Hello, and welcome to Issue No. 3 of The Miami Book Hub™ Newsletter: Miami’s Home for Readers, Writers & Resources. I’m J. Adrian Betancourt, publisher of The Miami Book Hub™, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Glad, but also saddened… by Dolly Parton’s recent passing. She will, of course, be remembered for her extraordinary music and singular generosity of spirit. But I have also been reflecting on another part of her legacy: the millions of children who discovered the joy of reading because she believed access to books should never depend on a family’s circumstances.

Inspired by her father, who could not read or write, Dolly launched the Imagination Library in 1995. The program mails a free book every month to participating children from birth through age five. By the end of 2025, the Imagination Library had placed more than 304 million books into the hands—and imaginations—of young readers.

Her example is a powerful reminder that giving someone a book is about more than literacy. It is an invitation to imagine a larger life.

That same conviction is very much alive here in Miami. The Books & Books Literary Foundation brings authors and books into Title I schools, supports an extraordinary calendar of free literary programming, and champions the freedom to read. Through The Children’s Trust Books for Free, Miami Book Fair also distributes hundreds of thousands of books annually through public bookshelves in underserved neighborhoods across Miami-Dade. And Bookleggers Library puts free books directly into readers’ hands through creative programs, mobile outreach, and Miami’s first and only free bookstore.

These organizations, and many others, may not always command the national spotlight, but their work is written into the lives of our community’s readers. Part of our purpose at Miami Book Hub is to shine a brighter light on efforts like these, and to encourage all of us to take part, whether by donating, volunteering, supporting a program, or simply placing the right book into the hands of a child.

Dolly showed us just how far that simple act can reach. It is a legacy worth carrying forward, here in Miami and everywhere. Please support them all as you can. Rest in peace, Dolly 🙏💐.

Onward & Upward!

With gratitude,
J. Adrian Betancourt
Publisher + Producer + Host, The Miami Book Hub^TM
Publisher, Three Treasures Press
Author, Maya Lin & the Ancient Order of Seshat saga

In Episode 21 of The Miami Book Hub, I sat down with Aileen Sabanal, who has built her work around a deceptively simple idea: books should not only be read, they should bring people together.

Aileen describes herself as a “literary experience designer,” someone who makes “books part of life in a bigger way.” Through initiatives such as The Miami Book Club, Books & Books & Clubs, Bookmarked, and Books & Blooms, she is helping transform reading from a solitary pastime into an invitation to connect, belong, and experience Miami’s literary community more fully.

Our conversation explores Aileen’s lifelong love of reading, her gift for “spontaneous book clubbing,” and the nearly 200 readers now participating in Miami Book Club chapters—including Spanish-language and intergenerational groups. At its heart, however, this episode is about something larger than books: our hunger for genuine human connection.

It is a warm, hopeful conversation about reading as community, and an invitation to step away from our screens, join a book club, and find one another through stories.

Welcome back to My Journey, where I give you a front-row seat to my adventure as a first-time author—the exciting parts, the nerve-wracking parts, the lessons learned, and the increasingly frequent “What have I gotten myself into?” moments along the way.

Some moments in a creative journey feel as though they have been quietly taking shape for years. I am delighted to share that one of my mentors, and longtime friend, Dr. Paul S. George—Resident Historian at the Museum of Miami—will moderate the official launch of Maya Lin & the Ancient Order of Seshat, in the arQitect on Tuesday, September 22, at Books & Books in Coral Gables.

Paul is widely regarded as Miami’s preeminent historian, but to me, he is also a treasured friend of nearly 25 years. He even played an early, and boastful, role in my courtship of my wife, Tiffany: several of our first dates were spent following Dr. George through Miami’s neighborhoods on the fascinating history tours for which he is so well known. Throughout the years, Dr. George and I have shared countless conversations about Miami, history, storytelling, and the remarkable ways in which the past continues to shape the present.

His knowledge, curiosity, and passion for our community have long inspired me—so much so that he inspired a character in the novel: the esteemed historian Dr. George Paul (see what I did there 😉?). It feels wonderfully fitting that the real Dr. George will now help introduce the fictional one—and the larger world surrounding him—to readers.

This will also be a slightly unconventional book-launch conversation. Dr. George and I will certainly discuss the novel, its inspirations, and the winding journey that brought it into the world, but the evening will include a few interactive surprises as well. Consider them an early glimpse of the immersive world-building community I am creating around the Maya Lin Saga—one that invites readers not merely to read the story, but to step inside its mysteries and become part of its unfolding world.

I can think of no better person—or friend—to help me begin this next chapter.

🚀 Join me for the BOOK LAUNCH at Books & Books on September 22 at 7:00 p.m.

📚 PURCHASE my book on pre-sale.

🔎 Learn more about me, my book, and other endeavors at my NEWLY REDESIGNED WEBSITE: ThreeTreasuresPress.com.

