Hello, and welcome to Issue No. 2 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.

As I prepare to publish my debut novel, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious about how readers and critics will respond. Will they love it? Dismiss it? Hate it? And will some part of me take their judgment of the book as a judgment of its author?

I’m not sure I have ever felt quite so vulnerable. But whenever those doubts begin to take hold, I return to a few words of wisdom that have carried me throughout this journey.

While writing my novel—and now, as I approach its launch—I have found myself returning again and again to a message from legendary music producer Rick Rubin about creativity and the process of making art.

Literature is an art form, and every writer eventually confronts the same fundamental question: Who am I writing for? In Rick’s mind, the answer is unequivocal, if perhaps controversial: Write for yourself first. The audience comes last.

Many of the writing classes, books, and podcasts I encountered encouraged authors to begin with the audience. Traditional publishing frequently requires it, and with good reason. Writing within established conventions can reduce risk, clarify a book’s market, and increase its commercial appeal. But I chose a different path.

As an independent author and publisher, I had the freedom, and the responsibility, to remain fully in control of my work. I decided to follow Rick’s advice and write the story I wanted to read: the story that felt most true and entertaining to me.

My hope was simple. If the book became a genuine expression of my imagination—something I truly loved—perhaps others would love it too. And if they didn’t, I would still have created something honest. Something I could stand behind without apology or compromise.

That approach may carry greater risk. But I believe it also carries the possibility of a greater reward.

When I think about the books, paintings, films, and music that have stayed with me throughout my life, many share one important quality: they did not simply follow the mold. They challenged it. They reflected an artist willing to make something deeply personal, distinctive, and true. Something REAL.

Whenever I begin worrying about whether people will like my book, I return to that idea. The first reader I had to satisfy was myself. And I did. I genuinely love the story I created. I hope you will too.

Take a few minutes to listen to Rick Rubin’s inspiring MESSAGE. It has influenced my creative journey more than I can say.

Learn more about me and my book —Maya Lin & the Ancient Order of Seshat, in the arQitect— at www.ThreeTreasuresPress.com.

PURCHASE my book on pre-sale.

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

Until then, friends… keep writing, keep creating, and above all, KEEP IT REAL.

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 series

In Episode 3 of The Miami Book Hub Podcast, I sat down with author, educator, journalist, and Jitney Books founder J.J. Colagrande for a candid conversation about writing, publishing, and the importance of telling Miami’s stories from within.

J.J. shared how his early experiences in journalism led him toward fiction, teaching, and eventually launching an independent press devoted to South Florida writers and perspectives. We discussed the opportunities—and financial realities—facing today’s authors, from traditional publishing to the entrepreneurial demands of going it alone.

The conversation also explored J.J.’s work at Miami Dade College, the institution’s extraordinary influence on local education and culture, and the collaborative spirit that continues to strengthen Miami’s literary community.

At its heart, this is a conversation about creative independence, honest storytelling, and the people and institutions helping Miami develop a literary identity as layered, diverse, and compelling as the city itself.

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.

What a month it has been! 😮 When I wrote the first installment of this column, Maya Lin & the Ancient Order of Seshat, in the arQitect was still moving through interior formatting and design. The book was beginning to feel real, but much of it still existed on screens, in digital files, and in my imagination. That is changing quickly.

The launch is no longer some distant event on the calendar. Books & Books has posted the official announcement for my September 22 book launch in Coral Gables, registration is open, and I can now send people to an actual event page and say, “I hope you’ll join me.” After years of writing and months of production, seeing the book listed on the Books & Books website was both thrilling and slightly terrifying. There is nothing quite like a public countdown to sharpen one’s focus.

Promotional materials have also begun arriving. The bookmarks are here. The book-cover T-shirts are here. Banners, displays, graphics, mailings, media outreach, advance reviews, podcast appearances, and launch logistics are all moving forward—sometimes simultaneously and occasionally faster than I can keep up with them.

Every package that arrives makes the launch feel a little closer.

I also recently received the wonderful news that I have been approved to participate in the Miami Book Fair this November. Having the opportunity to introduce the book to readers at one of the country’s most celebrated literary gatherings feels like another major step forward, and another exciting date now circled on the calendar.

