National Black Book Festival NEWS June 2011 Edition

Isaiah Washington
Former star of "Gray's Anatomy," has been confirmed as a featured author for the Festival. Washington has a memoir titled A Man From Another Land and it will be released in late April, just in time for NBBF. In this inspirational memoir, Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington explains how filling in the gaps of his past led him to discover a new passion: helping those less fortunate. DNA testing revealed that Washington was descended from the Mende people, who today live in Sierra Leone. For many people, the story would end with the results of the search; for Isaiah, it had just begun. Discovering his roots has given him a new purpose, to lead an inspirational life defined by faith and charity.

Saturday, June 11 @ 11:00 a.m.

NEWS June 2011 Edition June 10-12, 2011 ● Doubletree Hotel ● 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! The Festival is finally here and thousands will converge in Houston at the 4th annual National Black Book Festival. Authors are coming from 30+ states and represent 19 different genres of literary work. The Festival will officially kick off with the Welcome to Houston Reception on Friday evening, June 10th at 7:00 p.m. If you haven't already done so, don't forget to make your room reservations at The Doubletree Hotel, located at 400 Dallas Street in Downtown Houston. Our room block has expired, but the current rate is $119.00 per night, which is still reasonable. The phone number for reservations is 1-800-HILTONS (or 713-759-0202). Click here to make your Doubletree reservation online. If you missed the deadline for ticket purchases, we will be accepting a limited number of ticket purchases at the door for the events. For details about all of the NBBF special events, visit the web site here: http://www.nationalblackbookfestival.com/eventtickets.htm We now have a promotional video which details all of the activities that will take place at this year's event. Click the YouTube logo to view the video. We'd like to welcome media sponsors, Blackpr.com, Houston radio station KPFT, and the *Houston Forward Times* for providing promotional services for 2011 NBBF. Dozens of representatives from media outlets -- print, radio, T.V. and Internet -- will be covering the event. One of the media outlets, Purple Monki Productions, will be filming a documentary about poetry. Their representative, Aprill Renee, will interview some of the poetry authors and she will also film a portion of the Spoken Word Poetry Slam on Sunday. Urban Books, the publisher sponsor of 2011 NBBF, will have several of its authors on hand on Saturday and Sunday to meet attendees and sign books. Urban Books will also have a pavilion throughout the Festival where they will have many of their titles available at discounted prices. The children's fun area will be hosted on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. by Uncle E. Balloons will be available for the children who attend and several children's authors, like Robert Lampkin and Patricia Enyi, will join Uncle E with fun-filled presentations. NBBF is family friendly -- Kids 12 and under may attend the Festival FREE of charge. Visit the National Black Book Festival web site for more information (www.nationalblackbookfestival.com) and I'll see you at the Festival. Gwen Richardson NBBF National Coordinator info@nationalblackbookfestival.com 1-800-340-5454		BOOK FEATURES Tilsa Wright Michael Cowl Gordon J. B. Morton Dawn James Robert J. Walker Lady Tina Moore Monjurr Becky Dewitt Loretta Faith Harris Lawanna Campbell Terri D. Terrell Dunnum Nikki Jenkins Dorothy Burton Daryl Grigsby Nathaniel Wesley Jr. Elreta Dodds Emma Price Terry E. Hill Kimberly Purpoz E. M. Lacey J. R. Holden Beverly Terrell Richard Harrison Goree
2011 National Black Book Festival - Featured and Special Guest Authors
Joyce Carol Thomas Author of 15+ children's books, including The Blacker the Berry Saturday, June 11 @ 10:00 a.m.	Vickie Stringer CEO of Triple Crown Publications, is the queen of urban novels. After writing her first novel, she sold thousands of copies independently and subsequently launched Triple Crown, one of the largest urban fiction publishers. Saturday, June 11 @ 10:00 a.m.
J. M. Benjamin CEO of A New Quality Publishing, a New York-based firm which specializes in urban fiction. J. M. has utilized guerrilla marketing and grassroots techniques to sell thousands of books, vital information for self-published authors and budding publishing firms. Some of the company's successful titles include Dutch: The Sequel and Heaven and Earth. Saturday, June 11 @ 10:00 a.m.	Regina Brooks Founder and President of Serendipity Literary Agency LLC. Equally at home in the technical world of engineering as in the literary world of writing and editing, Ms. Brooks has over a decade of experience in senior positions at major publishing houses including John Wiley & Sons Inc. and the McGraw-Hill Companies. She is also the author of Saturday, June 11 @ 10:00 a.m.
