Mitchell Kaplan

Mitchell has been in the book business for close to 30 years as owner of Books & Books independent bookstores. His unique view of the marketplace enables him to identify audiences for particular books and genres, as well as have a consistent relationship with editors and agents regarding the future potential of upcoming titles. Mitchell also hosts over 1000 authors a year through Books & Books and The Miami Book Fair International, which he co-founded. For twenty eight years, all book fairs in this country have adopted his model for themselves. In addition to overseeing seven bookstores, including one located in Grand Cayman, Kaplan serves as the Chair of the Miami Book Fair Board of Directors and on the steering committee of the Florida Center for the Literary Arts, Miami-Dade College’s literary center. In 2011, he won the National Book Award’s Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. He’s developed close relationships with many writers across many disciplines and genres, and over the years has developed invaluable access. He lives in Miami with his wife, Rachelle, and their twin sons, Jonah and Daniel, and their daughter, Anya.