At the same time, I am working with a talented designer to completely reimagine my website, which, among the usual things, will include a dedicated section for the book’s fans.

I have been developing the immersive world of the Ancient Order of Seshat, including its history, symbols, ranks, rituals, and mythology. I am also building the Medjay Knights, an affiliate and reader-ambassador program designed for those who want to do more than read the book. The Medjay Knights will help introduce new readers to the series, support its continued growth, and become part of the community developing around it.

Seals, certificates, challenge coins, ceremonial elements, membership levels—it may sound like I am starting an actual secret society. For the record, I can neither confirm nor deny that possibility.

But perhaps the most exciting milestone of all is this: the book is now officially available for pre-sale on Amazon. 😃

After years of imagining, writing, revising, and preparing, readers can finally order their own copies of the arQitect. Seeing the book appear on Amazon—complete with its cover, description, publication date, and purchase button—was another surreal moment in a month filled with them.

Pre-sales are especially meaningful for a new author. Every early purchase helps demonstrate interest in the book, build momentum before the launch, and introduce Maya Lin and the Ancient Order of Seshat to a wider audience. So, should this journey, this story, or this strange little secret society intrigue you, I hope you will consider purchasing a copy—and perhaps encouraging others you know to join the adventure.

There is still an enormous amount to accomplish before September 22. Each completed task seems to reveal three more waiting behind it. The days are moving quickly, the to-do list is growing, and the launch clock is most definitely ticking.

But amid the deadlines and details, I am trying to pause long enough to appreciate what is happening. The story became a book. The book is becoming a launch. And the launch is becoming the beginning of something much bigger than I first imagined.

Things are not just getting real anymore. They are moving—FAST. Thank you for continuing along for the ride.

📚 PURCHASE my book on pre-sale.

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

🔎 Learn more about me and my book—Maya Lin & the Ancient Order of Seshat, in the arQitect—at www.ThreeTreasuresPress.com.

Until then, friends… keep writing, keep creating, and above all, KEEP IT REAL.

It finally happened: I opened the first shipment of my printed books.

For months, I had studied the cover on a screen, reviewed digital proofs, corrected interior pages, and examined every detail—from fonts and margins to chapter headings and design elements. But none of that prepared me for the moment I opened the box, reached inside, and held the finished book in my hands for the first time.

The experience was exhilarating, emotional, and a little surreal. There it was: the story that had lived in my imagination, heart, laptop, and countless drafts—now bound, printed, and undeniably real. I turned it over, studied the spine, opened the cover, and flipped through the pages like an anxious parent checking a newborn’s fingers and toes. And yes, I probably inspected it far more closely than any normal reader ever will.

The unboxing represented much more than the arrival of a shipment. Each copy carried years of imagining, writing, revising, questioning, learning, and refusing to give up. It was the tangible evidence that all those solitary hours had produced something real. Something I could hold, share, sign, and eventually place into the hands of readers.

There was pride, relief, gratitude, and more than a little disbelief. I had imagined that moment many times, but the reality was even more powerful than I expected. And yes, I shed a tear or two.

For the first time, I was no longer looking at a manuscript, a proof, or a publishing project. I was holding my book. And very soon, readers will be holding it, too.

📚 PURCHASE my book on pre-sale.

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

🔎 Learn more about me and my book—Maya Lin & the Ancient Order of Seshat, in the arQitect—at www.ThreeTreasuresPress.com.

This month’s picks offer a smart and satisfying mix of sharp humor, emotional depth, literary beauty, and page-turning suspense. From witty contemporary fiction to reflective literary storytelling and fast-paced mystery, Rochelle’s selections span a range of moods while each delivering strong characters and memorable storytelling.

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

Miami’s public-library story reaches back to 1894, when residents established a small reading room in Lemon City—recognized today as Miami’s oldest public library. The countywide system took its modern form on November 1, 1971, when the City of Miami transferred administrative responsibility for its libraries to Miami-Dade County.

