Whether or not Adrian Matejka wins the National Book Award in Poetry on November 21st, he will be in town on November 22nd celebrating with O, Miami and District 44 at The Big Book Party, an event honoring Matejka’s book, The Big Smoke. Adrian Matejka.

The Big Smoke is about legendary boxer Jack Johnson, who became the first African-American heavyweight world champion. The collection documents Johnson’s violent and tumultuous journey from poverty to world champion, marred by racism institutionalized by Jim Crow laws. Matejka’s work both mythologizes and demystifies Johnson the character to reveal a more complex, nuanced man.

In the tradition of O, Miami // University of Wynwood, The Big Book Party explodes the idea of a just another literary event. The party, which is by invitation only, will take place in (an undisclosed location) that has an actual boxing ring. The night will also feature a performance by comedian Bonzi Chillups, whose performances, I’ve heard, are borderline indecipherable and outrageously hilarious.

It’s unclear whether or not boxing will take place, but it’s possible. When you mix an open bar, a boxing ring and poets, anything can happen. Once again, the event is by invitation only, so you’ll have to visit www.-u.wyn.org and bang on their doors to let you in. If you can’t get in, know this: Miami is evolving into a vibrant center for literature (and literary boxing) because of organizations like O, Miami and The University of  Wynwood.

If you can’t get into the event, no fear. Matejka will be reading at The Miami Book Fair International on Sunday, November 24th at 3 p.m. with fellow poets Tom Healy, Adam Fitzgerald and Nick Flynn. For information about the event, visit the Miami Book Fair International.