January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Announcing the 2009 Coretta Scott King Book Award Recipients
Given to African American authors and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions, the Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream.
The award is designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.
More about the Coretta Scott King Book Awards
Author Award
Kadir Nelson
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
published by Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group
Author Honor Books
Hope Anita Smith
Keeping the Night Watch
published by Henry Holt and Company
Joyce Carol Thomas
The Blacker the Berry
published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Carole Boston Weatherford
Becoming Billie Holiday
published by Wordsong, an imprint of Boyds Mills Press, Inc
Illustrator Award
Floyd Cooper
The Blacker the Berry
published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Illustrator Honor Books
Kadir Nelson
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
published by Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group
Jerry Pinkney
The Moon Over Star
published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group
Sean Qualls
Before John Was a Jazz Giant
published by Henry Holt and Company
John Steptoe Awards for New Talent
These books affirm new talent and offer visibility to excellence in writing or illustration at the beginning of a career as a published book creator.
Shadra Strickland
Bird
published by Lee & Low Books
January 2, 2009
Publishers are paying attention to African-American teens
by Felicia Pride and Calvin Reid — Publishers Weekly, 12/8/2008
Talk to a Young Adults editor or take a stroll through that section at your local bookstore and it’s evident that there’s a growing number of books aimed at the young adult market—and those numbers include more titles geared specifically to African-American teens. As publishers are addressing the lack of material aimed at this market—many African-American teens have turned to popular adult authors because of this dearth—there has clearly been some improvement.
These days publishers are offering black teens books that deal with serious issues, such as drug addiction and pregnancy, as well as pure entertainment; they’re looking to introduce new authors and experiment with graphic novels and even historical fiction for teens, all while looking for creative ways to make sure parents, teachers and librarians—as well as the kids themselves—know what’s on their lists specifically for black teens.
Publishers Weekly talked with a number of editors and category buyers as well as an agent specializing in titles for African-American teens in order to get a better view of the past, present and future of titles aimed at black teenagers.
Publishers Weekly
October 1, 2008
Title: 2009 Romance Writers of America Annual Conference
Location: Washington, D.C.
Link out: Click here
Description: RWA is proud to host its 29th Annual National Conference in Washington, D.C., at Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.
Be sure the join us in Washington, D.C., to enhance your writing and knowledge of the ins and outs of publishing at more than 100 workshops; get the inside track at panels and round-tables featuring publishing professionals; schedule a one-on-one pitch meeting with an acquiring editor or literary agent; attend parties and network with the stars of romance fiction; and be a part of RWA\’s massive, 500-author strong \”Readers for Life\” charity book signing. And let\’s not forget the 2009 RITA and Golden Heart Awards.
Date: 2009-07-15
