Ja Crunk Middlebrooks will be facilitating daily early morning meditation and yoga sessions at the 2008 Black Writers Reunion & Conference from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Meditation and Yoga for Writers is designed to help you awaken your muse through meditation. These sessions will show you how to tap into your inner creative source by beginning each day with a clear and focused mind through the practice of meditation. As physical exercise strengthens the body, so meditation does to strengthen the mind. Through the use of focused meditation one can learn to control thoughts and breathing while improving focus and concentration. Awaken your muse, let go of your stress, and channel your energy to work creatively in a well focused manner in preparation for a weekend of informative life changing, and career changing writer’s workshops.The Basic Yoga Instruction segment will enable you to start each day of the conference by integrating the environment, body, mind, and spirit into one. Begin your day with morning Sun Salutations, light stretching and a consecutive series of Yoga Asanas designed to stretch and strengthen the body. The goal is to relax, gain flexibility and to give into the experience and to embrace the benefits of Yoga. Yoga is a healthy alternative diversion for a writer to break up a busy day of writing while rejuvenating the body, mind, and spirit only to be able to return to one’s work with a fresh perspective.

Judith has been practicing Yoga and meditation for over 20 years and most recently participated in a one week Perfect Health experience and seminar at the Chopra Center for Wellness in Carlsbad, California where she participated in Primordial Sound Meditation in groups of up to 70 people daily. She was also afforded the opportunity of daily participation in the daily Vinyasa Yoga sessions led by one of the Ayurvedic Physicians at the Chopra Center for Wellness.

To learn more about Ja Crunk Middlebrooks, see her bio on the conference site. You may also visit the site to learn more about “Meditation & Yoga For Writers.”

Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo published her first book in 2005, The Ins and Outs of the Fashion Industry — From a Fashion Insider.  In addition, she recently became a fashion consultant for New Breed Films and fashion editor for He-Motions Magazine.

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When did you attend your first BWRC?

I attended the conference in Dallas in 2006.

How many have you attended?

I’ve only attended one.

What is your most memorable BWRC moment?

My most memorable moment was the first night mixer meeting and approaching some amazing individuals. We were all nervous at first but opened up within twenty minutes of the function.

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

Yes, I still keep in contact with about three of the writers who attended. Cards were given but I find many times some of us don’t know about the importance of follow-up. I met some great people but we got lost on the BWRC group site, so I don’t know what happened to some of the people or what they’re up to.

Did you do any writing while attending the conference?

I took in all the knowledge the speakers presented and I appreciated what they came with. I published my first book in 2005, so this conference was still very much needed. After the conference I started on my second book to hopefully be published in early 2008.

Has the BWRC helped you to accomplish any writing goals?

Wow! After the conference I was very busy due to my book “The Ins and Outs of the Fashion Industry – from a Fashion Insider.” I worked with a growing independent Black film company, New Breed Films, as the fashion consultant. The film was picked up by Time Warner Video, and won best feature film at Atlanta’s best Hip Hop Film Festival 2007. I also got a wonderful writing gig thanks to BWRC as the Fashion Editor for Jon Clarke Group’s new magazine “He-Motions- Magazine” which debuted in Fall 2007. I participated in Sormag’s on-line conference in August 2007 as a panelist on motivation. On top of this I’ve teamed up with a writing partner to offer fashion manufacturing symposiums in the local New York areas. Last year, I was rewarded with 2007 Million Dollar Woman Award by LaSmall Concierge Group in New York. Nice!

If you plan to attend the 2008 BWRC, what brings you back?

I would love to see what new speakers have to bring to the table, and mix and mingle and get encouraged yet again with a great group of people. We all need that hand away from home with people in that same creative mix. At times our friends and family may not really understand what the fuss is about in regards to writing and expressing oneself. And my motto is you must always surround yourself with positive, like-minded individuals to make your goals a reality and not a dream.

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

This is a great event to see Black writers, and soon-to-be writers, getting together to commence and relate to whatever struggles and adversities that may fall their way.  It is so important to have a forum like this to really test our flight in bringing the goal at hand to reality. Taking that trip, and being open to an uplifting and educating experience, is the first step in removing that shell and allowing greatness to open up. The comfort of BWRC is indeed a great step to becoming optimistic and becoming the best that you can be.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Networking is the key and I’ll continue to support organizations that bring clear and concise information to people such as me who thirst for it.

