by Jan Lisa Huttner, Printers Row Book Fair Chair
Make Your Plans Now for the 2005 Printers Row Book Fair
by Jan Lisa Huttner, Printers Row Book Fair Chair
As winter turns into spring, the IWPA Board begins planning in earnest for
the annual Printers Row Book Fair, one of the highlights of our membership year.
The Chicago Tribune calls its Printers Row Book Fair "the Midwest's
largest celebration of the written word." Last year almost 100,000 people
participated in the PRBF's mix of browsing and buying, augmented by panel discussions,
book signings, live musical performances, and street-side snacking.
This year the PRBF is scheduled for the second weekend of June (Saturday, June
11 and Sunday, June 12), which represents a change from the "first weekend
in June" tradition. Hopefully this will mean an even warmer, more sun-filled
event.
IWPA is making a significant departure from tradition as well. Rather than remain
in the "Writers Marketplace" area with the rest of the non-profit
associations, the IWPA Board has decided to trade up into one of the booksellers'
tents. This move doubles the amount of table space we've had in the past, from
one 8' X 30" table to two tables. We've also been promised much better
signage than we had last year.
If you would like to reserve a time to sell and sign your books, please contact
me as soon as possible. There are a total of eight slots available, four on
Saturday (10-12, 12-2, 2-4 & 4-6) and four on Sunday (10-12, 12-2, 2-4 &
4-6). We also need volunteers to staff our table during these same hours, meeting,
greeting, and getting the word out to all about the benefits of IWPA membership.
The Printers Row neighborhood is located in Chicago's South Loop. Most events
will be on Dearborn Street, anchored on the south end by Polk Street, and stretching
to Congress Boulevard on the north end. Detailed information, including the
exact location of the IWPA Table, will be posted on the IWPA website as soon
as it is available.
Contact: Jan Lisa Huttner, IWPA's PRBF Coordinator (and a South Loop resident)
through IWPA's hotline 312.458.9151.