April 3, 2010
By FELICIA R. LEE
Published: March 22, 2010
The New York Times
The 10th National Black Writers’ Conference begins on Thursday at Medgar Evers College in New York, an anniversary that prompted Walter Mosley to remember his first conference, in the 1980s. He was just one of many unpublished, struggling writers who showed up, he said. An editor had passed on his first novel, about the detective Easy Rawlins, with the rationale that the publishing house already had a black detective novel.
“Terry McMillan said you have to sell books out of the trunk of your car,” Mr. Mosley said.
But in the age of President Obama, when successful black writers can be found across genres and a Nobel Prize winner, Toni Morrison, can be tapped to be the honorary chairwoman of the event, do black writers still need a conference to call their own?
In interviews, many black writers and editors, and others in the book world said yes. Black authors are part of the broader society’s struggles with the legacy of discrimination and exclusion, they said, and often need a more strategic approach to getting their work promoted, reviewed and sold.
The conference, expected to attract 2,000 people, is a chance for writers to study and celebrate one another and for readers to hear writers presenting their work and dissecting social and literary themes. Over four days of workshops and discussions, the participants can also grapple with issues like the value of black sections in bookstores, the paucity of black editors in publishing and how to expand the list of black writers taught in schools.
For the full article, see The New York Times.
March 22, 2010
Title: Tenth National Black Writers’ Conference
Location: Medgar Evers College, CUNY, New York
Link: Click here
Description: The Tenth National Black Writers’ Conference, first presented in 1986 as a result of the visionary leadership of the late John O. Killens, will be held March 25-28, 2010. Toni Morrison, will be the Honorary Chair. The theme of the National Black Writers’ Conference is And Then We Heard the Thunder: Black Writers Reconstructing Memories and Lighting the Way. Through a series of panel discussions, roundtables, author readings and storytelling, the National Black Writers’ Conference will use the metaphor of thunder, memory and light to examine the historical representation of the literature of Black writers and the representation of new and future directions for contemporary and emerging literary voices. With Toni Morrison as the Honorary Chair, the National Black Writers’ Conference will also honor Amiri Baraka, Kamau Brathwaite and Dr. Edison O. Jackson. Black writers will come from throughout America, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa.
The National Black Writers’ Conference is a conference dedicated to the exploration of “emerging themes, trends and issues in Black American literature.” It is hosted by the Center for Black Literature at Medgar and attracts writers, scholars, editors, agents, faculty, students and the general public. The 2010 Conference will prove to be a “first” in that this premier Black writers’ event will have the distinction of celebrating its tenth anniversary while being chaired by the prize-winning renowned Black author during a time when the first Black American president is in the White House.
The National Black Writers’ Conference has addressed the themes of stereotypes in Black literature, the direction of Black literature, the renaissance in Black literature, access and expanding conversations on race, identity, history and genre Each conference has built upon the previous one celebrating outstanding Black writers through the world.
Start Date: March 25, 2010
End Date: March 28, 2010
March 21, 2010
Title: 2010 BCALA National Conference
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Link: www.bcala.org
Description:
Black Caucus of the American Library Association’s
7th National Conference of African American Librarians
August 4–8, 2010
Sheraton Conference Center, Birmingham, Alabama
“Bridging the Divide with Information Access, Activism, and Advocacy”
Please follow the conference link below for information on conference and hotel registration,
tours, local attractions, program tracks, preliminary program, etc.
http://www.bcala.org/NCAAL_7/bcala_conf/index.html
Highlights include:
- Opening keynote speaker for the John Tyson Memorial Lecture is Dr. Terrence Roberts, a member of the Little Rock Nine who desegregated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. He is the author of Lessons from Little Rock and Simple, Not Easy: Reflections on Community, Social Responsibility, and Tolerance.
Roberts and his fellow Central High students received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP in 1958, the Congressional Gold Medal and other awards and acknowledgements for their contribution to civil rights history. Roberts received a bachelor’s degree from California State University at Los Angeles, a master’s degree in social work from the University of California at Los Angeles, and a doctorate in psychology from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
- Comedienne Kim Wayans, of the Wayans comedy family, and her husband, Kevin Knotts, authors of the children’s book All Mixed Up! (Amy Hodgepodge, No. 1), published by Grosset and Dunlap, 2008, one in a series of Amy Hodgepodge novels, will speak at one of the author luncheons.