Today, MDPLS operates within Miami-Dade County government and serves the Miami-Dade Library District. Led by Director Lydia A. Lopez, appointed in April 2026, the system reaches approximately 2.5 million residents through 49 branches, two bookmobiles and a Technobus.

For readers, MDPLS provides extensive print and digital collections, eBooks, audiobooks, streaming media, research databases, technology and welcoming community spaces. For writers, it serves as an essential incubator and public stage through readings, author talks, workshops, conferences, local-author programming and community partnerships. Its literacy, tutoring, adult-learning, cultural and STEAM initiatives further demonstrate that a modern library is not merely a repository of books, but an engine of opportunity.

That work has earned significant recognition: MDPLS was named the Florida Library Association’s 2024 Library of the Year, received Urban Libraries Council Innovation Awards in 2020 and 2024, and was a finalist for the prestigious IMLS National Medal in 2022 and 2023. In Miami’s literary ecosystem, MDPLS does more than serve readers and writers—it helps create them.

Learn more about the Miami-Dade Public Library System at www.MDPLS.org.

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 ready to move from inspiration to disciplined practice, FIU’s Creative Writing Program offers a rigorous local pathway. Based at the Biscayne Bay Campus, the program combines small seminars, intensive workshops, close faculty mentorship, literary study, and courses focused on essential elements such as plot, character, form, and poetics. Students also complete a book-length creative thesis intended to meet professional publishing standards.

The program was founded and is directed by Les Standiford, a New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 works of fiction and nonfiction, including Last Train to Paradise and The Man Who Invented Christmas, which was adapted into a feature film. His career—and that of FIU’s accomplished faculty—brings substantial real-world publishing experience into the classroom.

FIU’s “down in the trenches” approach goes beyond theory, helping writers sharpen technique, identify audiences, submit to literary journals, pursue publication, and better understand the business of authorship. Through visiting writers, readings, awards, mentorship, and Gulf Stream Magazine, students gain structure, accountability, informed critique, and access to a vibrant literary network. With alumni responsible for more than 200 published books, FIU demonstrates how sustained craft, community, and professional guidance can transform talent into a lasting writing career.

Learn more about FIU’s Creative Writing Program at www.FIU.edu.

Designed to help participants produce new material through guided prompts and shared creative energy, this recurring workshop welcomes writers at varying experience levels. Although organized by Miami Poetry Club, generative exercises can also benefit memoirists, fiction writers, and other writers seeking fresh ideas or a renewed writing practice.

Presented by the nonprofit Arts Accelerator, this interactive workshop is modeled after a professional television writers’ room. Participants share works in progress, exchange feedback, and develop characters, plots, and story ideas collaboratively. It is open to writers of all experience levels and is particularly useful for fiction writers, screenwriters, playwrights, and anyone developing a narrative project.

Emerging writers may submit an unpublished work of fiction or narrative creative nonfiction of up to 6,000 words. Guest judge Weike Wang will select the winners. First place receives $3,000, online publication, and review by participating literary agencies; second and third place receive $300 and $200, respectively, along with publication and agency review. Intended for emerging writers: authors who have published through independent presses or self-published may enter, but those with a novel or memoir published or under contract with a major press are ineligible. Entry fee: $20.

This award is for an unpublished first full-length collection of poetry, short stories, essays, or hybrid prose. The winner receives publication by Black Lawrence Press, a $1,000 award, and ten author copies. Applicants must not have previously published a full-length book in any genre. Poetry manuscripts should be 45–95 pages, while prose collections should be 120–280 pages. Novels and memoirs are not eligible, although essay collections and collected short fiction are accepted. Entries are judged anonymously by Black Lawrence Press editors and previous award winners. Entry fee: $30.

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

For more than three decades, Chef Jan Jorgensen has quietly occupied a distinctive place in Miami’s culinary story. At Two Chefs, his landmark South Miami restaurant, Jorgensen has built a loyal following around food that is refined without being fussy—contemporary American cooking shaped by classical European technique, pristine ingredients and influences gathered from Denmark, France, Italy and Germany. The restaurant’s changing seasonal menus, serious wine program and famously towering soufflés have helped it endure while countless dining trends have come and gone.

