FAQs
About BWRC
Q: What is BWRC?
A: BWRC is the Black Writers Reunion & Conference, a national touring conference founded in 2000 to educate and improve the skills of aspiring to intermediate writers and editors by offering a broad range of sessions and workshops on the art and craft of creative, freelance, and professional writing.
Q: Where has BWRC been held?
A: 2000: Atlanta, Georgia; 2001 & 2006: Dallas, Texas; 2008: Tampa, Florida; and 2009: Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2010, BWRC returned to Atlanta, the site of our first conference ten years ago. The 2012 conference will be held in Fort Lauderdale.
Q: How are locations selected for future conferences?
A: BWRC has traditionally been held across the southern U.S. Plans are in motion to expand internationally beginning in 2013. Bids are solicited from appealing destinations and venues and selected based on accommodations, rates, and overall value for attendees.
Q: What do I get for my conference registration fee?
A: The budget-conscious registration fee includes access to all open workshops and sessions (generally 27-35), the breakfast, Senses at Sunrise, Poetry Slam, and Sex on the Beach (erotic fiction readings at sunset). Registered attendees may also apply to present their own poetry and erotica during the two latter events.
Registration
Q: Is there an age requirement to attend?
A: There is no age nor publication requirement to attend Black Writers Reunion & Conference. We offer information and encouragement to writers of all ages who endeavor to pursue their creative writing dreams. We also offer full conference scholarships (the Young Writers Award) and encourage high school and college students to apply and attend.
Q: Must one be a published writer to attend?
A: Definitely not. The conference is geared toward writers of all levels of experience. Our sessions range from interactive workshops on the craft of writing to help aspiring writers to understand the fundamentals to how to pitch a finished manuscript to an agent or publisher to best practices for marketing your work to readers. Each full workshop description on the site will include an advisory which indicates whether the session is best suited for beginners, intermediate or advanced writers.
Q: What expenses should I expect to have in order to attend BWRC 2012?
A: Registration, lodging, transportation, and dining. There are no hidden or other fees associated with the conference; however, you may also want to bring money for buying books and other items from authors and vendors and souvenirs and other items from local shops.
Q: Does the full conference registration fee include the hotel room?
No. Accommodations at Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and Spa are $129 per night plus 11% hotel room tax and are separate from the conference registration fee. Upgrades to oceanview rooms are available for additional charge. Contact the hotel directly to make your room reservation. See Accommodations for more information.
Q: Can I register at the door?
A: Limited (workshops only) walk-up registration may be available on-site at the conference provided space is available. We do not guarantee, however, that on-site registration will be offered and strongly recommend that you register in advance if you would like to attend.
Q: Will I receive confirmation of my paid registration?
Online registrations will receive instant confirmation of payment via e-mail. If you do not receive your payment receipt within 24 hours, please contact us and include the name of the registrant as well as the credit card owner (if different), the amount submitted, and the date. Payments by mail will receive confirmation at the email address provided on the registration form within 10 business days or via postal mail within 21 days if no email address is provided.
Attendance
Q: Do I have to sign up in advance for the specific workshops I wish to attend?
A: Yes. To ensure we have ample seating, BWRC attendees preregister for workshops beginning in July. All registrants will receive email notifications that preregistration has opened along with details and deadline for getting yours submitted.
Q: What does my registration fee pay for?
A: Revenues from registration fees goes toward conference/meeting room space rental fees, lodging and other expenses for workshop presenters, speakers, agents, and editors, printing, supplies, audio/visual equipment, catered events, and marketing.
Q: Does my registration include admission to the “Telling Your Tale” workshop?
A: Admission to Angela Benson’s Telling Your Tale workshop at the African American Heritage Research & Cultural Center is not included with full conference registration. The cost is $10 per person.
Q: I will be unavailable during part of the conference. Am I required to attend the whole event?
A: You aren’t required to attend any specific portion of the conference; however, no refunds or adjustments can be offered for partial attendance. You should also be aware that the hotel will assess charges if you check out before your scheduled departure date.
Q: What if I need to cancel?
A: Cancellations must be submitted in writing. Cancellation fees will apply as outlined on registration materials.
Q: How should I dress for the conference?
A: Business casual attire is recommended. The poetry slam and erotic readings events are more informal; summer/poolside attire will be appropriate. We also recommend you bring casual clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
Q: May I use my laptop in workshops and sessions?
A: Laptops are allowed in most sessions and workshops; however, certain sessions may prohibit the use of laptops. An announcement will be made at the beginning of open sessions by the workshop monitor or speaker if laptops are allowed in that session. Where laptops are allowed, we ask that you mute the sound to minimize distractions to speakers and other attendees. Laptops must be battery-powered as electrical outlets will not be available in the meeting rooms for laptop use.
Q: May I bring food or beverages into workshops and sessions?
A: Beverages are allowed in sessions, but we request that attendees not bring food into the workshops as some food items can be distracting (e.g. aroma, noisy packaging, crunchy).
Q: If I’m more than 10 minutes late getting to my workshop and the monitor won’t let me in, do I get a refund?
A: Refunds are not issued for late arrivals to workshops. If you are more than 10 minutes late, your seat will be forfeited. This policy is in place to deter distraction to the speaker and attendees who arrived on time.
Opportunities
Q: I’m interested in exhibitor opportunities with BWRC.
A: Exhibitor space is available at the host hotel on both full conference days from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Exhibitor registration will begin February 1.
Q: I’d like to offer my audiovisual/photography/videography services for the next BWRC.
A: These contract positions have been assigned.
Tips for Attendees
Q: What do I bring to the conference?
- Comfortable professional (business casual) attire
- Notebook and pens and/or laptop, digital recorders or other supplies/equipment for taking notes
- A one-sentence summary of what your book is about (memorize it!)
- Knowledge of the presenters (take some time to read their bios on the website, interviews and profiles in the BWRC blog, and visit their websites)
- Business cards with information such as your name, email and website addresses, title(s) of current books, writers’ groups/organizations joined, photo, etc.
- Writing samples such as clips, a work-in-progress or manuscript
- Materials specific to agent/editor pitching sessions if you sign up to participate.
BWRC tote bags and name badges will be provided upon check-in, but you are welcome to bring your own unique badge or bag if you wish.
Additional FAQs will be added as needed. If you have a question that is not yet answered here, feel welcome to contact us and we will be happy to assist.
