Black Author Showcase

Agents of Literary Change

A cooperative learning, teaching and supporting community for anyone who helps bring a book to life. A network for authors, readers, publishers, photographers, librarians, reviewers, graphic designers, editors, ghostwriters, agents, and others.

Members

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Events

100 Poets Project 08
May 13, 2008 at 9pm – www.iRockTalkRadio.com
Urban Nights w/The Soul of the Pen
May 16, 2008 at 5:30pm – Dayton Cultural Center
Desire My Dream Productions
May 17, 2008 at 9pm – The 40/40 Club
Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center's Poetry Night
May 29, 2008 at 7pm – Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center
The Enemy Between My Legs Book Signing
May 31, 2008 at 2:30pm – Shrine of the Black Madonna Bookstore
BEA/LABBX Reception, May 31
May 31, 2008 at 5pm – 626 Art Gallery

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Groups

Erotica Writers Group (7 members)
Comic Books & Graphic Novels (17 members)

The Critique Castle (17 members)
Horror/Speculative Fiction Writers (18 members)

Publishers (19 members)
Readers & Book Clubs (33 members)

Editors/Copy Editors/ Proofreaders (15 members)
What's The Book In You? (20 members)

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RSS

Diaz Wins Fiction Pulitzer

Junot Diaz has just won the Pulitzer for "distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Awarded to "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz (Riverhead Books). The Pulitzer Prizes

Wow! This is one of my favorites in the past year. This is a first novel based on a short story first published in the New Yorker.

Woo hoo - doin' the happy dance for Junot. And the 10k doesn't hurt either.

Great Author's Bookmark Idea

Author Chris Crutcher has a great idea that also saves money on his webpage. He has uploaded his newest bookmark (front and back). The beauty of this particular bookmark? While most authors create new bookmarks for each new book they write and promote, Crutcher has chosen to promote himself - the story writer.

It's a awesome concept and if I'm late on the train, so what! He never needs another bookmark. On one side it has an outstretched photo of him with the phrase "I feel a story coming on . . ." and on the reverse is his headshowt and contact information. Brilliant!

Don't totally copy or plagerize it, but please use the concept. And give Chris his props. Check out his site here:
Author, Chris Crutcher - Homepage

More…

Special Offer for Metro DC Authors - Limited Time Only

Kea Taylor, photographer and owner of IMAGINE photography in Washington, DC has agreed to a special deal for authors participating in next week's Black Author Showcase at Howard University Continuing Education.

We would like to extend this offer to our fellow members of the online Black Author Showcase.

Special Author Headshot Package - $150/person includes:
• On location, she will take about 10 shots.
• Retouching of one photo
• The image on CD and/or emailed to the author.

This is a great offer because of the custom retouching and the author immediately owns the image on CD to put on websites, book covers and media kits. Kea normally charges $299 for a headshot shoot. This special price is for the October 19th event only.

She has great experience with authors & book covers – I’ve uploaded the Motley Fool’s cover and Trice Hickman’s Unexpected Interruptions as examples.

If you would like to participate in this offer, please contact me immediately (by noon Monday, October 15th) and I will get you on the appointment roster for the 19th.

Diane Williams
Director, Black Author Showcase
443-483-4261
info@BlackAuthorShowcase.com
www.blackauthorshowcase.com

Poetry Project Updates

We celebrated by National Poetry Month by posting a member poem each day in April on the Main page. BAS also hosted a live poetry panel podcast on April 23rd with our member poets to read and discuss their work and offer advice for aspiring writers.

It was received so well by the community that we have decided to have a live poetry show each month. On the call and at the last offline Black Author Showcase, we asked for hosts for this new show. I am extremely happy with the responses - I'M PUTTING YOU ALL TO WORK!!! LOL

Tahanee, the creator of the 'Urban fiction/ Street fiction / Short stories and Poetry' group was first to volunteer. Her sister, Samiyyah is currently finishing broadcasting school so it seemed like a great idea to team them up (and besides they are just soooooo cute! Faces NOT made for radio, but for tv).

The Poetry Netcast will be held once a month and will be recorded and available on this site, Talkshoe, and on iTunes.
The show now needs a structure, time, content and of course - member participation. That's where YOU come in! What is the best time for a live show (considering our West Coast members)? What is the best day? Do you have any ideas for themes? Would you like to talk about poetry, our history as poets,it's relation to music, have a 15 minute slam on every show, compare styles, old school, traditional, whatever? Want to discuss publishing your poetry? Advise how you did it? The sky's the limit. This is your show. Take control.

