Friends of the Fair FAQs

Visit MiamiBookFair.com/friends to register online or call 305.407.1655 to sign up over the phone. A credit card must be used to purchase a Friends membership; we cannot accept personal checks as payment.

If you have questions, contact Friends liaison Annalisa Damley at 786.208.5402 (cell) or at ADamley@mdc.com. 

Reader: $125
Writer: $250
Agent: $500
Editor-in-Chief: $1,000
Publisher: $2,500
Chairperson’s Circle: $5,000
Student Membership: Free

Benefactor: $10,000 (Please contact Lisa Better at LBetter@mdc.edu for more information.)

Click here for more information on each membership level.

Please allow up to 24 hours from the time of purchase to receive your email confirmation which will come from Support@SquadUP.com, and be sure to check your spam and  junk folders. If you still haven’t received a confirmation, contact your Friends liaison, Annalisa Damley, at 786.208.5402 or ADamley@mdc.edu.

Friends of the Fair memberships are nonrefundable, as it is a charitable contribution that supports the mission and work of Miami Book Fair.

Miami Book Fair is  a charitable organization producing impactful year-round programming that benefit thousands in our community. Your membership makes a real difference by strengthening and sustaining our country’s biggest and longest-running book festival, and by ensuring the continuation of this world-class literary event that’s raised whole generations of writers, readers, and leaders throughout South Florida and beyond. In addition, your support allows us to bring year-round programming and inclusive events to people of all ages.

Your annual Friends membership is active for one year from the date of purchase and expires at the end of the month one year later. Benefits include up-front, reserved seating at author presentations; a special-edition Fair tote; book giveaways; invitations to author parties; and more, depending on your membership level (i.e., Reader, Writer, Agent, Editor-in-Chief, Publisher, and  Chairperson’s Circle). 

Memberships are nontransferable and may only be used by the person who signed up to be a Friend of the Fair.

Please contact your Friends liaison, Annalisa Damley, at 786.208.5402 or ADamley@mdc.edu if you need to update your address, phone number, email, or any other information.

That’s easy – in the Member section, click on Gift A Friends Membership at MiamiBookFair.com/friends.

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.

Please note that gift recipients are not notified when a membership is purchased for them, so let them know it’s coming their way! Once you’ve purchased a gift membership, your recipient will begin to receive notices about upcoming events, invitations, and our exclusive newsletter.

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

Available to those at the Writer level and above, our Friends Hospitality Lounges are a much-appreciated escape where members can take a break and recharge in air-conditioned comfort during the Fair’s whirlwind of excitement!

The lounges – conveniently located in Tuyo and the Miami Culinary Institute, both in Building 6 – re steps away from the Chapman building, home of most of our high-profile author events. Open during the weekend Street Fair on the final Saturday and Sunday of the Fair they boast comfortable seating, food, and drink. Stop by for a hot cup of Joe, meet up and reconnect with fellow Friends over breakfast or lunch, or grab a snack in between events to help you keep going.

Are you a Reader? Consider bumping up your membership to the next-level Writer to take advantage of this exclusive perk!

As in the past, in-person author presentations will be hosted on-site at Miami Dade College’s downtown Wolfson Campus, located at 300 NE Second Ave., Miami, FL 33132. Virtual presentations will be available for viewing on MiamiBookFairOnline.com.

All Friends of the Fair who purchase a membership at the Editor-in-Chief level or above will be invited to the annual Authors Party. 

Parking is free and on-site at Miami Dade College’s downtown Wolfson Campus in our parking garage at Building 7 at NE Second Avenue and Sixth Street, with entrances on Fifth and Sixth streets.

Please reach out to Friends liaison Annalisa Damley at 786.208.5402 or ADamley@mdc.edu. 

The Friends Table is located in the atrium of Building 1 by the escalators leading to the auditorium, which is where Evenings With events take place. During Street Fair weekend the table will be located just inside the entrance to Chapman in the breezeway by the escalators.

Friends of the Fair badges are mailed to the address you provided when you became a Friend, several weeks before Book Fair. 

We’re glad you asked, and invite you to join us before or after each evening author event on the rooftop of Building 1 for these musicological explorations under the downtown sky, where renowned record collectors spin curated vinyl selections and share the lore and stories behind the music. And you can enjoy natural wines and fresh craft cocktails amid the wonderful sounds that surround you while you’re there.

Yes. The grounds of Miami Book Fair and all venues are wheelchair accessible; guests who require special services (sign language interpreting or assistive listening devices) must contact Miami Dade College 72 business hours prior to the planned event’s start time. Requests may be made between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 305.237.3072 or reaching out via email at waccess@mdc.edu; or by calling the Florida Relay Service at 800.955.8771 (TTY). Personal assistants may attend events at no charge; service animals are welcome to all events.

The MDC Student Membership is a program designed specifically for current MDC students who are interested in attending Miami Book Fair and enjoy its year-round programs. This membership offers free admission to select events, access to exclusive events, first consideration to creative writing scholarships, and other benefits.

Any student who is currently enrolled at Miami Dade College is eligible for an MDC Student Membership.

You can sign up for an MDC Student Membership by visiting the Friends of the Fair webpage and clicking on the “Student Membership” box. From there, you will be able to fill out an application, after which your membership will be activated and you’ll receive your membership badge.

The MDC Student Membership is free of charge.

An MDC Student Membership is valid for one year. In order to continue enjoying its benefits, membership must be renewed one year later on the same day it was originally requested via the online application. 

Once you’ve signed up you’ll receive a membership card that you can use to access your benefits. Some benefits, such as free admission to select events, may require you to present your membership card at the event.

Yes, as an MDC Student Member, you are allowed to bring along one free guest to Street Fair; this guest does not have to be an MDC student. Your guest may also accompany you to all weekend events except Evenings With programs or special events that require a paid ticket for entry. 

Please contact your Friends liaison, Annalisa Damley, at 786.208.5402 or ADamley@mdc.edu if you need to update your address, phone number, email, or any other information connected to your membership.

Please reach out to Friends liaison Annalisa Damley at 786.208.5402 or ADamley@mdc.edu.

No; access to the Friends Hospitality Lounges is a benefit provided to members at the Writer Level ($250) and above.

Yes, students will receive the Fairgoers Guide in advance of the general public.