Hilary Duff and Steven Carter Captivate Audience in Brazil: 2011 Bienal do Livro Draws Almost One Million Visitors

Actress turned author Hilary Duff and author turned celebrity Steven Carter wowed the crowds at the 2011 Bienal do Livro in Rio de Janeiro last week.  Brazil’s national book fair was a stunning success, with almost one million people turning out to meet celebrity authors and catch a glimpse of President Dilma Rousseff.  President Rousseff, Brazil’s first woman president, presided over the opening ceremony this year to help Brazil celebrate “The Year of the Woman.”

This year’s Bienal was filled with famous authors and dignitaries, but Hilary Duff and Steven Carter clearly captured the celebrity spotlight.  Duff’s first novel Elixir, a vampire thriller, was received with extraordinary enthusiasm, while Carter was busy celebrating the release of his sixth book in Brazil and the one-million-copies-sold milestone of his first Brazilian release, What Smart Women Know (Os Segredos Das Mulheres Inteligentes).

For American author Steven Carter, this year’s Bienal seemed nothing short of magical.  Unknown to Brazilians five years ago, Carter is now regularly compared to the Brazilian icon, writer/composer Chico Buarque.

Steven Carter’s presence could be felt everywhere at this year’s Bienal. The official website of the Bienal do Livro announced Carter’s upcoming appearance for months, featuring his photos on the splash page. Jumbotron screens inside the Riocentro convention center regularly announced Carter’s presence at the book fair.  Newspaper, magazine, and web articles highlighted Carter’s appearance. For Carter, new to the world of celebrity, the experience was nothing short of dizzying.

“Every time I visit Brazil I am overwhelmed by the reception,” confesses Carter. “I go from my very quiet ‘Clark Kent’ life in the USA to thrilling weeks of celebration in Brazil. Every year I expect things to calm down but they just get more wonderful and more intense!” “Being invited to meet the President of Brazil is clearly one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me,” he continued, “It was a joyous day!”

Carter clearly seems to have struck a serious nerve in Brazil. His publisher, Marcos Pereira of Editora Sextante explains: “The role of women in the Brazilian culture and economy has evolved dramatically. If you think of the U.S. 20 years ago, I think this is happening now in Brazil. Women are rethinking their roles, enjoying their independence, embracing their success.” Carter adds, “Self-esteem is the greatest struggle as women emerge—negative, discouraging voices from the past still have a powerful influence on women’s progress. I know that my work speaks directly to that conflict.” “Now Brazil has its first woman President,” continues Carter, “a sea-change is clearly underway but women need support for that change. I’d like to think that my work offers support for that change.”

Contact Information

Richard Friedel

Publicist

C.A.S. Publishing

info@caspublishing.org