Tips on Using This Site #4 - Forums/Articles

[Black Author Showcase]

The forums are our wisdom depositories. Members can ask questions and get answers from experienced colleagues here. There are 20 categories (and there can be more if you have any category ideas) that will allow you to post your news events, announce a new book or signing, list a favorite resource, or share a hard-knock tidbit to soften the blow for your fellow authors.

• Try to keep your entries in the proper category; this will make them easy to be found by members.
• Refrain from posting in more than one category on the main forums. This will only make your entry appear twice on the main page. One of the entries will be deleted to reserve front page space.
• You can always post the same item within a correlating group forum to reach a particular member group. Example: A science fiction list for Black History Month is listed in the General Discussions forum and also in the Horror/Speculative Fiction Group forum.
• Request a new category by emailing the name and description to: [e-mail].

Categories
• About This Site
The answer to "What is the Black Author Showcase?"

• Announcements
Use this forum to announce new works, appearances, blog tours and interviews. You can now post your book signings and other events directly into our Events tab and it will be seen on the Main page at all times.

• Anthology and Literary Mag News
One way to get published is to submit your essays and short stories to anthology editors and literary magazines. We've created this forum to give you the latest on where and when to submit your works.

• New Releases
Here's the place to announce your newest works of any kind.

• Publish!
Share your thoughts by posting your own content: an article about poetry or promotions, a current events essay, a bit of fiction that had to come out, advice for writers and publishers, video from your recent booksigning or event, images -- whatever interests you. We want you to get to the business of writing and publishing . . . now! This is not the forum for advertising your business - that is the "This Is What I Do!" article forum.

• The Business of Writing
Contracts, editors, publishers, project management, budgets, printing, websites, blogs . . . AAARRRGGGHHH!!!! All you wanted to do was write. Find relief and answers here.

• Resource Guides
Find it on the net or here in the Black Author Showcase forums. Don't reinvent the wheel - believe me, someone has probably collected the information you need. Check here first to see if it is listed or add your own lists of websites and informative documents.

• The Tech of Writing
Since the first twig was used to scratch symbols in the ground, writing has always been in the forefront of innovation. Web 2.0, online research, ebooks and more - What's new and how does it affect your reading/writing life?

• General Discussion
Well . . . if it doesn't quite fit in the other categories this one is as good as any I guess.

• General Questions
Sometimes you just want to know . . . and hopefully one of your showcase community colleagues will have the answer or solution.

• This Is What I Do!
Hang your shingle here and share your talents with the community. Don't forget to include links to your websites.

• Site Rules & FAQ's
Rules and guidelines for Black Author Showcase members

• Tips, Tricks, & Advice
The 'How-to' forum. Post information that you would like to share with the entire community, give advice to newbies in the publishing field, give hot tips on services and vendors.

• Publishing News, Jobs, and Gossip
Ooo! Did you hear about that merger? I wonder if so and so is going to be publishing with them for long? Nothing malicious here, just news we all can use to further our writing and publishing careers. Remember - it's a community of helpers, not haters.

• Motivational Movers
What gets you up and writing or up and moving? Share what gets you motivated to work. Help the rest of us out of those Monday Morning slumps (that last for multiple Mondays).

• Off Topic Discussions
Non book related issues, opinions, and chat on just about anything.

• Marketing & Promotions
Resources to help you promote your book.

• Writing Contests, Book Awards & Competitions
Updates on current programs

• Writer's Workshops News
The When, Where, and What of workshops. Update your fellow members with the latest news on a workshop or program you have attended. Listing of scholarship programs.

• What Readers Want
What are most readers looking for in a book? What do book clubs want and need? How can authors satisfy this niche itch? Are you a reader? Then tell us what you'd like to read. Authors don't be timid, ask readers about their reading preferences.