Hope to see you there, friends! 🙏

This month’s picks travel across genres, eras, and emotional terrain, pairing literary beauty and moving explorations of grief, identity, family, and faith with sharp humor, time-bending adventure, and page-turning suspense. From intimate, character-driven fiction to a lyrical spiritual memoir, Rochelle’s five selections offer distinctive voices and stories that linger long after the final page.

Welcome to Literary Events, your monthly guide to the readings, author talks, workshops, festivals, book clubs, and community gatherings that keep Miami’s literary scene moving.

🗓️ Miami-Dade Public Libraries
🗓️ Broward County Library
🗓️ Miami Book Fair
🗓️ Books & Books
🗓️ O, Miami
🗓️ Eventbrite

On the quieter end of Ocean Drive stands a hotel where books are not merely décor, they are woven into the property’s identity. With literature filling its rooms, public spaces, programming, and even its architecture, The Betsy has earned a special reputation as Miami’s literary hotel.

The hotel’s literary offerings are remarkable. More than 130 guest rooms contain individually curated book collections, while its main library—open around the clock—holds several thousand titles. Since opening in 2012, The Betsy Writer’s Room has welcomed more than 1,500 writers and other creatives, providing them with space to work and opportunities to engage with the community. The hotel also hosts author conversations, poetry readings, literary salons, and residencies, including a new monthly Books & Books at The Betsy series.

Literature even extends outside the hotel. Suspended above 14th Place, The Betsy Poetry Rail features words by 12 poets who have influenced Miami’s culture and literary life. The hotel’s poetic heritage is deeply personal as well: owner Jonathan Plutzik is the son of Hyam Plutzik, the celebrated poet and three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist whose legacy permeates the property.

A special shout-out goes to Jonathan, whose vision and commitment have helped make The Betsy a cultural home for readers and writers. Jonathan was also an early guest on The Miami Book Hub podcast alongside his longtime friend and collaborator, Books & Books founder Mitchell Kaplan.

I recently had the opportunity to spend a night at The Betsy while attending an author event featuring Laura Lekkos, and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. There is something uniquely satisfying about attending a literary conversation and then remaining overnight in a place where books, art, music, and hospitality coexist so naturally.

The Betsy also makes a special appearance in one of the scenes in my own novel, Maya Lin & the Ancient Order of Seshat, in the arQitect. How does it figure into the story? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Whether you book a stay, attend an author event, explore the library, or simply stop in to soak up the atmosphere, I encourage you to experience Miami’s literary hotel for yourself. Discover The Betsy and explore its upcoming cultural programs at TheBetsyHotel.com.

Welcome to The Craft, a practical corner of The Miami Book Hub^TM Newsletter created for writers at every stage of the journey — from the first spark of an idea to the long road of drafting, revising, publishing, and promoting a finished book.

For Miami writers looking to develop their craft in a university setting, the University of Miami’s Creative Writing Program offers opportunities from the undergraduate level through advanced graduate study. Housed within UM’s Department of English & Creative Writing on the Coral Gables campus, the program combines small, workshop-style courses, close faculty interaction, literary study, and sustained practice in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and other forms—all within a program shaped by Miami’s multilingual and multicultural character.

Undergraduates can pursue a B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, a 30-credit course of study that pairs intensive fiction or poetry workshops with a strong foundation in literature. Students in other majors can add a 15-credit Creative Writing minor, beginning with an introduction to the craft and continuing through fiction, poetry, or mixed-genre workshops alongside literature courses. In both paths, students write and revise original work, read widely, and learn through detailed feedback from faculty and fellow writers.

At the graduate level, UM’s MFA in Creative Writing extends that experience into an intensive, fully funded program centered on fiction, poetry, and cross-genre work. Small cohorts receive advanced workshop instruction and faculty mentorship while completing a book-length creative thesis, and students can gain professional experience through teaching, literary publishing, public programming, and the graduate-run literary journal Sinking City. The MFA is particularly distinguished by its emphasis on multilingual writing, including dialect, code-switching, varied linguistic registers, and the relationship between language and voice.

The department is chaired by Jaswinder Bolina, an award-winning poet and essayist whose work spans poetry, nonfiction, race, identity, and contemporary culture. Bolina is the author of several collections, including English as a Second Language and Other Poems, winner of the 2025 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award, and the essay collection Of Color. Alongside UM’s accomplished faculty of working writers and scholars, he helps anchor a creative community designed to give writers at different stages the craft, critical perspective, mentorship, and community needed to develop distinctive literary voices.

From an undergraduate taking a first serious workshop to an emerging author completing an MFA manuscript, UM offers South Florida writers multiple ways to move from creative interest to disciplined practice—and, ultimately, toward a sustained writing life.

Learn more about the University of Miami’s Creative Writing Program.

Miami Book Fair presents First Draft, a series of free and informal writing events where community, craft, and rapid-fire creativity meet for monthly themed virtual salons where writers get social, share their work, and leave with great stories. Instructor: Stacie Shannon Denetsosie. Theme: Unearthing: Using Landscape to Reveal Truths in Story

Wherever you are on your writing journey, Books & Books invites you to join them for an evening with award-winning author R. M. Romero! She will be leading a critique group in which four participants will be chosen at random to read their work aloud for ten minutes, followed by a 20-minute workshop session. So please bring five to ten pages of your book, short story, poetry, or play for feedback from your fellow writers. Additionally, a half hour will be set aside at the start of the evening for you to ask us any questions you have about writing, querying, and publishing.

