Meet New Guest Blogger Lisa Palley

It might be time to come clean and admit that I am a reader. Ever since I was a teen I’ve been living with shame that I liked reading. I can still see myself standing there in my party dress at a friend’s Bat Mitzvah, proudly declaring to a very cute caricaturist that I liked reading.

It was my answer to his: What did I like to do? He gave me a look that said, “You like reading, you are bor…..ring.” Yet, out of his mouth came: “Don’t you do anything else?” I was dumbfounded, said nothing. I did smile though. But he did draw me — in all of my awkward glory (the kind of pose only a 13 year old can carry off), lying supine with a book in my hand. He was gracious enough to provide me with a smile.

Here we are, 40 odd years later, and I’m telling you that South Florida is filled with people just like me. A city that’s home to others who love words. Who work with words. And I feel right at home, here in South Florida.

This is my first post of a new weekly blog for this town: The Glittery Literary World of South Florida — hosted by Artburst — to keep you abreast of what’s going on in our vibrant literary scene; to introduce you to those who put words together that make you smile, weep and laugh; to share workshops taught be professionals to hone our talent; and, to suggest special events one should not miss hosted by our fellow word-lovin’ people.

Also presented here will be some behind the scenes info about two of Miami’s best literary events: Miami Book Fair and the O, Miami Poetry Festival. We might also showcase stories written by our fellow South Floridians about life in South Florida.

Gather ‘round, join me in telling that caricaturist off: We Love Words. We Work With Words. We are Cool!

Lisa Lit