Thanks Yolanda! Hope to see you in Tampa!  For more information about Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo, check out the following sites:
Website: www.ybrunson.com
Blog: http://blackwriternew-dreams.blogspot.com/

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Don’t Miss “Confessions of a Preacher’s Wife”!
Friday, June 20, 2008 - 7:30 p.m.
Blake Performing Arts Academy High School Theatre
1701 North Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33607

Tickets to the gospel stage play “Confessions of a Preacher’s Wife” are available now on the website.  For more information, please visit www.blackwriters.org

Keeping it Reel w/ Bryan-Keyth is an Internet radio show that is taking off like a rocket. The show is hosted by entertainment industry guru Bryan-Keyth Wilson; newly dubbed the literary prince of the Faith Based & Urban Theatre.

We talk about what is going on in the faith based/secular entertainment industry, and the people that are making things happen. In our On the Reel Segment, we tackle the Hot Topics in the news, and industry exclusives. On Keeping Reel we tackle taboo issues, politics, news, fashion, film, books, music & more. In the past we have interviewed Spoken Word Artist Da Philosopha, Stylist to the Stars Kevin Sandles, and #1 Essence Best Selling Author Reshonda Tate-Billingsley. With have listeners from the West Coast to the East Coast we are on the move.

The show has an eclectic vibe that the listeners are falling in love with. “I tuned in to the show and I was totally floored and informed, I want to hear this show on my way to work, Yolanda Adams watch out, I am just keeping it reel, said Brandon Sterling.

On the show Bryan-Keyth is accompanied by co-host best-selling author Mikasenoja with visits from Deacon Brother Smooth and Sister Sunday School. Tune every Thursday as we tantalize the taste buds; soothe the soul and mesmerize the mind, on Keeping it Reel with Bryan-Keyth.

This Wednesday’s topic is: Inspiration Novels & the Women Who Write Them

Special Guests are: Cheryl Lacey Donovan author of Women What the Hell Are You Thinking, and #1 Essence Best-Selling Author ReShonda Tate-Billingsley, author of, The Pastor’s Wife, Everybody Say Amen, I Know I’ve Been Changed, and My Brother’s Keeper. The show airs each Wednesday at 10 p.m. CST. Tune in at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/B-Keyth.

We encourage you to call in and join us on the cyber couch.

The call in number is (347) 945-5543, and you can visit us on the web at:

www.blogtalkradio/b-keyth

or

www.bryan-keyth.t83.net

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.

Join BWRC presenter Anita Bunkley at 8:00 p.m. CST on February 19, 2008 for a live chat on her first virtual book tour featuring her latest releases, BETWEEN GOODBYES & SUITE EMBRACE.  Register today at www.niapresentsanita.com/register.html.  Visit Anita’s website at www.anitabunkley.com.

Interview with Everett Prewitt

When did you attend your first BWRC?

I attended my first conference in Dallas in 2001.

What is your most memorable BWRC moment?

The most memorable moment was sitting with Tananarive Due, an accomplished author, and a very nice person. I also enjoyed conversing with Stephen Barnes, her husband.

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

I visited Carol Taylor in New York to get her feedback on some of my writing. She was very gracious. I decided not to pursue writing in the genre I discussed with her though, and took another path.

Did you do any writing while attending the conference?

Yes. There’s a certain energy at these conferences that compels you to write. I was also inspired by the accomplishments of other who freely shared their ideas and experiences.

Has the BWRC helped you to accomplish any writing goals?

Yes. I learned so much that I was able to self-publish Snake Walkers in 2005. Since then I’ve obtained an agent. Snake Walkers has won four first place awards and received the Bronze award in General Fiction from ForeWord Magazine. It was also honored by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.

If you plan to attend the 2008 BWRC, what brings you back?

First, the conference was well run. Secondly, I made so many great contacts that I hope to see again at the upcoming conference. Thirdly, I’m very interested in meeting new writers, sharing my experiences with others, and getting inspiration to write my next book.

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

If you are serious about writing, you need to be around others that are just as serious. BWRC is a well run conference that has something for everybody from the neophyte to the published writer. I learned something at every workshop I attended and with almost every conversation I had with the participants. It is definitely a worthwhile event.

Everett Prewitt
Snake Walkers
Website address: www.eprewitt.com