also be a series of “live” author events broadcasted through the website with live Q&A chat with authors.

You will also find extensive children’s edutainment and performances, supporting documents, supplementary videos to add context to the book discussions, a virtual marketplace for books, and more. The result will be a virtual book presentation network unlike any other, delivering author and book events through an easy-to-navigate website

How do I view author presentations?

You will need to pre-register to view our author presentations during the Book Fair in November. Go to our events page, sign up for the presentations with live Q&A with the authors that you would like to see. These sessions will be recorded and available for you to see later if you aren’t able to see the presentation when it first airs.

If you are interested in viewing one of our many virtual sessions between now and the Book Fair, please visit our upcoming events page and learn how to join.

Will I be able to speak with the author?

Some of the authors will be available for a Q&A in the chat function after their presentations. Just like an in-person event, the authors will enjoy answering as many questions answered as time allows.

How long is each presentation?

Presentation length will vary per program. Most author conversations will be approximately 45 to 60 minutes. The host and authors will speak for about 30 to 45 minutes with the last 15 minutes devoted to Q&A with viewers.

Are the author’s books for sale and how do I get an autographed copy?

We encourage you to support the author, small independent bookstores, and publishers. Books for all of our author presentations are available through our partner, Books & Books. You can access direct links to featured books on the author presentations pages or by visiting our virtual Marketplace.

How much does it cost to attend the virtual Miami Book Fair?

This year’s Miami Book Fair is Free. For the first time ever, anyone in the world can attend author sessions which are open to the public and completely FREE when  you sign up at MiamiBookFairOnline.com.

Please consider making a donation.

How do I access the virtual Marketplace?

You will need to login to MiamiBookFairOnline.com to shop this year’s virtual booths. Once inside, you can shop for Miami Book Fair swag and  browse our list of exhibitors. Each exhibitor will have its own marketplace listing with complete information and links to items available for purchase.

The virtual marketplace will feature booksellers, publishers and other book-, reading-, and education-related vendors, Book Fair Marketplace is where fairgoers go to browse the latest in books, ’zines, and comics and graphic novels for readers of all ages. Official Miami Book Fair merch and a copy of the fair’s 2020 commemorative poster – created by Dan Santat, award-winning children’s book author, illustrator, and creator of the Disney animated series The Replacements – can also be purchased there.

What technology do I need to watch a presentation?

You can use any computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet connectivity and audio and video capabilities to participate. You will be required to register to view the author sessions that take place on the new website during the Fair this November.  We strongly recommend you sign on several minutes before the session begins to ensure you have no connection or technical issues.

If I signed for email alerts do I already have a MiamiBookFairOnline.com user account?

No, you have only signed up to receive news and alerts. Starting October 19, subscribers will have to sign up for an account on MiamiBookFairOnline.com using an email address and password, or Facebook Account.

How do I become a Friend of the Fair?

What if I have questions about becoming a Friend of The Fair?

If you have questions, call Annalisa Damley in the Miami Book Fair membership office at 305-237-7837 (office) or 786-208-5402 (cell).

What are the Friend of the Fair membership levels and benefits?

  • READER: $100
  • EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: $1,000
  • CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE: $5,000

Click here for more information on each membership level.

What if I don’t receive an email confirmation after purchasing my membership?

Please allow up to 48 hours from the time of purchase to receive your email confirmation. First, please check your spam and junk folders then contact your Friends liaison Annalisa Damley: adamley@mdc.edu

What is Friends of Miami Book Fair’s refund policy on memberships?

You are receiving membership as part of your charitable contribution. Your tax-deductible contribution is non-refundable.

Where are the proceeds from this donation going?

Miami Book Fair is a charitable organization producing impactful year-round programs that benefit thousands in our community. Your membership makes a real difference in our community, helping to bring this year’s virtual Miami Book Fair to the community for free and ensuring the continuation of this world-class literary event that has raised a whole generation of writers, readers and leaders throughout South Florida.

When is my Friends membership active and when does it expire?

Your annual Friends membership is active for one year from the date of purchase. It will expire at the end of the month one year from the date of purchase, so you receive a full 12 months of benefits. As soon as it is safe to provide year-round in-person benefits i.e. exclusive quarterly cocktail receptions, priority seating to author conversations and more, we shall do so.

Is my Friends membership transferable?

Memberships are non-transferable and can only be used by the person who signed up to be a Friend of the Fair.

How do I update or make changes to my membership?

Please contact your Friends liaison Annalisa Damley adamley@mdc.edu if you need to update your address, phone number, email or any other information.

How do I purchase a Friends of the Fair membership for both myself and my significant other?

It’s very simple to do at checkout. In the Attendee section, select “I am buying for someone else,” then enter their name and email address.

I purchased a Friends gift membership, how will the person be notified?

When purchasing memberships for family members, guests or as a gift, simply choose “I am buying for someone else,” during checkout then enter their name and email address.

