As part of an engagement initiative to encourage the community to get involved in this year’s book fair, Miami Book Fair International hosted its first ever #6WordsMiami happy hour in partnership with South Florida’s NPR affiliate WLRN on Thursday, July 24, 2014, from 6 – 8 p.m. at R House — located in Miami’s Wynwood district — where inspired participants entertained one another with their Miami-influenced six-word stories.

“We are going to have a contest where six stories will be featured on a limited set of postcards that will be matched with photographs by a Miami Herald photographer,” said Lissette Mendez, program director for The Center for Literature and Theatre at Miami Dade College. Select #6WordsMiami participants who attend the 2014 Miami Book Fair will also win a chance to read their stories at different events.

Nicholas Garnett, adjunct professor for Florida International University, and WLRN’s Maria Murriel were among the evening’s hosts. Murriel likened the six-word-story challenge to a concentrated tweet, and according to Garnett, one participant ambitiously submitted 35 six-word stories, the most entries thus far. Since the contest, which runs through October 15, 2014, has no entry limit, Garnett encourages participants to submit as many stories as they so desire.

R House’s modern artwork proved just as inviting as the attendees’ Miami-influenced stories themselves. Guests sipped on free cocktails — courtesy of their generous hosts — and they savored delectable fare prepared to order from R House’s enticing menu. With approximately 60 to 70 #6WordsMiami registrants in attendance throughout the evening, organizers were quite pleased with the event’s turnout.

How to Enter #6WordsMiami

The 2014 Miami Book Fair runs from Nov. 16 – 23. For more information about #6WordsMiami or to enter, visit Miami Book Fair International’s website or use WLRN’s online entry form. Participants can also tweet their stories to @miamibookfair using #6WordsMiami.

#6WordsMiami participant Tatiana drafts her six-word stories for Miami Book Fair International event at R House in Miami’s Wynwood district on Thursday, July 24, 2014. (Photo by: Tonya Woodworth/BookBound Media)