It almost feels obscene that life goes on on the other side of the world from where wars are raging. But it does, and this past weekend, three other women and I organized a book fair for our neighbors who are authors, which was very well attended. It was kind of a lark how it started, one of our neighbors announced the publication of his photo book on the LGBTQ community, which he he had been working on since the 1970s, and I said, we should do a book fair, and somebody else said, great idea, let's meet to organize it. It ended up being four of us who pulled it together, and before you knew it we had 23 authors signed up to display and discuss their books, fiction, memoir, photography, history, science fiction, children's books YA stories, graphic novels, religious iconography, cookbooks, honestly every kind of book and subject area you might imagine. And I thought, well we can talk to each other if no one comes, but the community streamed through all afternoon, and everyone loved getting that taste of culture and seeing the accomplished work of people we say hello to in elevators and laundry rooms and courtyards week in week out. That's the four women organizers, congratulating ourselves at the end of the event. Everyone's already asking about next year. Here's my friend's book that started it all. He's a wonderful photographer, and this is a life's work.
It almost feels obscene that life goes on on the other side of the world from where wars are raging. But it does, and this past weekend, three other women and I organized a book fair for our neighbors who are authors, which was very well attended. It was kind of a lark how it started, one of our neighbors announced the publication of his photo book on the LGBTQ community, which he he had been working on since the 1970s, and I said, we should do a book fair, and somebody else said, great idea, let's meet to organize it. It ended up being four of us who pulled it together, and before you knew it we had 23 authors signed up to display and discuss their books, fiction, memoir, photography, history, science fiction, children's books YA stories, graphic novels, religious iconography, cookbooks, honestly every kind of book and subject area you might imagine. And I thought, well we can talk to each other if no one comes, but the community streamed through all afternoon, and everyone loved getting that taste of culture and seeing the accomplished work of people we say hello to in elevators and laundry rooms and courtyards week in week out. That's the four women organizers, congratulating ourselves at the end of the event. Everyone's already asking about next year. Here's my friend's book that started it all. He's a wonderful photographer, and this is a life's work.
This is just about the best thing I've heard in forever. What a terrific idea and you made it happen! I'm blown away.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your successful event!
ReplyDeletehow wonderful! wonderful idea and a wonderful success. the picture on the cover of the friend's book that started it all is worth a million words. two men embracing, expression love an affection and the sour puss glaring with disapproval at that expression.
ReplyDeleteWomen working together! Lovely photo of the four of you. Happy to hear that the event was a success. I found this interview with your friend, Nicholas, who was in Seattle earlier this month:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.king5.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/new-day-northwest/gay-streets-of-america-new-day-nw/281-d6091bba-ef04-4b5c-a0d1-ae772b7b0ea5
What a great idea! I'll have to check out your friend's book! I'm glad it went well and you all got a chance to show off your work.
ReplyDeleteWell how cool is that!?! I am so impressed that you four did a book fair. That's another thing that I love about New York, you can do something like that and people will come. That might happen in Seattle, but not here. Congratulations to you all for a job well done.
ReplyDelete