I leave for Guadalajara tomorrow. I’m going to attend the Feria Internacional del Libro (FIL), the second largest book fair in the world (Sharjah is the guest of honour). This is a wonderful opportunity. Blue Met invited me to attend as part of their delegation, and I’m honoured. On Monday (Nov. 28), I’ll be taking part in an event called Queer Literature and Auto-Narrative: How to Tell with Adel B. Khelifa and Marie-Andrée Lamontagne. The event will be in French with live interpretation into Spanish.
The publishing world descends upon Guadalajara for the FIL, so there is also the opportunity to meet other writers, publishers, and festival directors (I’ve already been invited to half a dozen receptions). This is something I’ve always dreamed about – getting to represent my country, and talk about my work, to foreign audiences. To make lasting international connections.
In advance of my appearance, I was interviewed about the trip by writer and radio host of La Décima Radio, Rob Hernandez. There’s also a write up in Mural, a leading independent publication.
I’ll write and share the experience when I get back. Wish me luck.
