Gibson and Atwood will appear Nov. 21 for a ticketed conversation, with Friends of the Fair members receiving advance access
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MIAMI (Oct. 8, 2026) – Writer and art historian Jess Gibson will present her debut short story collection, “The Good Eye,” with Margaret Atwood at Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Miami Book Fair (MBF) on Saturday, Nov. 21. Atwood will also discuss her memoir, “Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts.”
Published in May, “The Good Eye” is a collection of 12 stories in which appearances and intentions are rarely what they seem. A woman finds a stone in her pocket that later becomes lodged in her partner’s throat. A psychic uses her ability to communicate with animals to seek revenge. Gibson, who lives in Brooklyn, holds a doctorate in art history, and “The Good Eye” is her first book.
“Jess has written a terrific first book, and I’m excited for readers to meet her,” said Lissette Mendez, executive director of Miami Book Fair. “She and Margaret are each bringing their own work to the Fair. Hearing them talk about their books together will be pretty special.”
Atwood is the author of more than 50 books of fiction, poetry and critical essays. In “Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts,” she looks back on an unconventional childhood, spent in part in the forests of northern Quebec and the people, places and experiences that shaped her life and writing. The memoir became a New York Times bestseller, was longlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award and was named a notable book of the year by both The New York Times and The Washington Post.
The Saturday program, sponsored by Ansin | Spencer, The Women’s Fund, and Zelda’s Gift Fund, will be ticketed, with very limited seating. Friends of the Fair members will receive advance ticket access before any remaining tickets are released to the general public. Membership information is available at miamibookfair.com/become-a-friend.
The 43rd Miami Book Fair runs Nov. 15-22 at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami. Street Fair weekend takes place Nov. 20-22.
WHAT: Jess Gibson and Margaret Atwood in conversation
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 NE Second Ave., Miami
About Miami Book Fair
Founded in 1984 by Miami Dade College and partners, Miami Book Fair engages the community through inclusive, accessible programs that promote reading and support writers year-round. The annual eight-day festival has grown into the largest and most comprehensive community-rooted literary gathering in the United States, generating discourse on contemporary literature and current issues of international importance. Year-round programming includes The Little Haiti Book Festival; creative writing and publishing workshops; author presentations; reading campaigns; and Books for Free, a partnership with The Children’s Trust that distributes more than 150,000 free books annually to children in Miami-Dade County.
Miami Book Fair programming is made possible through generous support from the State of Florida, National Endowment for the Arts, City of Miami, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Miami Downtown Development Authority, and Friends of the Fair, as well as media and corporate partners.
Miami Book Fair Media Contacts:
Rachel Pinzur, Pinzur Communications | 305.725.2875, rachel@pinzurPR.com
Cristina Fonseca, Pinzur Communications | 561.644.1726, cfonseca@pinzurPR.com