It's almost time for the 2006 Miami Book Fair International, South Florida's annual orgy of reading and writers. I was getting worried —— the committee is quite late in getting membership materials out to previous contributors, and in spreading the word about this year's authors in attendance.

While I recognize that the fair is a volunteer-run event —— in spite of all the international acclaim it receives — I admit that the lack of attention to their web site irks me just a wee bit. Once you get past the home page all the addresses include "/2004/" in the string, which is a bit sad. It's also sad that as of this writing —— and in spite of Mitchell Kaplan's assurances in the cover letter sent to past Friends of the Fair —— actually registering and donating to the event requires you to print a Microsoft Word document and fax or mail it to Miami-Dade College. If this was a Star Wars convention run at the Days Inn for a hundred sweaty geeks I'd look the other way, but this is a week-long event with hundreds of authors in attendance and thousands of attendees spending huge sums of money. It's a bit embarrassing.

This won't stop me from contributing, though, and it sure as hell won't stop me from attending. I mean, c'mon! Jules Feiffer will be there! And for you political types, Helen Thomas! And for fans of young adult fiction, Lemony Snicket Daniel Handler! And a lot of other great writers and interesting people, too, as I'm certain my literate and faithful readers will point out to me once they peruse the list.

The "An Evening With..." Lecture series runs November 12––19, and the Street Fair is November 17––19.