PenPoints newsletter
PenPoints newsletter
The 3rd Annual October Book Fair:
Bringing Illinois authors together
Articles and photos by Aileen Vertiz
Described as “the People’s Palace—where Chicago's diverse communities gather,” the Chicago Cultural Center opened its doors on October 20 for the third year to the Illinois Women’s Press Association’s Annual Book Fair. This event united the diverse backgrounds of Illinois authors under one roof. The fair was free and open to the public, and books were available for purchase and autographs.
The Randolph Café was filled with nearly 30 tables, each stationing a fellow IWPA author or guest author who proudly displayed his or her work. Titles ranged from fiction and memoirs, to Chicago city living and Illinois history. Each author had a story to tell, a message to convey, and a welcoming demeanor urging passers-by to stop and chat.
One such friendly face belonged to IWPA member Susan Brauer, author of the inspiring memoir Just Keep Dancing. Brauer has participated in the book fair each year bearing the message of self-fulfillment, empowerment, and the courage to obtain what appears unattainable. Just Keep Dancing describes Brauer’s 20-year abusive relationship with her spouse and how she ultimately ended the marriage. “Most people ask, ‘Why did you put up with it?’ and I wanted to answer that: how and why I was involved, how I got out, and how I got to where I am today,” Brauer explained. Engineer by day and author by night, her next title due in January is called Podium Panic, a book tailored to women focusing on the necessary tools for public speaking, developing leadership skills, and following dreams.
IWPA President Suzanne Hanney invited authors to the podium to give a brief presentation on their books. Guest author Carol June Stover gave a synopsis of her book Current River Redemption, a fictional piece she describes as a “mystery/family saga,” which integrates her Southern roots into the story’s overall suspenseful theme. “This is my first time attending the book fair,” Stover said, “and I am impressed with how the fair is efficiently run. The IWPA is a beautiful communicative choir.”
Larry W. Green, a painter turned writer, shares his passion for water tanks in his book. “I originally painted landscapes at eye-level, but slowly the scenes in my art included the skyline, and that’s when I began to notice the water tanks. I started photographing them.” In his book Water Tanks of Chicago: A Vanishing Urban Legacy, Green emphasizes how each water tank has its own story. His goal is to share those stories and generate awareness of how quickly the tanks are disappearing.
Francine Pappadis Friedman’s table was a popular stop. Her book MatchDotBom focused on her experiences with Internet dating and the men of cyberspace.
Native Iranian Rami Yelda, shown here sitting with his wife, wrote A Persian Odyssey “to introduce real Iran, the Iran Americans do not know.” |
Dr. Elana Ashley and Ellie the Elephant welcome visitors to learn of her series of English/Spanish books for children with valuable lessons on problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Susan Brauer gives a message of self-fulfillment, empowerment, and the courage to obtain what appears unattainable in her book, Just Keep Dancing. |
The other authors listen while Larry Green (background) takes the stage to talk about his passion for water tanks and his new book on this “vanishing urban legacy.”
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Among other authors were IWPA members Francine Pappadis Friedman and children’s author Dr. Elana Ashley. Friedman, a newcomer to the October Book Fair, received much attention with her title MatchDotBomb: A Midlife Journey Through Internet Dating. After losing her husband of 31 years, Friedman reluctantly was persuaded to try Internet dating where she says she went on a lot of “F and L dates- first and last dates.” The book focuses on what the men of cyberspace taught her. “The main message I’m trying to communicate is the journey. The journey is the cake and companionship is the icing,” she explained. |
Dr. Elana Ashley and the central character of her first children’s book, Ellie the Elephant, eagerly welcomed visitors to her table. Her series of English/Spanish books have important themes for kids to learn and grow with. Her first title teaches critical problem-solving skills and conflict resolution, valuable lessons for kids to grasp.
One of the most thought-provoking titles at the fair was written by native Iranian Rami Yelda, who traveled back to his homeland in 2002 after living in the States for 40 years. He was later inspired to write A Persian Odyssey, a publication he hopes will change the mentality Americans have about Iran. “I want to introduce the real Iran,” he said, “the Iran Americans do not know.”
The fair was a large success thanks to the leadership and guidance of Vice President and Book Fair Chair Marianne Wolf-Astrauskas. Each story and message the authors offered did in fact gather Chicago’s diverse communities, bringing together a variety of ideas with a communal passion for literature.
Aileen Vertiz graduated from Marquette University in May 2007 with a degree in advertising. She lives in Chicago and hopes to begin a career in publishing. She can be reached at agvertiz@gmail.com.
IN THIS ISSUE:
FOUNDED IN 1885
November, 2007 PenPoints Page 1
Good Journalism Still Matters Page 2
Publishing-savvy Author Page 3
IWPA Makes Its Mark Page 4
Bringing Illinois Authors Together Page 6
IWPA Programs/Members News Page 8