- Join us for a memorable half day bus excursion of historic Birmingham which will include a visit to the renowned Birmingham Civil Rights District, the home of the City’s most famous landmarks: The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church-the site of the 1963 bombing where four little girls were killed and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. In close proximity to these landmarks is Kelly Ingram Park. The park served as a gathering place for demonstrations during the 1960s including the infamous ones where police dogs and fire hoses were turned on marchers. Other sites on the tour will include Angela Davis’ home and the Vulcan, the world’s largest cast iron statue which overlooks the “Magic City”.
Start Date: 2010-08-04
End Date: 2010-08-08
January 26, 2010
Special Guest Speakers -Include
Lydia Harris
” The Woman Behind Death Row Records”
&
Education Consultant
Anne Shoemaker
@
OASIS THEATRE
5100 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Friday May 21 – 6:30 p.m Til 10:30 p.m
Saturday May 22 – 10:00 a.m Til 2:00 p.m
Call: 323-900-9238 for Tickets
Tickets: $20.00
At The Door:$25.00
Tickets Available: 01/08/10
To Benefit: Keep A Child Alive & Generosity Water
Sponsored by: Books That Will Enhance Your Life™ Teen Success™
& Jon Jef Jam Entertainment™.
A Johnaandrews.com Production
January 11, 2010
Title: Los Angeles Black Book Expo
Location: Sheraton Gateway LAX Hotel
Description:
The Los Angeles Black Book Expo returns in a new venue for its sixth year. The Sheraton Gateway LAX Hotel is the host for the 2010 LABBX taking place on Saturday, August 21 from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM. “Empowering a New Generation Through Literature” is the LABBX’s theme for the year.
The annual literary celebration promises to feature lively panel discussions and workshops with topics such as publishing, urban lit, health, relationships, cultural issues, spirituality, creative writing and marketing tips for aspiring authors.
Spoken Worlds includes poetry readings with an open mic and featured artists. The Children’s Literary Zone presents storytellers, arts and crafts and fun for the entire family with established children’s book authors.
General event information including author and exhibitor applications will be made available on the Expo’s website, http://labbx.com in the following weeks. Interested participants may also call 323-718-5678 or email at blackbookexpo@gmail.com.
Detailed information on all upcoming activities will be posted on the LABBX website. Volunteers are invited to assist LABBX committee members. Potential sponsors are encouraged to contact the Expo at 323-718-5678 or info@labbx.com.
Future news involving the Expo and related programs will be posted on the LABBX website and blog.
The Sheraton Gateway LAX Hotel is located on 6101 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
About the Los Angeles Black Book Expo
The Los Angeles Black Book Expo through its fiscal sponsor, Amen-Ra Community Assembly of California, Inc. (Amen-Ra Theological Seminary) is a 501(c) (3) organization. It began on June 2004 to celebrate the written word, promote literacy and to showcase new and established authors, storytellers, spoken word artists, children\’s book authors, emerging writers, publishers, booksellers, editors and book reviewers local and nationwide.
Date: 2010-08-21
Start Time: 10:00am
End Time: 6:00pm
December 14, 2009
Title: American Library Association 2010 Annual Conference
Location: Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
Website: www.ala.org
Description: Opening General Session Featuring Toni Morrison
Saturday, June 26, 5:30- 6:30 pm
Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize winning American author, editor and professor. Her contributions to the modern canon are numerous. Some of her acclaimed titles include: The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. Her newest books for children are Peeny Butter Fudge and Little Cloud and Lady Wind.
Sponsored by Simon and Schuster
Start Date: June 24, 2010
End Date: June 26, 2010
December 13, 2009
Title: 2010 AAMBC National Conference
Location: Chicago
Description: AAMBC presents the AAMBC National Meeting, a black author literary event that will be held June 12, 2010, in Chicago, Illinois.