Isaiah Washington Former star of "Gray's Anatomy," has been confirmed as a featured author for the Festival. Washington has a memoir titled A Man From Another Land and it will be released in late April, just in time for NBBF. In this inspirational memoir, Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington explains how filling in the gaps of his past led him to discover a new passion: helping those less fortunate. DNA testing revealed that Washington was descended from the Mende people, who today live in Sierra Leone. For many people, the story would end with the results of the search; for Isaiah, it had just begun. Discovering his roots has given him a new purpose, to lead an inspirational life defined by faith and charity. Saturday, June 11 @ 11:00 a.m.	Michelle McKinney Hammond Author of 30+ books, including Sassy, Single and Satisfied; Divanomics; and What Women Don't Know (and Men Don't Tell You) Saturday, June 11, 2011 @ Noon
Lavaille Lavette As a motivational speaker with time management expertise and an advocate for charitable causes, Lavaille has combined her two passions with the creation of the 86400 Seconds Movement, “Making a Difference, Being The Difference.“ There are 86,400 seconds in a day, the 86400 Seconds Movement is the instigator for a renewed life of intention and relevance (http://www.86400movement.com). Lavaille’s upcoming book, 86400: Manage Your Purpose to Make Every Second of Each Day Count, offers guidance and examples on how to live every second of every day purposefully and with renewed life. 86,400 will inspire and help readers to use their time in ways to accomplish more in their lives and make a positive difference in the world, to be released in March of this year. Saturday, June 11 @ 1:00 p.m.	Carleen Brice Author of four novels, one of which was adapted for the Lifetime movie "Sins of the Mother" Saturday, June 11 @ 2:00 p.m.
Tananarive Due Author of 10+ supernatural thrillers, including Blood Colony, Joplin's Ghost and the classic, My Soul to Keep Saturday, June 11 @ 3:00 p.m.	K-Wan Author of 10+ urban novels, including Section 8, Gutter and Still Hood Saturday, June 11 @ 4:00 p.m.
Pamela Samuels Young Author of 5 legal thrillers, including Buying Time and Murder on the Down Low Saturday, June 11 @ 5:00 p.m.	Judge Mablean T.V. Host, Actress and Author of Life Lessons From Judge Mablean Sunday, June 12 @ 1:00 p.m.
James W. Lewis Winner, 2011 NBBF Best New Author Award. Novelist and freelance writer published in several books that include Zane’s Caramel Flava, Chicken Soup for the Soul (two series), Gumbo for the Soul, and Truth Be Told: Tales of Life, Love and Drama. Magazine credits include 3AM Magazine, Eyeshot, Dare Magazine, Lucrezia Magazine, Circle Magazine, Rundu Bedtime Stories and American Fitness magazine. His debut novel Sellout launched in July 2010. Sunday, June 12 @ 1:00 p.m.
