BookExpo 2020, initially planned for NYC’s Javits Center, is in full swing online, and last night, some truly amazing and inspiring authors got together for the Adult Book & Author Dinner. In case you missed it, I was in (virtual) attendance and have the need-to-know on what went down. One of BookExpo’s representatives had this to say:
BookExpo Online brought together several of the most important and varied voices in 2020 adult literature for the annual Adult Book & Author Breakfast (now virtual Dinner) for an insightful conversation about their latest books and initiatives.
While there was a distinct lack of dinner, there was a wealth of wisdom, insight, and literary inspiration, as authors discussed their latest works, their backgrounds, and their thoughts on key issues. The dinner’s guests were political analyst Zerlina Maxwell, US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, NYT bestselling author Carmen Maria Machado, and Nebula Award winner Rebecca Roanhorse. US Representative Ilhan Omar was also billed to appear, but was unfortunately unable to make the broadcast.
image via bookexpo
The panel’s first speaker was Zerlina Maxwell; writer, analyst, commentator, and activist. Speaking primarily about her book The End of White Politics: How To Heal Our Liberal Divide, Maxwell read an excerpt and discussed the importance of diversity and inclusion in American politics.
She outlined how a lack of racial diversity in the 2016 election played a huge part in such an unprecedented outcome. If it had been a more level playing field, the White House could look very different today. Many viewers commented their praise and appreciation for both Maxwell’s words and her writing.
Zirlena was followed by US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, who has been working to amplify the voices of Native American people in her writing. Harjo read a piece from her anthology When the Light of the World was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through, which is a Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry collection. Harjo was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She is the first Native American Poet Laureate.
image via poemsearcher
Next was Carmen Maria Machado, a bestselling short story author who has been featured in The New Yorker and many more publications, most notably for 2017’s Her Body And Other Parties. Machado discussed her horror comic series The Low, Low Woods, published by DC’s Hill House imprint.
Machado shared how she went from prose to comic writing, and the aspects that were important to her. In particular, she wanted her main characters to be queer, POC, and for one of the women to be fat. Slides from The Low, Low Woods were presented on-screen, with many viewers enthusiastic about the publication.
Then, Rebecca Roanhorse spoke about her own experience as a Black and Native woman, and being a writer at such an intersection. Roanhorse touched on her thoughts on writing science fiction and offered insight into her upcoming fantasy novel, and the first book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, Black Sun. The American author has won Hugo and Nebula awards for her science fiction and fantasy writing.
After each author had taken the virtual stage, Maxwell led them in a group discussion. This gave each writer the opportunity to go into more depth on their goals, inspiration, and upcoming works. The authors brought a great energy to the panel and further proved the importance of diverse and varied voices in literature. One thing for sure, we can’t wait to read what comes next from each one.
You can watch the video in full below, and make sure you catch all of the fun over on BookExpo’s Facebook.
Featured Image via Bookexpo/MIC