Book Fair Program

Albuquerque was the site of one of the biggest book shows in the country this spring. The New Mexico Book Fiesta was located in the middle on the lower level of Cottonwood Mall in Albuquerque on Saturday, May 7, 2005. This cooperative project, organized by Barbe Awalt and Paul Rhetts of LPD Press, showcased hundreds of local books, from and about New Mexico, from more than 200 authors and small publishers. New Mexico Book Fiesta also held a series of book talks and presentations during this book show.

PROGRAM OF TALKS
Talks cost $5 in advance. There were a limited number of tickets available for each talk. The talks were held in the B.A.S.E. program classroom which is located on the first floor next to Dillard's in Cottonwood Mall. It was suggested that attendees arrive early for each talk as doors to the talk will be closed once the presentation begins. Tickets are non-refundable.

Speakers included:
10-11am - "I Have a Busy Day Job, But Still Have Time to Write" -- Stuart Ashman, Secretary of the Dept. of Cultural Affairs; Yolanda Nava, Public Relations Manager for the NM State Monuments; and Dr. Charles Carrillo, artist and recipient of the Ralph Emerson Twitchell Award from the Historical Society of NM (just announced)

11-12noon - "What Writers Need to Know About the Brutal Truth of Book Promotion" -- Michael McGarrity, author of Slow Kill, Everyone Dies, The Big Gamble, Under the Color of Law, The Judas Judge, Hermit's Peak, and many other novels. He has been nominated twice for the Western Writers of America Spur Award as well as several other accolades for his writing, including the 2004 New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts -- Literature.

1-2pm - "Bringing Out the Book In You" -- Jane Lindskold, author of Child of a Rainless Year, Wolf Captured, The Buried Pyramid, The Dragon of Despair, Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart, and Through Wolf's Eyes

2-3pm - "Writing for Magazines" -- Sharon Niederman, author of Return to Abo; she also is a frequent contributor to many regional magazines and publications

3-4pm - "Books and History" -- Thomas J. Steele, S.J., author of Santos and Saints, The Regis Santos, and Archbishop Lamy: In His Own Words; John M. Taylor, author of Bloody Valverde and Dejad a los Parvules;; and Mary P. Davis of the Corrales Historical Society

Tickets were available at the LPD Press booth in the center of the Mall starting at 9:00 am.
The proceeds from the talks were donated to the B.A.S.E. Program.
Sponsors of the New Mexico Book Fiesta included abqARTS, Albuquerque The Magazine, Cottonwood Mall, LPD Press, New Mexico Humanities Council, and Varsity Contractors.