Friday, July 18th from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. are the DBF x DPL live author talks at the Detroit Public Library (5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202). Detroit Festival of Books (aka: Detroit Bookfest) and the Detroit Public Library have partnered to bring you some incredible speakers for Bookfest weekend!
This event is FREE and open to the general public. Some of the talks will be moderated by the amazing Briana Rice, award-winning Detroit journalist and Outlier Media’s civic life reporter. PBS Books will be filming the event.
Book Beat is pleased to be a book vendor for this event.
Read more about the featured presenters below.
Curtis Chin
1 p.m.
Location: Auditorium
Activity: Talk and Documentary Screening
Curtis Chin is the author of the award-winning memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. A co-founder of the Asian American Writers’ Workshop in New York City, Curtis Chin served as the non-profits’ first Executive Director. He went on to write comedy for network and cable television before transitioning to social justice documentaries. Chin has screened his films at over 600 venues in twenty countries. He has written for CNN, Bon Appetit, the Detroit Free Press and the Emancipator/Boston Globe. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Chin has received awards from ABC/Disney Television, New York Foundation for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and more. His essay in Bon Appetit was just selected for Best Food Writing in America 2023 and his short doc, “Dear Corky” premiered on American Masters (PBS). He is currently working on a new docuseries on the history of Chines restaurants in America.
2 p.m.
Location: Teen Center
Activity: Live Drawing Demonstration
Mark Crilley is a Detroit native and Michigan-based manga illustrator, comic creator, and author. He is the creator of Miki Falls, Brody’s Ghost, and he produces instructional videos on drawing on YouTube in various styles, including manga-styles. He was at one point an English teacher in Fukushima, Japan, as well as Changhua, Taiwan.
Dr. Ricky Ross
3 p.m.
Location: Auditorium
Activity: Life and Book Talk
Ricky Donnell “Freeway Ricky” Ross (born January 26, 1960) is a renowned American author and former convicted drug trafficker. He rose to prominence for his involvement in establishing a drug empire in Los Angeles, California during the early to mid-1980s. Despite facing a life sentence, his legal appeal led to a reduction in his sentence, resulting in his release in 2009. Freeway Rick Ross’ journey is a compelling tale of transformation and redemption. From his humble beginnings, he navigated the challenging streets of South-Central Los Angeles and became a key figure in the illicit drug trade. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he realized the detrimental impact of drugs on his community. While serving his sentence, Ross dedicated himself to personal growth, education, and self-improvement. He immersed himself in literature, studying various subjects and expanding his knowledge. Ross emerged as a powerful advocate against drugs, actively working to prevent others from falling into the destructive cycle of addiction.
The AstroTwins
4 p.m.
Location: Teen Center
Activity: Book Talk
Ophira and Tali Edut (The AstroTwins) are bestselling authors, speakers, and identical twins. They are the cofounders of the global brand Astrostyle, which reaches millions of loyal readers around the world. They have been flagship ELLE columnists since 2009. The twins have appeared in major media including The New York Times, Good Morning America, and the Today show. Ophira and Tali have done workshops, talks, and trainings for Nike, Conde Nast, The Wing, SHEMedia, Michael Kors, and at universities nationwide. They have taught thousands of people their methods through their online platform and at their signature retreats in Tulum, Mexico. Graduates of The University of Michigan, Ophira and Tali grew up in Detroit and currently live in New York and Seattle.