Please tell us what you think will make the show exciting. Email ideas and suggestions to: ThePoetryproject@BlackAuthorShowcase.com

All poets who participated in Poetry Month will be included in the inaugural Black Author Showcase Poetry Annual to be published this summer by 22nd Century Press. We are excited about bringing new verses and poets to the world. All participating authors will receive a letter outlining the publication. It will include thirty-one poems.

We would also like to include the works of several artists on the site and need artwork for the cover. If you wish to submit artwork, email ThePoetryproject@BlackAuthorShowcase.com

This information will only be posted on the Main page for ten days. After that period, you find it in the new Article Forum: BAS Projects. You will also be able to leave your suggestions and ideas on that forum.

Black Author Showcase Member of the Month

The April Member of the Month is Yasmin Coleman.

Yasmin is the Founder of APOOO (A Place of Our Own) located at www.apooo.org
APOOO is an online author and reader community dedicated to advancing African American literature. Home of Dera's Den, Reviews, Discussion Guides, 100 Essential AA Books list, In The Limelight!, Unsung Authors, and more than we have room to list here. Check out the website for details.

You can now hear the recorded Black Author Showcase Member of the Month podcast featuring Yasmin Coleman, the founder of the APOOO Book club. See how the club is wrapping up National Poetry Month and find out future plans.

Click on the the play button to listen right now!

The next live call is today, May 28th. Phone Number: (724) 444-7444Call ID: 11955
Don't forget our free book giveaway! Click below to go right to the call online.

Greetings

Blog Posts

Review | 'Desiree's Baby' by Kate Chopin

Desiree's Baby Kate Chopin Commuter Library, May 1994 ISBN: 188304913X Desiree's Baby was the first of many short stories I've enjoyed by Kate Chopin, a forerunner of the femi… Continue

Posted by Marlive Harris on May 1st, 2008 at 2:05am — 2 Comments (Add)

It's My Birthday & I Can't Keep Secrets Anyway!!!

The surprise for our BAS Poetry Month poets is that they will all be included in the inaugural Black Author Showcase Annual Poetry chapbook to be published by 22nd Century Press. Yea!!! We were so impressed with the level of participation, we hope to do this every year and bring new verses and introduce new poets to the world. At the end of the month, all participating authors will receive a letter outlining the publication. It will include thirty-one poems (I have one double day) and we hope t… Continue

Posted by Diane on April 21st, 2008 at 2:59pm — 6 Comments (Add)

AUTHORS, YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED!!!!!

SBS is strongly involed in the Children Miricale Network! Most of our members and antendees either worked for Wal-Mart or still do where we learned and appreicated the value of the CMN. SBS is currently participating in an event in LaGrange, GA. Actually it'll be multiple events. These events include, but not limited to a yard sale, basketball and softball tourments, book baskets, mother's/father's day baskets, bowling tourment (hosted by another store). We still want to encourage all ages, rac… Continue

Posted by SBS BOOK CLUB on April 19th, 2008 at 10:02pm — No Comments (Add)

Articles

That Woman is Me....

It’s raining outside and I can hear the thunder Her minds drifts into confusion anger and wonder Empty promises, broken dreams, all lie within Searching for peace, afraid to move forward living in ... Continue

Started by Business Support by Mittie 10 hours ago

How 'Big' of a Writer Are You?
2 Replies

Answer honestly - to yourself. Do you think that anything you write should be immediately published? Are you really open to constructive criticism? Would you recognize constructive criticism, if gi... Continue

Tagged: writing, learning, creativity, lessons, editing

Started by Diane. Last reply by Anthony Beal 16 hours ago.

The Secrets Of Self Publishing (A Booklet To Guide You)

The booklet is available for pre-order on amazon.com Signed copies are also available right now before it releases. You can either pay by paypal or by sending a postal money order. Postal Money Or... Continue

Tagged: self-publishing, writing, books, authors, publicity

Started by Therone Shellman 1 day ago

Please learn more about Amistad Books: www.amistadconfidential.blogspot.com
3 Replies

Hello, I work for Amistad Press, home to many fine Black authors of fiction and non-fiction. I discuss the publishing industry specifically as it relates to black authors at www.amistadconfidentia... Continue

Started by Masked Editor. Last reply by Enoch Mubarak 13 hours ago.

