Volume 7 · Issue 4

Countdown to BWRC 2010 ATLANTA!

77 days until the next BWRC!

Can you believe Black Writers Reunion & Conference 2010 is JUST over TWO MONTHS away?

Reminder! Early registration ends on April 30. After April 30, registration rates will increase $50. Take advantage of our payment plan by registering today with a $150 deposit toward your registration and paying the balance by May 15. Don’t miss the awesome workshops, contests, vendors, and networking events taking place at the W Atlanta Perimeter Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia from Wednesday, June 23 to Saturday, June 26, 2010. For more information or to register, see Registration.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Exhibitor Deadline Looms
• Scholarship Open Application Period Ends
• More Workshop Descriptions Added
• Register Now For Story & Structure Saturday Class
• One-Day Conference Registration Available
• Hilton All-Suites Property Offers $99 Group Rate to BWRC Attendees
• Enterprise & National Discount Car Rentals for BWRC Group
• “So You Wanna Write” Workshop Registration Open
• Deadline Extended for Give Me Five” Writing Competition
• Black Writers Alliance
• BWRC Fam News from Bonita Penn
• BWRC Fam News from Nakia Laushaul

IMPORTANT DATES

April 30: Early registration ends
May 20: Discounted Hilton rate expires
May 31: Give Me Five Contest Entry Deadline
June 2: Discounted W Hotel rate expires
June 14: Advance registration ends

FROM THE BWRC BLOG

* “15 Things I Learned at BWRC” (http://www.blackwriters.org/15-things-i-learned-at-bwrc/)
* Marcie Eanes Finds New Comfort Zone at BWRC (http://www.blackwriters.org/meane/)
* Monique Mensah: “BWRC = Tons of Resources & Connections” (http://www.blackwriters.org/mmensah/)
* Nakia Laushaul Finds Path to Her Dream at BWRC (http://www.blackwriters.org/nlaushaul/)
* Sophia Simmons Aspires Higher After BWRC (http://www.blackwriters.org/ssimmons/)
* Tracie Christian Shares Achievements & Accolades for BWRC (http://www.blackwriters.org/tchristian/)

SCHOLARSHIP OPEN APPLICATION PERIOD ENDS

The 2010 BWRC Scholarship Application period is now closed. More than 20 scholarship applications have been received. Winners are selected based on applicants’ skills, abilities, accomplishments, and promise as writers and contributors to the literary community. Scholarship recipients’ names will be announced by April 30. Thank you to all who applied.

EXHIBITOR DEADLINE LOOMS

Time is running out for author exhibitors wanting to participate in the 2010 BWRC Author Expo. Register by April 20 to secure your space and submit your exhibitor registration form to be provided to our bookseller, Eklectiks Books. See http://www.blackwriters.org/get-involved/exhibiting/ for details.

MORE WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS ADDED

Gwynne Forster’s Scene & Setting, Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes’ Dialogue & Style and Point of View, Vincent Alexandria’s From Book to Film, Tonya Evans’ Legal Matters that Matter to Writers and Stacy Hawkins Adams’ Developing Emotion in Fiction have been added to the Workshops page. Alternate workshops on ghostwriting, children’s book writing, and recipe/cookbook writing will be added within the next few weeks.

Can you imagine being in a room surrounded by people that have the same love and high regard for writing as you? Before BWRC, I never imagined such a place either, but it exists. Come experience it for yourself. Don’t sit at home another year and wish you were in those pics on the BWRC website learning and laughing. We find the time and resources to do so many other things in life that will bring a fraction of the amount of gratification this conference will, so don’t let that be your excuse. Don’t worry about being lonely when you get there; it won’t be long before you become one of the family. Click Registration and prepare to walk into your future. I can’t wait to meet you at the next conference! – Nakia Laushaul

ONE-DAY CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE

Able to attend only one day of the conference? One-day registration is now open. Peruse the Schedule and visit Registration to reserve your Thursday or Friday slot.

REGISTER NOW FOR STORY & STRUCTURE SATURDAY CLASS

Dr. Venise Berry, Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication and African American Studies at the University of Iowa and award-winning author of three bestselling novels, SO GOOD, ALL OF ME, and COLORED SUGAR WATER, will present an intensive four-hour workshop titled “Story and Structure in Novel Writing” as a post-conference workshop at the upcoming BWRC.

Story and Structure in Novel Writing will focus on helping participants construct a viable plot and effective storyline for your novel. Specifically by focusing on structural development you will leave the course with a clear vision of how to write your novel. Discussions will also provide helpful hints and strategies about other key components like dialogue, characterization, description, visual style, conflict, motivation and marketability. Depending on the time allotted and number of students, exercises concerning the novel premise, characterization and narrative will be completed within a workshop format. This workshop can help writers at all stages whether you have only an idea in your head or if your manuscript is complete, but you’d like to strengthen your story and structure.

