At this all-day event, top book industry experts will share information and strategies on how authors can make their literary breakthrough and turn their existing or future book(s) into a bestseller.

The Conference features the following book industry experts:

Book Agents
* Audra Barrett, founder of Barrett Books
* Manie Barron, partner in The Menza Barron Agency
* Regina Brooks, founder and President of Serendipity Literary Agency

Book Publishers
* Malaika Adero, Vice President and Senior Editor of Atria Books (Simon & Schuster)
* Joylynn Jossel-Ross, Senior Editor for Urban Book’s Christian fiction imprint
* Carol Mackey, Editor in Chief, Black Expressions Book Club

Book Marketers/Promoters
* Donna Hill, Best-selling author and packager of several highly successful novels
* Dante Lee, President and CEO of Diversity City Media
* Tyora Moody, founder of Tywebbin Creations, Internet book marketer and designer
* Pam Perry, founder of Ministry Marketing Solutions

The luncheon keynote speaker for the conference will be Sha-Shana Crichton, founder and president of Crichton & Associates, Inc. Ms. Crichton is also a licensed attorney and literary agent.

The conference registration fee includes three powerful sessions, breakfast, lunch and a closing reception. The early registration price of $139.00 is payable in two installments, and is valid through January 31, 2010. After January 31st, the standard registration price is $179.00.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit the following web site: www.nationalblackbookfestival.com/breakthrough.htm or call the National Black Book Festival headquarters at 1-800-340-5454.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following:

• A well-defined topic with focused objectives
• Consistency with and significance to the conference emphasis areas
• Presenter credibility and experience to engage the audience and deliver an outstanding and informative workshop

For more information, download the Call for Session Proposals in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF format below. Please feel welcome to include with your submission any handouts or other accompanying materials that will aid us in evaluating your session for appropriateness for this program.

Call for 2010 Workshop Proposals (Word)
http://www.blackwriters.org/ccount/click.php?id=43

Call for 2010 Workshop Proposals (PDF)
http://www.blackwriters.org/ccount/click.php?id=44

Proposals must be submitted by midnight on Sunday, December 6, 2009.

Thanks for ten years of support!
Black Writers Reunion & Conference
June 23-26, 2010 – Atlanta, Georgia
http://www.blackwriters.org

Get Signed  ●   Get Published  ●   Get Publicity
Friday, May 21, 2010 – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1700 Smith St., Houston, TX

Visit the Conference Website for Registration Details!

Thursday, April 16, 2009 – Saturday, April 18, 2009
$50 Registration Fee Includes All Sessions!

Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta, formerly Visions in Print Writers Group are hosting their second annual Virtual Writers Conference. The proceeds will be awarded as a college scholarship to a Class of 2009 high school student. They are offering seven workshops and teleconferences sessions with top selling authors and industry experts that will help you improve your writing and/or market your current work.

For details visit Urban Christian Fiction Today

“I bet I could write or illustrate a kids’ book.” Has this thought ever crossed your mind? Or are you a published author or illustrator that needs a boost?  If so, register now for the history-making African-American Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (AACBWI) conference online at AACBWI.com to be held at the Hilton Charlotte University Place hotel in Charlotte, NC.

AACBWI Provides Writers and Illustrators with Tools for Success
According to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) report, Publishing in 2007, of the roughly 3,000 titles received by the CCBC in 2007 just 150 had “significant African or African-American content.” In 2003, the ratio was similar when Charlotte writer Sabra Robinson founded AACBWI as an online forum to provide writers and illustrators with tools for career success. Next year, AACBWI will celebrate its sixth year of literary service!

AACBWI Historic Conference Open to All
Both AACBWI and its first conference are open to anyone interested in children’s book writing and illustrating—not only people of color. To attend the conference, which includes a lunch buffet, all you need are the desires to network, increase your knowledge about the publishing business, and most importantly, strengthen your ability to write and illustrate books for children. You must also pay to register.

Network with Panelists and Workshop Presenters
Conference attendees can learn from and network with the professionals listed below during panel discussions, workshops, critique sessions, and informally. For session titles visit AACBWI.com.

• Sarah Ketchersid—Senior Editor, Candlewick Press
• Eileen Robinson—Former Scholastic Executive Editor and Harcourt Editorial Manager, now of F1rstPages.com editing service
• Eleanora E. Tate—North Carolina resident and award-winning author of over 15 fiction and non-fiction books for children, preteens, and teens (Celeste’s Harlem Renaissance! )
• Don Tate—Award-winning illustrator of over 25 children’s books (Sure As Sunrise: Stories of Bruh Rabbit and his Walkin’ Talkin’ Friends)
• Christine Taylor Butler—Author of more than 40 books (A Mom Like No Other)
• Jacquelin Thomas—Divine young adult novel series author (Simply Divine)
• Kelly Starling Lyons—Picture book author (One Million Men and Me)
• Christine Young-Robinson—Picture book author (Chicken Wing)

Manuscript & Portfolio Critiques

Conference presenters will critique participants’ manuscripts or portfolios for an additional fee. Critiques are limited and first-come-first-serve. Register soon, while slots last.

Costs and Sponsorship
The conference ranges from $55 for AACBWI members to $125 for non-members who register early, plus critique fees. Fees for non-members increase after February 1, 2009.

Conference sponsors include the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI.org). Complete details about conference costs, student and senior discounts, and sponsorship packages are available at AACBWI.com.

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About African-American Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (AACBWI)
AACBWI is a volunteer community that provides encouragement, inspiration, professional development and networking opportunities for children’s authors and illustrators. AACBWI is not an official affiliate of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (http://www.SCBWI.org).

For more information about AACBWI and the conference, visit http://www.AACBWI.com. Sign up to join the AACBWI online forum at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AACBWI.

The Romance Slam Jam Conference will celebrate its 15th Anniversary with a Celebration Cruise

With the theme, Back to the Future, participants can plan to depart from Miami, Florida , Saturday, April 10, 2010 and embark on a five day Carnival Cruise voyage. Featured authors include Andrea Jackson, Angela Benson, Beverly Jenkins, Chrystal Rhodes, and Rochelle Alers, just to name a few. For more details, visit the Web site.