If you do not have the recipient’s email at the time of checkout please contact your Friends liaison Annalisa Damley: adamley@mdc.edu and provide her with the recipient’s contact information once you have it so that we can add them to our records, which will allow the recipient full Friends access and benefits.

Gift recipients are not notified when a gift membership is purchased. They will receive notices about upcoming events, invitations and our exclusive newsletter but it is your responsibility to notify the recipient that you have purchased a membership for them.

Can I write a check for my membership?

A credit card must be used to purchase a Friends membership.

Why do I need to provide my email address?

All communications to our Friends, including benefit updates, invitations and notices are sent via email – it is our main form of communication with our members.

I don’t see my past membership level, is it gone?

Due to the virtual nature of this year’s Book Festival, we have temporarily restructured membership levels. Going remote this year means we’re not able to offer some of the in-person membership benefits you’ve come to love as a Publisher, Agent, Writer or Literati Society member, but they will return next year even better than before! Continue to support us this year and enjoy your front row seat from your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

When will you be announcing the lineup of authors for the November fair?

As a Friend of the Fair, you will learn about which authors are joining us for the fair two weeks prior to the public announcement that will be made in later September. Be sure to check your email for our newsletters and exclusive announcements.

How many sessions does my Friends of the Fair membership allow me to watch?

You are welcome and encouraged to sign up for as many presentations as you like.

How do I access the Friends Virtual Hospitality Lounge?

The Miami Book Fair team will be reaching out to all of our Friends of the Fair with additional details about how to access the Friends Virtual Hospitality Lounge closer to the Book Fair in November.  You can also check this page again closer to the Fair for updates and details about how to access the Friends Virtual Hospitality Lounge.

How do I become an exhibitor on the virtual Marketplace?

Our exhibitors are a vital part of Miami Book Fair – and something fairgoers look forward to every year.  In order to participate in Miami Book Fair Online’s Virtual Marketplace you must either sell books or book-related products, or promote a literacy-oriented program. Booksellers, publishers, and nonprofit organizations focused on literacy or educational issues are all welcome.

Book your virtual booth now to engage with 200,000+ attendees. To apply, please visit: miamibookfair.com/exhibitor-application/

What are the exhibitor page requirements?

  • A 100-word description, link to your website, 1-3 images, and social media and YouTube links.
  • A link to a livestream session hosted on your website, plus a 100-word description of your schedule or additional information.
  • Submit your exhibitor application today – we’ll notify you within 10 business days if you’ve been accepted.

How can I donate to Miami Book Fair?

Miami Book Fair Online programs are free and open to the public. You will be able to make donations to support our programs directly from the author video pages on MiamiBookFairOnline.com.

To donate now, visit: mdcfoundation.com/miamibookfair

How can I become a sponsor of Miami Book Fair?

We gladly welcome corporate, foundation and individual sponsors. Please contact our Manager of Corporate Relations, Corey Lewis by calling  305-237-7847 or email clewis2@mdc.edu to discuss how you can contribute to the success of Miami Book Fair.

How can I support Miami Book Fair?

Miami Book Fair doesn’t begin and end with its yearly weeklong event – MBF provides outstanding programming that delights, intrigues, and enriches South Florida 12 months a year. Initiatives and series like ReadCaribbean, Little Haiti Book Fair, and “15 minutos de lectura con…” expand our cultural landscape. Creative writing workshops including the Miami Writers Institute, First Draft, and Speak Up for teens offer safe spaces in which collaboration and originality soar. And the Paz Prize for Poetry, MBF/de Groot Prize for the Novella, and Emerging Writer Fellowships actively support and help launch exciting new literary voices.

You can Become a Friend of the Fair to support literary culture year-round and receive exclusive member perks. If you are interested in making a one-time contribution, please click here.

How do I support Miami Book Fair on Social Media?

Please follow, like, comment, and share Miami Book Fair’s regularly scheduled updates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Tag us @MiamiBookFair #MBF2020 #MBFONLINE. You can download promotional social media graphics here.

How can I support Miami Book Fair on my website, blog, podcast, or media outlet?

The Media Relations Department is here to facilitate your access to the author program and schedules. We can facilitate interviews in advance and during the Fair as well as provide general background information regarding the Fair.

For journalists seeking media accreditation to receive press releases and news updates, download the Media Credential Application.

For information, you may also contact:

What are the required ad sizes for Miami Book Fair Online? Where will they be displayed?

Sponsored ads will be displayed on the marketplace and video pages, and will link to the URL you provided.

The required ad sizes are:

  • 728×90 leaderboard
  • 300×250 small rectangle

 Pre-roll ads should be 30 secs or less commercial slots for sponsors to run before/during programs.

 The required ad sizes are:

  • LANDSCAPE 1280 x 720 (720p), 1920 x 1080 (1080p)
  • ASPECT RATIO is 16:9

Where can I download Miami Book Fair logo assets?

To download Miami Book Fair logos, visit: miamibookfair.com/logos. Please use Miami Book Fair Online logo for this year’s fair, bottom/left.

For additional graphic assets, contact: Sara McCranie smccrani@mdc.edu.