Authors: Need a synopsis or query letter for you new book?
2 Replies

Greetings writers! You've finished your book now you want to send it off to agents and publishers; You need a synopsis and query letter! Business Support by Mittie offers this service because som... Continue

Started by Business Support by Mittie. Last reply by Business Support by Mittie 1 day ago.

May is Haitian Heritage Month

Are you aware of the many writers from Haiti? Edwidge Danticat is one. List them and the books you have enjoyed by them (or intend to read) in the comments to this article. You will also find infor... Continue

Tagged: poets, literena, heritage, haitian, african

Started by Black Author Showcase 1 day ago

Writers’ Groups and Resources for Moms

In today's world there is a niche or affinity group for everyone. Moms that write are no different and definitely have lots of web resources. You'll find forums, magazines, blogs, and lots of commi... Continue

Tagged: moms, forums, groups, writer, author

Started by Black Author Showcase May 10

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO THE UNFORGOTTEN MOTHERS (DAD)

Mother's Day is a day of honor and recognition. Being a mother is a hard job. You can walk around for 9 months and then go through hours of sweat and pain. Then they'll call you Mom. You don't have... Continue

Tagged: mothers, dads, day, forgotten

Started by Clevette Harris May 10

Need a banner to promote your book?
2 Replies

Custom Graphics Design by LHenry Banner advertising is a great way to showcase your website, book, product, or service. Do you need a banner? Graphics Design Services Available by LaShanda Henry. I... Continue

Started by LaShanda Henry. Last reply by jawar 1 day ago.

Free Mahogany Momma eBooks for Parents

In honor of my fellow mother's of color, for Mother's Day I would like to share several of my Mahogany Momma eGuides to the members of the Black Moms Club. You can download them now for free on BMC... Continue

Started by LaShanda Henry May 10

Free Summer Publishing Contest

Hello I am putting together a FREE publishing contest details will follow. All submissions has to be part of a completed original novel and that the writer has not been previously published, nor ... Continue

Started by Juanita Betts May 8

Happy Mother's Day
7 Replies

To All Mothers!!! Loving, nurturing and raising our children are what we do and how we are supposed to be and do. I have one child a teenage daughter who I have raised on my own basically as a sin... Continue

Tagged: mothers, day

Started by Juanita Betts. Last reply by Juanita Betts May 9.

Mother's Day Reading Material

Greetings, Looking for a poem or something to read, then check out some of these links listed below. http://clearblogs.com/afrikamaabney/107832 Midnight Asha Abney Continue

Tagged: day, mother's, reading, material

Started by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney May 8

Arnold Wolf to be interviewed on radio show
1 Reply

Hello everyone, Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I'm going to be interviewed on the B.R. Burns radio show. It's very exciting! Se the copy of the email below for more information... Continue

Tagged: radio, interview, wolf, chickenhawk, arnold

Started by Arnold Wolf. Last reply by Jill May 7.

AGENT SEEKING YA LATINO WRITERS

Literary agent Jennifer Lyons is looking for submissions by Latinos writing Young Adult books. She is representing the editor of series for an imprint with a major publisher and helping to gather m... Continue

Started by Black Author Showcase May 6

May is Latino Books Month
12 Replies

May is Latino Books Month created by the AAP's (Association of American Publishers) Publishing Latino Voices of America subcommittee . While Latino writers should be celebrated every month of the y... Continue

Started by Black Author Showcase. Last reply by Black CapaCity Literary Arts Festival 22 hours ago.

BEA African-American Programming Preview

From 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, the African-American Booksellers Committee hosts its annual program, which includes an opening luncheon and author presentations; a keynote address by... Continue

Started by Black Author Showcase May 6

Grants for Female Writers
1 Reply

A Room Of Her Own Foundation Invites Applications for Literary Gift of Freedom Award A Room Of Her Own Foundation is dedicated to helping women artists achieve the privacy and financial support nec... Continue

Started by Marcia L. McNair. Last reply by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney May 6.

35th Anniversary Celebration for Nuyorican Poets Cafe

The Nuyorican Poets Café, the Lower East Side spot for urban poetry and New York’s Puerto Rican culture celebrated its 35th anniversary over the weekend, and NY1 News interviewed a number of partic... Continue

Tagged: poets, nuyorican, café

Started by Diane May 5

The Wind Has Changed for More Bookstores
5 Replies

Jackson Street Bookstore in Seattle is closing. While it's not an ethnic or black bookstore, their blog makes no apologies or blames no one . . . in particular. "There are a number of reasons why ... Continue

Started by Diane. Last reply by wizthom May 10.