Vicky Hendricks.

Speak up!

Sex, obsession, murder. Could be a hip-hop video, could be a night on South Beach. Could be both. Actually, it's a few subjects from local author Vicki Hendricks' latest novel, Miami Purity, Iguana Love, Voluntary Madness, Sky Blues, and Cruel Poetry. Check her out at the Book Fair in the Write Out Loud café at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16.

Favorite Miami icon: Brian Antoni. He's the epitome of wildness, imagination and pure spirit that embodies South Beach, which, to me, is most of Miami.

Restaurant where you'd have your last meal: Hy Vong on Southwest 8th Street. I go with friends and together we generally order about everything on the menu and pass bites around. You can't lose with anything.

Quintessential "Miami" moment: Once near the Fontainbleau beach area a Hasidic Jew with hair locks and Homburg crossing paths with a muscular young guy wearing only a tiny leather bikini and a spiked dog collar. I believe he was also on a leash, but my imagination might have conjured that up.

Favorite event of the year: The Book Fair, of course! I enjoy attending readings and panels and sometimes getting up on stage and croaking out a few words with the Rock Bottom Remainders.

Where you can typically be found on a Saturday night: Usually at home, unless it's Book Fair weekend!

Miami wouldn't be Miami without: Lincoln Road. My favorite activity is to sit at a restaurant and watch all the dogs go by.

Favorite hidden gems: I like to go to Fairchild Tropical Gardens and Bill Baggs Park, but neither is hidden.

Published: 11/08