BUFFALO BOOK FAIR
Would-be writers urged to read
Reading is a window to a world of possibilities.
At least, that appeared to be the overarching message at the fourth annual Buffalo Book Fair Friday in Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the spoken sentiment of a Buffalo-born and -raised author who returned home to take part in the event.
Virginia DeBerry and her writing partner, Donna Grant, have achieved success and critical acclaim for their freshman novel, “Tryin’ to Sleep in the Bed You Made,” and are currently promoting its sequel, “Gotta Keep on Tryin’,” which is set for release in November.
“You need to be a reader in order to be a successful writer, and you need to read everything,” said DeBerry, in a brief interview shortly before she and Grant received an award for excellence in popular fiction writing from the Buffalo Book Fair Committee.
“If you want to write science fiction, you can’t just read science fiction. You have to read the Greeks and Shakespeare and early 20th century literature. All of it is relevant,” DeBerry added.
Several fans and aspiring writers showed up in Clifton Hall at the art gallery to hear the authors speak and see them bestowed with one of the Book Fair Committee’s first Literary Awards.
Also receiving awards from the committee was Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown for his advocacy of literacy through his Summer Reading Challenge initiative. Nationally acclaimed writer Lawrence Block received the committee’s Mystery Writers Award.
“Lawrence Block, who is from Buffalo, has won every mystery award you could ever win, national and international,” said Jennifer J. Parker, coordinator of the Buffalo Book Fair Committee.
To inspire even more local talent and promote reading as “a window to opportunity,” and just plain fun, the committee’s various partners, including WNED ThinkBright TV, The Buffalo News and the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, sponsored activities outside on the art gallery grounds aimed at reaching both children and adults.
“Yes, it’s for kids, too, but it’s also meant for adults,” said Pamela Johnson, vice president of education and outreach for ThinkBright TV.
“When you look at the program booklet of all the authors and illustrators who are here, they’re all people that [many] would love to meet and learn more about their craft, how they write their stories and come up with their ideas,” Johnson added.