Join Miami-Dade Public Libraries for this bi-monthly workshop designed for anyone interested in writing fiction or non-fiction with the hope of one day publishing their work! Facilitated by author Elaine B. Johnson, each session will provide a safe and fun environment for participants to learn about the process of becoming a successful writer.

The New Voices Fiction Award celebrates bold, original short fiction (250 - 2,000 words) from emerging and established writers alike. They are seeking compelling stories across all genres that challenge, entertain, surprise, and linger in the reader’s mind long after the final sentence. $15 entry fee. Cash prizes: First Place - $200 | 2nd Place - $50. Closes on Dec. 15th.

Miami-Dade teens ages 13–18 are invited to submit an original poem exploring freedom through the lens of Miami, the United States or both. Presented in collaboration with County Poet Laureate Nicole Tallman, the Poetry Contest for Teens runs September 14–October 17, with Books & Books gift cards of $150, $100 and $50 awarded to the top three entries.

Convo’s | My Journey | Book Picks | Events | Spotlight | The Craft | Cooks’ Books

Some cookbooks begin with ingredients. Cuban Soul: 100 Vibrant Recipes from Mi Cocina begins with inheritance.

For Miami chef and author Mika Leon, food has always been a way for her family to remember where it came from, and to carry those memories forward. A third-generation cook, Mika grew up in a large Cuban family in which kitchens, restaurants, and recipes connected generations. Her grandfather opened a Cuban family restaurant in Valencia, Spain, before the family eventually settled in Miami and operated a cantina from their backyard.

Mika transformed that culinary inheritance into a distinctly modern career. She began with Mikabites, a dessert business launched from her mother’s garage, followed by pop-ups, food trucks, professional kitchens, and eventually Caja Caliente, the Miami restaurant known for its playful interpretations of Cuban comfort food. She has also brought Cuban flavors to national audiences through appearances on Food Network, Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, and Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted. Learn more about Mika’s journey.

In Cuban Soul, Mika gathers 100 recipes shaped by family, migration, resilience, and joy. Traditional favorites and contemporary interpretations share the table, from empanadas de carne, pan con bistec, pastelón, and lechón asado to guava-and-cheese pastelitos, Cuban cocktails, and her colorful ropa vieja de cerdo (recipe further below). The recipes are designed for experienced cooks and curious beginners alike, accompanied by lively photography and Mika’s personal stories.

More than a collection of recipes, Cuban Soul is a love letter to the generations of cooks who have kept Cuban traditions alive while allowing them to evolve. It feels both deeply Cuban and unmistakably Miami: rooted in memory, enriched by movement, and meant to be shared around a crowded table.

Mika is scheduled to appear as a guest on The Miami Book Hub podcast in mid-September. Be on the lookout for what promises to be a fun, thoughtful conversation.

Cuban Soul will be released October 6, 2026, by Union Square & Co.

Serves 4 to 6

You probably know ropa vieja as stewed beef (page 189), but my family often made a pork version. Pork was easier to come by, and it brings this natural sweetness that balances so well with the sofrito and tomato base. The meat cooks low and slow until it practically falls apart, then it gets shredded and added back to a sauce made from its own cooking broth. It has all the cozy, soulful vibes of the national dish but with its own flair. I swear it tastes even better the next day.

2 pounds boneless pork shoulder or boneless ribs, cut into 3-inch cubes

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon

fine kosher salt, plus more for seasoning

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon Sazon Completa (page 23) or store-bought sazon

1 cup dry white cooking wine

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

For serving

Arroz Blanco Cubano (page 123) or Arroz Amarillo (page 124)

Abuelo’s Frijoles Negros (page 97)

Platanos Maduros Fritos (page 65)

In a large caldero or Dutch oven, combine the pork, bay leaves, and 1 tablespoon of the salt. Cover with enough cold water to submerge by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, using a soup spoon to skim off any foam that rises to the surface, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the meat is tender and easy to shred, 1½ to 2 hours. Add more water as needed while simmering to keep the meat covered.

 Transfer the pork to a cutting board to cool slightly. Reserve 1½ cups of the pork cooking liquid (save the rest for another recipe). Shred the pork using two forks.

 Make a quick sofrito: Wipe out the pot, then heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the sazón and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Add the wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot, until the liquid has reduced, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce and reserved pork cooking liquid and cook until warmed through, about 2 minutes.

 Stir in the shredded pork. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the sauce has thickened, 15 minutes. Taste for seasoning.

 Serve hot over rice, with beans and sweet plantains on the side for a full spread.

* Recipe reprinted with permission from Cuban Soul by Mika Leon © 2026. Published by Union Square & Co., an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. Photography by Lauren Vied Allen.