The event will cater to the AAMBC Organization, fellow book clubs across the nation, and new and seasoned authors throughout the United States. Attendees will experience a family-oriented atmosphere and a social gathering that will build great connections with nationally and locally recognized authors and publishers. This is the 2nd annual event and it is sure to please, with a mixture of nationally best selling authors and independent authors alike. This year, the event takes place in one full day of fun-filled book signings, poerty showcases, beauty tips, and book club themes.
AAMBC, which stands for African Americans on the Move Book Club, is pleased to host a highly anticipated literary event that will bring readers and authors together in a more personal setting. To experience great food, music, book signings, and build new relationships, all while in the great city of Chicago, register today!
Date: June 12, 2010
November 8, 2009
Title: Black Writers Reunion and Conference
Location: Atlanta
Link: http://www.blackwriters.org/
Description: Established in 2000, the Black Writers Reunion & Conference is well known for its engaging workshop presenters, outstanding topics, inspirational ambience, and professional organization. While BWRC does not discriminate against participants of any race, BWRC is the only touring conference with the added cultural bonus of being presented both by and for Black writers.
BWRC’s mission is to educate, support, and motivate aspiring, emerging, and published writers. We promote and encourage artistic expression and growth through skill development in the art, craft, and business of creative writing in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama as well as business and career endeavors in professional writing. Through diverse workshops, seminars, critiquing services, pitching sessions, writing contests, and awards, we have brought together thousands of writers from around the world to study, develop new skills, learn advanced techniques, hone their crafts, boost confidence, earn recognition, make new friends and reconnect with old ones, gain new readers and fans, and share with each other the unique and unparalleled experience that has firmly established BWRC as one of the preeminent writing and publishing conferences in the country.
Start Date: 2010-06-23
End Date: 2010-06-26
October 28, 2009
Title: LosCon 36
Location: Los Angeles Airport Marriott
Website: http://www.loscon.org/36
Description:
LosCon 36, But Wait…There’s More! is the exploration of the diversity of Science Fiction. We are having a whole host of panels, workshops, and activities for you. The convention is organized into Theme Days and Programming Tracks in order for you to be able to easily find the special events and programs you will most enjoy.
Themes are: Friday – Horror, Saturday – Dress Like a Pirate Day, and Sunday – Honoring Writers and Artists
The Tracks are: Anime, Art, BEM’s & Aliens, Fantasy & Magic, Gaming, Heroes & Superheroes, Horror, Military & Historical, Myth & Legend, Proto-Science Fiction, Science & Technology, Speculative Fiction, and Writing.
We are very pleased to have authors Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes as our Writer Guests of Honor.
Start Date: November 27, 2009
End Date: November 29, 2009
August 6, 2009
Title: National Black Book Festival
Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston
Description: The National Black Book Festival (NBBF) is an annual event, sponsored jointly by Cushcity.com, the world’s largest African-American retailer online, and the Houston Black Expo, the largest African-American trade show in the state of Texas. The event is held in conjunction with the Houston Black Expo and attracts a wide array of authors, publishers, book clubs, libraries and individual readers from the Southwest U.S. and nationwide. NBBF 2010 will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, Texas in Hall D.
The event features a pavilion of authors, including those who are notable and new. Book signing and discussion sessions with featured authors, workshops and seminars, a spoken word poetry slam and book club give-aways are just a few of the exciting featured activities at NBBF. Authors will be grouped according to genre and there are 17 genres that will be represented.
The Festival is open to the public and admission is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children, each day.
The Festival schedule includes the following events (items with asterisk [*] are ticketed events which require ticket purchase in advance):
Friday, May 21, 2010 @ 7:00 p.m.
“Welcome to Houston” Reception*
Crowne Plaza Hotel – Downtown
1700 Smith St., Houston, TX
Friday, May 21, 2010 – 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Slumber Party w/Authors Brenda Jackson and Beverly Jenkins*
Ladies only – Must be 18 years of age
Crowne Plaza Hotel – Downtown
1700 Smith St., Houston, TX
Saturday, May 22, 2010 @ 9:00 a.m.
“Get Acquainted” Breakfast*
Sunday, May 22, 2010 @ 9:00 a.m.
Prayer Breakfast*
Sunday, May 22, 2010 – Time TBD
Spoken Word Poetry Slam
Start Date: May 21, 2010
End Date: May 23, 2010
