BWRC began as the annual gathering for members of the African American Online Writers Guild, an Internet-based association of aspiring and published creative writers founded in 1998, to facilitate our coming together to network in person and share knowledge and information on the craft and business of writing for publication.

BWRC 2000

The inaugural event, held August 2000 in Atlanta, was co-chaired by Charene Thornton, Nicki Hand, and Tia Ross. Highlights included the keynote speech by Evelyn Palfrey, the Inspirational Sunday Brunch speech by Dr. Arlene Churn, and the first Gold Pen Awards ceremony with award presentations punctuated by dramatic performances from acclaimed stage director Terrence Spivey. Speakers included Rochelle Alers, Vincent Alexandria, Ta-Shia Asanti, Angela Benson, Monica Blache, A’Lelia Bundles, K. Campbell, Evelyn Coleman, Gwynne Forster, Daryl Green, Donna Hill, Caron Knauer, Timmothy McCann, Deirdre Savoy, Tia Ross, Mack Smith, Terrence Spivey, Margie Walker, Saleem Abdal-Khaaliq, Padmore Agbemabiese, Monica Jackson, Francis Ray, Tracy Price-Thompson, Marrissa Dick, and Jacquelin Thomas. Staff members included Monica Blache, Nicki Hand, and Tonya King.

BWRC 2001

The 2001 conference was held in North Dallas, Texas, August 4-6, at the elegant Renaissance Dallas North Hotel (now a Doubletree). The keynote speech was given by Robert Fleming and the Inspirational Sunday Brunch by Nathasha Brooks-Harris. Gold Pen Awards Ceremony boasted performances again directed by Terrence Spivey and written by Ta’Shia Asanti followed by a soiree.

Presenters included Deatema Abdul-Latif, Rochelle Alers, Vincent Alexandria, Ta’Shia Asanti, Steven Barnes, Nathasha Brooks-Harris, Keino Campbell, Evelyn Coleman, Tananarive Due, Brian Egeston, Tonya Marie Evans Esq., Robert Fleming, Gwynne Forster, Sharon Ewell Foster, Tracy Grant, Daryl Green, Donna Hill, Althea Hughes, Brenda Jackson, Norma Jarrett, Sandra Kitt, Francis Ray, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Deirdre Savoy, Tia Ross, Sara Freeman Smith, Terrence Spivey, Carol Taylor, Maxine Thompson, Margie Walker, Pat G’Orge Walker, Pam Walker-Williams, Donna Marie Williams, and Nancy Flowers Wilson. Staff members included Monica Blache, Adrienne Starkey, Kimberly Hines, and Tonya (Journey) King.

BWRC 2006

After a five-year ‘hiatus,’ the BWRC returned by continuing popular demand. The 2006 conference was held in Dallas, Texas, at the Radisson Hotel. Speakers included Vincent Alexandria, Dr. Venise Berry, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Nathasha Brooks-Harris, Anita Bunkley, Tonya Marie Evans Esq., Gwynne Forster, Marilynn Griffith, Chris Howell, Deatri King-Bey, Gail Johnson, Mondella Jones, Shana Murph, Evelyn Palfrey, Eric Pete, Deirdre Savoy, Kat Smith, Mack and Sara Smith, Stormy Steele, and Pam Walker-Williams.

BWRC 2008

The 2008 conference was held in the heart of downtown Tampa, Florida, at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel on June 19-21.

Presenters and staff included (top row from left): Daryl Green, Vincent Alexandria, N. Kali Mincy, Gwynne Forster, Michelle Chester, G. Francis Johnson, Anita Heiss, Jacqualyn Green, Mack Smith, Patricia Haley. Second row: Mr. Matthew, Michelle Gipson, Kimberly Yancy, William R. Patterson, Monica Blache, Arthuretta Martin, Neecha Turner. Seated: Tonya Evans-Walls, Esq., Jewell Parker Rhodes, Tia Ross, Sara Freeman-Smith, Mondella Jones. Not shown: Yasmin Coleman, Bryan-Keyth Wilson, Mike Matteo, and Barbara Joe-Williams.

Workshops were offered on Writing Effective Dialogue: The Key to Great Fiction, The Writer’s Journey: From Idea to Finished Draft to Publication, Research Methods & Techniques for Fiction and Nonfiction, Work Smarter, Not Harder: Save Time & Add Value to Fiction Through Character Development, Page By Page: Using Scene and Sequel to Plot Your Novel, So You Want to Write for Children, Creating The Poet: Exploring the Craft and Business of Poetry, Writing a Play: The Art of Telling Our Stories, Writing Christian Fiction: Ministry vs. Entertainment, Writing a Nonfiction Book That Sells, Spiritual Resilience for Writers, Word Tricks for Word Artists, From Self-Published to Published with a Major House, Nine Things Every Writer Should Know About the Law, Working With Literary Agents, Four P’s of Self-Publishing, CyberSpace Book Promotions and Publicity…Making it Work for You!, Mistakes First-Time Authors Make (How to Avoid Them), Pens Down: Time to Market Your Book, Expanding Your Book Market, Secrets of Successful Query Letter Writing, Beyond the Box: Writing the Great Screenplay, Writing Effective Promotional Copy for Your Business, From Hobby to Career: Crafting an Exit Strategy to Write Full Time, Proposal Writing, S.P.E.A.K.: Sensational, Powerful, Engaging, Authoritative Keys to Public Presentation, Start Your Own Business, Technical Writing, and From Writer to Editor: Copyediting Principles That Work.