Jorgensen’s culinary education began in his native Denmark, where he first became fascinated by the bustle, aromas and organized commotion of his grandparents’ hotel kitchen. His professional journey later carried him through kitchens in Greenland, Zurich and Copenhagen, including the acclaimed Fakkelgaarden. After moving to the United States, he worked in San Francisco for influential chef Jeremiah Tower at Speedo 690 and the legendary Stars—one of the restaurants that helped define California cuisine—before returning to Miami. He operated JanJo’s in Coconut Grove and then established Two Chefs in South Miami during the mid-1990s.

That lifetime of experience is gathered in Jorgensen’s first cookbook, A Cook’s Table: Food and Wine Together, co-authored with journalist and wine expert Todd Wernstrom. Spanning approximately 400 pages, the book contains more than 125 recipes drawn from Jorgensen’s Danish childhood, his European training and the dishes that have become favorites at Two Chefs. Readers will find comforting classics such as meatloaf and Scandinavian biksemad alongside more ambitious preparations, including Beef Wellington, boeuf sauté Stroganoff, escargot pot pie and vol-au-vent with forest mushrooms and goat cheese.

What distinguishes the collection is its thoughtful structure. Rather than arranging recipes by season, course or primary ingredient, Jorgensen and Wernstrom organize them around familiar grapes and styles of wine. A reader might begin with a bottle of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon and discover dishes designed to complement it—or begin with a recipe and receive practical guidance on selecting the right wine. Brief introductions offer accessible wine education without becoming overly technical or imposing rigid pairing rules.

The book also reflects Jorgensen’s belief that memorable cooking begins with fundamentals: selecting good ingredients, preparing proper stocks and sauces, understanding technique and taking the time to build flavor. Its detailed glossary, instructional guidance, personal reflections and generous photography make it more than a collection of restaurant recipes. It is part memoir, part culinary education and part invitation to rediscover the pleasure of preparing a meal meant to be shared.

In an era often preoccupied with shortcuts, spectacle and culinary celebrity, Jorgensen remains devoted to something more enduring: the discipline and dignity of being a cook. A Cook’s Table captures that philosophy beautifully—a celebration of craftsmanship, hospitality and the timeless conversation between food, wine and the people gathered around the table.

Serves 4

Snapper is a favorite fish among many chefs, as it’s suitable for virtually any cooking method. Salsify is the European version of the popular Latin American root vegetable known as yuca. It’s thinner, longer and more potato-like in consistency, but just as nutty in flavor.

This recipe is simple, elegant and light, and makes a beautiful presentation when arranged on top of the salsify and spring onions.

Ingredients:

● 4 pieces salsify, each approximately, 12 inches long,
● juice of 1 1/2 lemons, divided in two
● 4 snapper filets, 6 to 8 ounces each, skin on.
● 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
● salt and pepper
● 2 tablespoons butter
● 12 scallions, tops removed, cut into 5-inch strips
● 1/4 cup chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
● 3 tablespoons Italian flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
● 1 teaspoon fresh sage, finely chopped

Peel and cut the salsify into 1 inch diagonal pieces. Place in a medium bowl and cover with water and juice from 1 lemon to prevent discoloring. Set aside.

Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cover the bottom of the pan with a light coating of olive oil. Using a sharp knife, score the snapper filets in a crosshatch/diamond pattern on the skin side. Place the filets in the pan, skin side down. Sauté until the skin has turned golden brown, for approximately 5 minutes. Do not touch the filets – you want them to caramelize to crispen the skin.

Once the filets have finished caramelizing, turn them over, reduce heat to medium and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes, until they’re flaky. Turn off the heat, but leave the pan on the burner

While the filets are cooking, preheat another skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter, then add the pre-cut salsify. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden brown and tender Add the scallions, remaining lemon juice, chicken stock, parsley and sage. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until the stock reduces a bit, adjusting the flavor with salt and pepper.

Arrange the salsify mixture on four plates. Carefully place a snapper serving on top of the salsify. Spoon sauce over fish. Serve immediately, and ENJOY!