NEWS AUGUST 2019 Edition

NEWS AUGUST 2019 Edition Oct. 24-26, 2019 ● 12th Anniversary ● Fallbrook Church ● Houston, Texas www.nationalblackbookfestival.com [Click here if you are unable to view the images or read the newsletter]
Greetings from National Black Book Festival Headquarters: We are SO excited about our 12th anniversary NBBF, which promises to be the best one yet, and we hope you'll make plans to join us. We try to make each annual Festival both consistent and unique, with new featured authors, activities, door prizes, and opportunities to network and make valuable connections. Here are some amazing developments regarding this year's event. Walter Mosley, one of the most versatile and admired writers in America today, will be a featured author at the 2019 National Black Book Festival. Mosley is the author of more than 43 critically acclaimed books, including the major bestselling mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins. His appearance will be on Saturday, Oct. 26th at 2:00 p.m.. Larry Dotson, former lead singer for the '70s and '80s band, The Bar-Kays, will be a special guest at NBBF's Welcome to Houston Reception on Thursday, Oct. 24th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. For decades, Dodson has been a trend setter as the lead singer of The Bar-Kays, who sold millions of records all over the world. Now as a solo artist, he's released his first book titled, And the Band Plays On: The Life Story of Larry Dodson of the Bar-Kays. Dodson will be signing his book on Thursday and Friday. We have confirmed actress and author, Sheryl Lee Ralph, as a featured author for this year on Saturday, Oct. 26th at 3:00 p.m. Ms. Ralph is a Tony Award nominee for her role in the original Broadway musical, "Dreamgirls." She is also known for her roles in films like "The Distinguished Gentleman" and "Sister Act 2," as well as TV shows, "Moesha" and "It's A Living." This will be her first appearance at NBBF. We have also confirmed author and financial whiz, Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, as a featured author (Saturday, Oct. 26 @ 11:00 a.m.). Lynnette was a Wall Street Journal reporter for CNBC, where she covered business and personal finance news. She spent nearly 10 years at Dow Jones & Co. Inc. working as a reporter, bureau chief, deputy managing editor, and personal finance editor. She has appeared on numerous TV shows, including Dr. Phil, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Steve Harvey Show, and Good Morning America. NBBF welcomes her to our 2019 lineup. The following additional featured authors are also confirmed for 2019:							CHECK OUT THESE BOOKS! Gwen Richardson Gwen Richardson Therese Taylor Stinson Avalon Brown Devin Robinson Harold Phifer Rose Stiffin Gwen Richardson
Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley Sat., Oct. 26 @ 1:00 p.m.	Tiffany Warren Fri., Oct. 25 @ 5:00 p.m.	Joylynn Ross a/k/a E. N. Joy Sat., Oct. 26 @ 11:00 a.m.	Brandon Massey Sat., Oct. 26 @ 12 Noon	K'wan Sat., Oct. 26 @ 12 Noon	Anita Bunkley Fri., Oct. 25 @ 5:00 p.m.	Etan Thomas (former NBA player) Sat., Oct. 26 @ 4:00 p.m.
Authors: Late registration rates for the 2019 National Black Book Festival are now in effect. A 50% deposit of only $175.00 secures your table and the remaining balance is due within 30 days. For your remaining balance, you may make incremental payments as small as $25.00, or pay it all at once, whatever your budget allows. Your name listing and link are added to the website within 48 hours of making your deposit. We often sell out of vendor space a month or two in advance of the event, so be sure to put down your deposit to secure your spot as soon as possible. As of July 30th, 86% of NBBF vendor space is sold. Authors: Register online here. Book Clubs: Register early for the 2019 Book Festival by sending an email to bookclub@nationalblackbookfestival.com. You receive a FREE listing on the website and that lets authors know your club members will be in attendance. This year, the book club that attends on Friday, Oct. 25th wearing club paraphernalia and has the most members present will win our Black Authors Matter t-shirt for each member in attendance. Black Authors Matter T-Shirts are available exclusively from the National Black Book Festival in sizes X-Small to 5XL. These t-shirts are great for book clubs, book events, and year-round gifts. Order your t-shirt online HERE: The Sheraton North Houston will again be the host hotel for out-of-town travelers. Complimentary shuttle service will be provided by NBBF to and from the Sheraton to Fallbrook Church each day. Online hotel registration is available online here: http://bit.ly/2L3g8Sj Our Children's Festival was a big hit and will be included again this year. It will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon, where children's authors will provide readings, entertainment, and door prizes for children who attend. Parents: Bring your children and other children in your family to this FREE event. Your children's education and worldview will be enhanced by exposure to the array of African-American children's authors who will participate thisyear. The coordinators of the Children's Festival are children's authors Pamela Jarmon-Wade, Shelita Anderson and Mary Evans. The Children's Festival is absolutely FREE to the public. [Click here if you are unable to view the images and/or to read the remainder of the newsletter]
AUGUST BOOK FEATURES
Black Child to Black Woman by Cheryl Bannerman When twenty-four-year old Tara Walker goes home for her brother's funeral, she discovers the secret journal she started when she was eight. As she reads, she is pulled back into her complicated, raw, and often frightening childhood, where drug addiction, alcoholism and predators brought chaos into her privileged, middle-class home. Through the love and guidance of her hard-working parents, Tara navigates these threats and matures into a smart, strong, young woman. Yet, even as she celebrates small personal victories, she spirals into a dark depression from disturbing family secrets and rejection. When it's time for Tara to become a mother herself, she must once again conquer her traumatic past to discover the true meaning of life, happiness, family, and unconditional love. Tara's gripping, raw and illuminating coming-of-age journey will captivate readers as they watch this intelligent black child grow into an extraordinary black woman. Order online here: https://amzn.to/2KhQeXn Visit the author's website: www.bannermanbooks.com				101 Scholarship Applications: What It Takes to Obtain a Debt-Free College Education (Revised 2019 Edition) by Gwen Richardson We have all read the headlines featuring a fortunate college-bound student who received $100,000 or more in scholarship awards. However, these success stories are the exception, not the rule. According to federal government estimates, the average undergraduate who borrows money to pay for college graduates with about $37,000 in student loan debt. 101 Scholarship Applications: What It Takes to Obtain a Debt-Free College Education was written specifically to address the issue of college loan debt, and help students and their parents identify scholarship opportunities, as well as develop strategies for submitting applications and winning awards. This book’s author, Gwen Richardson, is a parent who spent several years carefully researching scholarship sources for her daughter, who attended an out-of-state college at the cost of $30,000 per year. Her daughter graduated in May 2018 with all costs financed entirely with scholarships and grants. The highlight of this book is a comprehensive listing of more than 300 scholarship sources, including award amounts, eligibility requirements, and direct website links. All sources have been vetted and researched for accuracy Order online here: http://bit.ly/2S9Lfus
Seminar: Bringing Out the Book In You Presenter: Bonnie Hopkins, Author of Destiny, Seasons and Now and Then, Again Saturday, October 26 @ 10:00 a.m. This seminar is back by popular demand! Learn some naked truths about writing: What you should know before starting a book project What you must do to complete a book project Why the finish means ‘you’ve only just begun’ Bonnie Hopkins is a best-selling author of three novels: Seasons, Now and Then Again, and Destiny. She has mentored and encouraged many on their writing journeys through informal sessions, where she challenges hopeful authors with the question: “How badly do you want to write?” Visit her web site: www.bonniehopkins.com
Be sure to "like" our Facebook page, if you have not already done so. Enjoy the rest of your summer! Gwen Richardson NBBF National Coordinator info@nationalblackbookfestival.com 1-800-340-5454