The Story and Structure in Novel Writing workshop takes place on Saturday, June 26, 2010, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The cost of the workshop is $99. Register now.

More Extended Workshops…

»Writing the Nonfiction Book with Dr. Anita Heiss
»Start Your Own Editing Firm with Michelle Chester

HILTON ALL-SUITES PROPERTY OFFERS $99 GROUP RATE TO BWRC ATTENDEES

With rooms at the W expected to sell out within the next week or so, the Hilton Suites Atlanta Perimeter Hotel is offering spacious two-room suites to BWRC attendees at the incredible rate of $99 per night. Located within a mile of the BWRC 2010 host hotel, complimentary shuttle transportation is available between properties. For more information or to reserve your room, see Hilton Accommodations.

ENTERPRISE & NATIONAL DISCOUNT CAR RENTALS FOR BWRC GROUP

Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rentals join the BWRC family, offering discounted car rentals for 2010 conference attendees. Click the logo above to book your reservation.

“SO YOU WANNA WRITE”?

Have you ever felt like you have a gift for writing and wanted to write a book but didn’t know where to start? Renee Daniel Flagler will present a free crash course in writing basics. This free workshop covers the basics of the writing process, including writing techniques, writing styles, theme, character development and plotting. Although the material discussed in this sessions is helpful to all writers, it is extremely helpful to new and aspiring writers. Register today to secure your spot in this session. Note: Session is not open to conference registrants.

WIN UP TO $200 IN THE “GIVE ME FIVE” WRITING COMPETITION

Write 5 pages of fiction or screenplay treatment for a chance to win up to $200! For details, see Give Me Five. Deadline extended to May 31.

BLACK WRITERS ALLIANCE

Black Writers Alliance is a nonprofit, volunteer-based literary arts association dedicated to furthering the craft and vocation of creative and professional writing and editing. BWA serves its members and the community at-large by providing educational programs, resources, opportunities, and literary events that promote higher standards for the written word while enhancing awareness of the realities of the business side of writing.

Committed to the professional growth and development of Black writers, BWA provides a stellar forum for instruction and study of the craft of writing for publication and career for all interested individuals by bringing together authors, editors, poets, screenwriters, copywriters, proofreaders, and others in a craft-focused, business-oriented, results-driven annual conference. BWA also facilitates networking throughout the year with online forums and writers’ groups.

Membership in the Black Writers Alliance helps support the continued growth, development, and stability of our educational programs and our ability to facilitate opportunities and greater support for young, new, emerging, and established writers.

Are you serious about becoming a writer, editor, or literary entrepreneur?
Are you looking for encouragement and support from a network of other Black writers?
Do you want to be part of an organization known for its top-notch educational programs?
Would you like to “give back” to and share your experience and knowledge with a family of writers?

Click to learn more about Membership and to join.

http://www.blackwriters.org/membership/

BWRC FAM NEWS

Bonita Penn (The Soul Pitt) Interviews Fonzworth Bentley about The Pepsi Refresh Project

In support of the Pepsi Refresh Project, Pepsi is collaborating with notable musical artists and personalities Asher Roth, Fonzworth Bentley, and Ryan Leslie on the Pepsi Idea Seminar, a program designed to provide local youth with tools and skills to develop ideas that will have a positive impact on their communities. The Pepsi Refresh Project will give away over $20 million in grants this year to fund ideas from people, businesses, and non-profits that will help move the world forward.

Pittsburgh was the chosen site on Saturday, March 20, 2010, and during the event Soul Pitt’s Bonita Penn interviewed Fonzworth Bentley about the program. Check out her exclusive video interview.

Nakia Laushaul Releases Her First Book, THE TRUTH AS I SEE IT: IN POETRY & PROSE

Nakia Laushaul poetically gathered myths and misconceptions about life that threaten to hold the heart captive into her first bound collection titled THE TRUTH AS I SEE IT: IN POETRY & PROSE. She expresses her views of The Truth about Me and You, Love, God, and Life in powerful poems that make the truth look painfully simple and prose that tenderly draws you into the world as she sees it. THE TRUTH AS I SEE IT: IN POETRY & PROSE beautifully fuses together the key elements to living life more freely. Out of pain and anger comes healing. Out of despair and disappointment comes hope. Out of the darkness of lies comes the truth. For more info, visit www.nakiarlaushaul.com.

http://www.blackwriters.org