Today we have Joylynn Jossel, author of more than 19 works and executive editor of Urban Christian, a Kensington Publishing imprint.

When did you attend your first BWRC?

I attended the second annual BWRC that was in Dallas, Texas. It was actually the first writer’s conference that I had ever attended since publishing my first work, Please Tell Me if the Grass Is Greener. I had no idea what to expect, but once I arrived, I got far more than I bargained for. Walking through the door, I didn’t feel as though I was arriving to a conference; it felt more like a family reunion. I mean, we celebrated the world of literature in the spirit of love like true literary brothas and sistahs!

How many have you attended?

The one in Dallas was the only one that I have attended. To date, I don’t think I’ve attended a conference that could hold a candle to the BWRC. It was well planned and organized. Everything that was on the agenda to take place did. We walked away with an abundance of information. I still have hand outs from the conference that I refer to, to this day. I don’t care how long a writer has been in the literary game, you can never stop learning and you can always enhance what you’ve already learned.

What is your most memorable BWRC moment?

The most memorable moment for me was when I was so excited to get up in the morning and get dressed to head to my workshop, that I didn’t even realize I had put on mixed matched shoes until one of the other authors pointed it out to me-LOL. And do you think I was about to miss my workshop and go back to my room and change them?????????????

Have you networked with anyone at the conference and has that contact continued?

I still network with several authors from the conference. I have even been blessed enough to have done some writing collaborations with them that is featured in the book Twilight Moods.

Did you do any writing while attending the conference?

I don’t believe I did any writing outside of the notes I took in the workshops.

Has the BWRC helped you to accomplish any writing goals?

Has the BWRC helped me to accomplish any writing goals….how about all of ‘em!!! I can honestly say that I would not have advanced in the literary industry had it not have been for the quality of sharing I experienced through this group of people. When I joined the group, I had one self-published book. Now I have over 19 published works, two Essence Magazine bestsellers (Dollar Bill and If I Ruled the World), and five book deals (St. Martin’s Press (The Root of All Evil, When Souls Mate, An All Night Man, If I Ruled the World), Urban Books (Girls From Da Hood, WET, Summer Breeze, Mama, I’m in Love with a Gangsta), Just Us Books (The Secret Olivia Told Me), Random House (Street Chronicles) and Triple Crown Publications (Dollar Bill)). No longer an author of adult secular works, I now write children’s and young adult-humor books under the name N. Joy, and adult Christian fiction under the name E.N. Joy (Me, Myself & Him, Even Sinners Have Souls-Editor). Wearing the hat of a literary agent, I’m also the executive editor of Urban Christian, an imprint of Kensington Publishing house. So, thanks to everything that was instilled in me from BWRC, I’m still accomplishing literary goals. Some other goals I’ve accomplished are below:

Literary Awards Nominee-Best Erotica (2007)
Jolie Magazine Great Summer Reads (2006)
Featured in Top 100 Literary Divas (2006)
Borders Books Bestselling African American Romance
2006 Romance Writers of America Natl Conf.
Book Featured in Upscale Magazine (July 2005)
Featured in Booking Matters Magazine (Sept 2004)
Book Featured in Sister 2 Sister Mag. (July 2004)
Book Featured in Newsweek (June 2004)
Essence Magazine Best Seller (June 2004)
Essence Magazine Best Seller (April 2004)
Essence Magazine Best Seller (Dec 2005)
Notable works - Black Expressions Book Club (2004)
Savoir-Faire News (June 2003)
Best Self-Published Book of the Year by Black Issues Book Review for Twilight Moods (2002)
Galleria Eros Short Fiction Award Runner Up (2002)
Honorable Mention in Book List (2002)
Featured in Mocha Memoirs (2002)
Featured in The Monday Morning Word (2001)

What would you say about BWRC to influence someone who’s thinking about attending?

I’ve had my experience of, what authors tend to call, “chitlin’ writing conferences,” and you can best believe that the BWRC is not one of them. This is the real deal!

Anything else you’d like to add?

The information I obtained from the Black Writers Alliance over the years is priceless. The life long friendships I’ve made can never be measured. It was those friendships with genuine people, writers and published authors alike, that helped me to do what I do. I never felt like a lone self-published author as part of the online group because I was part of a group where mostly everyone was self-published. We were a true alliance, so in essence, I felt like I was with a publishing house. I took for granted nothing that I learned from those who were willing to share their struggles and mistakes. And everything I learned and experienced lives on today through me by sharing it with other writers that I encounter.

Joylynn Jossel
Website address: www.joylynnjossel.com

• Legal Matters That Matter to Writers
• How to Self-Publish & Market Your Own Book
• Dream It! Write It! Sell It!

For more information, visit www.blackwriters.org/program.