Jersey City will get to meet and listen to works by some of its local writers at the annual book festival called “Tales of Our Cities.” The festival this year brings 32 authors into the public eye. But instead of Van Vorst Park as in past years, the festival will be held at the Grove Street PATH plaza near Newark Avenue, on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For the seventh year in a row the event will be presented by the Jersey City Public Library, this year in conjunction with Mayor Steven Fulop, the City Council, and the Division of Cultural Affairs.
“For seven years now there has been no shortage of writing talent when we have scouted for authors,” said Assistant Library Director Sonia Araujo, who coordinated the book festival. “We have appreciated such abundant self expression and expect the audience will, too.”
Each year the festival typically features a day-long line-up of JC-nurtured poets, novelists, short story writers, lyricists, performance artists, and musicians. The free festival exposes residents to some of the best work currently being created by emerging writers living in and around Jersey City.
“We have appreciated such abundant self expression and expect the audience will, too.” –
Sonia Araujo
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Among the more celebrated authors this year will be Stella Pulo, a writer and actor who is the first Australian to be made a lifetime member of The Actors Studio. Pulo will perform an amusing travel monologue called “Shrimp Shells in my Cleavage,” and will be appropriately costumed.
Author Antoinette Ellis-Williams, Ph.D. a professor of women’s and generation studies at New Jersey City University, will read from her new book of poetry, “Black Gardenias: A Collection of Poems, Stories & Sayings from a Woman’s Heart.”
The festival features poets, children’s authors, authors of adult fiction, inspirational writers, dramatists, true story writers, and singer/songwriters.
Of the 32 writers, 10 are Jersey City natives, eight still live here, while most of the others are native to other parts of the state or still live in various places in New Jersey. The work, which will be read or performed by the writers themselves, will include poems, monologues, excerpts from novels, nonfiction, performance pieces, and songs.
Each year, writers apply to be included in the lineup of authors featured at the festival, which is sponsored by the Jersey City Free Public Library. Those selected are given 15-minute time slots.
Most of the writers who participate in “Tales of Our Cities” have self-published their work, but a few are published by major houses and others may read from completed manuscripts they hope to shop through an agent and get published through traditional channels.
Some of the writers such as Pulo and Ellis Williams bring an international flavor to the festival as well as a distinct female perspective, writing about what it means to be a woman growing up in a particular ethnic heritage.
A variety of works
Some of the other poets include Lana Rose Diaz – a well-established poet in Jersey City – as well as Elliott Fant, Jacqueline Hallenbeck, Bridgette “Mz. BJ Scott” Johnson, Michele M. Mena, PhD, Keith Middleton, Valerie A. Mitchell, and Ramon Terry.
“I have a table where I’ll be selling my latest collection of poetry, ‘Rain & Concrete,’ which includes several pieces about and/or inspired by Jersey City,” Diaz said.
Belinda Diaz-Perez, a Jersey City teacher since 1996, and currently a teacher in School No. 3, is one of the local children’s authors. Her book “Bully the Bullfrog,” resonates with the anti-bullying theme the state Department of Education has been encouraging.
She said as a teacher she wants to teach children about a subject that most have some experience with, and perhaps give them something they can rely on when confronted by bullies.
“I hope to continue writing stories for children,” she said. “I have two other books complete and one I’m working on.”
Other children’s authors include Cherese Bracey, Helene Enriquez, Hysop Mulero, Elijah M. Brown and Vanessa Campos. Kevin Lewis and Jane Pedler are the authors of books for young adults.
David Allen, a retired detective, will bring a little taste of the paranormal to the festival this year, while Judith Baller-Fabian writes about Army wives. Joe Del Priore, well-known for his community involvement in Hoboken, brings a little bit of absurdist fiction to this year’s lineup. Hank Quense turns first contact with space aliens into satiric humor. Louis Romano – perhaps following in the footsteps of Dan Brown – has a crime thriller involving the Catholic Church. David Stroebel explores a possible heir to the German Krupp family in his work. Maureen Wlodarczyk writes about “weird and wonderful” New Jersey.
Jessica Bagget will have her second book of inspirational writing called “The Keys 2 Life.” Saideh Browne will be reading from “Politics Remixed.” Eric N. Quinn will be discussing communication techniques from in work “Your Common Sense is Not Too Common.”
Performances included Trish Szymanski giving a dramatic reading of a satirical essay by Washington Irving. Yvonne Hernandez will perform some works by Shakespeare. Holley Guinn known as “Holliday,” will sing blues from her work “Lover’s Lament” and “Dance with me.” Cedric Knight will bring a little rap to the event.
The event will also have vendors and public information tables.
For more information go to http://www.jclibrary.org.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.