This past Saturday the Harlem Book Fair came and went. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for perusing the tables of books lining 135th Street in West Harlem. In spite of the growing success of the HBF, quite a few attendees (and authors) have complained that the proliferation of “street lit” has negatively impacted the 
event.
I’d have to agree with the critics. Many of the books showcased at the fair are not books that you will find in my personal library and they tend to be books that you will find lining the folding tables on 125th Street. In addition friends who are authors lament that their book sales at the book fair barely break even with the cost of renting a booth.
The first year of the festival organizers held the event in front of the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State building and the panel discussions took place inside the building. Later, the organizers decided to spread the event from 125th to 135th. Most recently they seem to have settled on the 135th corridor and the Schomburg Center.
In case you missed the all day festival here is what happened:
Watch panel discussions via C-Span [Book TV] and coverage on NY1 [NY1]
Hear audio from WYNC
Read what various bloggers had to say about the event:
Additional links on Harlem Fur
Related: 55 Secret Street
Dee
July 23, 2007
http://gawker.com/news/gawker-video-look-book/meet-dr-mf-268026.php
mfbooks.com
enough said!
ardam
July 23, 2007
Though I agree that street lit has expanded over the years, its also very disappointing not to find authors or their companies who publish them at the fair. How can sales be good if they or their work is not present?How does one know if they exist, if this is the only time some people will come out to possibly purchase a book? This year a collection was taken up to ease the financial strain on authors by Max. Do authors who don’t write st lit have suggestions…