2011 NBBF Book Launch Parties
Saturday, June 11, 2011 12:00 Noon Judge Vanessa Gilmore Book: You Can't Make This Stuff Up: Tales From a Judicial Diva	Saturday, June 11, 2011 1:00 p.m. Dr. Janice Moss Book: In Love, In Pain
Saturday, June 11, 2011 2:00 p.m. Justina R. Page Book: The Circle of Fire	Saturday, June 11, 2011 3:00 p.m. Rose Mary Stiffin, Ph.D. Book: Walk In Bethel
Saturday, June 11, 2011 4:00 p.m. Dr. H. L. Stewart Book: Poppy: A Story of Courage, Determination and Faith Sponsored by Zoe Life Christian Communications
2011 NBBF Seminars
Marketing Your Book Effectively at NBBF Moderator: Oswald Scott, Author and Attorney Panelists: Brian Smith, Owner, Hollygrove Publishing Troy Johnson, Founder, AALBC.com Dana Pittman, Nia Promotions Saturday, June 11 @ 8:00 a.m. The National Black Book Festival provides authors with a wonderful environment to sell their books. Yet, sales results vary based upon the author's selling techniques. Learn, from experienced marketing experts, how to get the most out of your experience at NBBF. Oswald Scott is author of The Promise: A Black Man’s Guide to Money, Power & Respect and attorney with 20 years of legal and business experience. Licensed to practice law by the Texas and Louisiana State Bars, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Southern University Law Center. He is also a member of the NBBF Steering Committee. www.getthepromise.com Troy Johnson is founder of AALBC.com, one of the largest and oldest African-American literary sites. Founded in 1997, AALBC.com is a widely recognized source of author profiles, book recommendations, active discussion boards, writer resources, informative articles, videos, and book reviews. Troy holds a degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University, a MS in Information Systems Engineering from Polytechnic University, and an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business. He has also completed Stanford University's Publishing on the Web Course. www.aalbc.com Dana Pittman is founder and chief executive of Nia Promotions, a marketing company that provides a variety of marketing services. Nia Promotions assists authors and publishers with Internet book marketing using strategy, branding, and education. The company connects with readers through Nia Virtual Book Tours and by hosting live webcasts with authors and publishing professionals, teleseminars, online workshops, chats, and virtual books tours. http://www.facebook.com/niapromotions Brian W. Smith is founder of Hollygrove Publishing, as Dallas, Texas-based publishing firm. Hollygrove has produced 17 novels since its inception. Brian was also a "Power Seller" at 2009 and 2010 NBBF, selling more than 100 books at each event. www.hollygrovepublishing.com
How to Bounce Back from Setbacks Seminar Presenter: Bernice Dickey Author, My #1 Is Still My #1! Saturday, June 11 @ 12:00 p.m. (Noon) This seminar will teach you everything you need to know to bounce back from any challenge with grace and a stronger sense of your spiritual self. The facilitator will share the top five ways to start the process of healthy healing and encourage you to do the same for others. Bernice Bright Dickey is the author of My #1 Is Still My #1! and radio host of God's Transforming Stories on webtalkradio.net. You can connect with her on her website at www.bernicebrightdickey.com.	Bringing Out the Book In You Seminar Presenter: Cydney Rax Author, Brothers and Wives and My Daughter's Boyfriend Saturday, June 11 @ 2:00 p.m. Learn how to transform your experiences, ideas and creativity into a novel or non-fiction book. Designed for the beginning writer who wants to know how to get started. Cydney Rax is the author of My Daughter's Boyfriend, My Sister's Ex, and My Husband's Girlfriend. Her newest novel, Brothers and Wives, was released on July 13, 2010. She is also founder of the www.book-remarks.com web site.
The Immorality Of Institutional Racism in America: It's Not Just A Social Issue Seminar Presenter: Elreta Dodds Associate Minister of Faith Christian Community Church Saturday, June 11 @ 2:00 p.m Elreta Dodds, author of "Racism, The Bible, and The American Dream" will discuss and debunk the misconception that says the Bible supports racism and will also present a talk on racial discrimination in America from its historical roots to the present-day problem of covert Institutional racism. "Racism, The Bible, and The American Dream" is the 2011 winner of the National Indie Excellence Book Award under the category of Social Change and is also one of four finalists under the category of African American Non-Fiction. Elreta Dodds is an Associate Minister of Faith Christian Community Church in Port Huron Michigan where Rev. Link Howard III serves as Pastor. She is a licensed Professional Counselor, Board Certified by the American Psychotherapy Association and is also licensed by the state of Michigan as a Masters Social Worker with specialties in clinical and macro practices. Dodds possesses a Master of Arts degree in Guidance and Counseling as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.	Career Coaching Your Child to Success Seminar Presenter: Kristy K. Taylor Health Science Professor, author and founder of KidMedic LLC Saturday, June 11 @ 3:00 p.m. Learn strategies for career coaching your child to success through reading intervention and early childhood career exploration. Author Kristy K. Taylor shares her experiences as a former elementary school teacher and her inspiration for writing to encourage parents and teachers to help inspire a new generation of leaders. Kristy K. Taylor is a full time Health Science Professor, author, and founder of Kid Medic, L.L.C. She has over five years of teaching experience in the field of health science education, and she spent two years as an elementary school teacher in Brackettville, TX. Kristy believes that children can reach their potential only when they are properly taught, nurtured, and engaged in a manner that inspires them to expand their horizons through reading, thinking, exploring, and discovering the world around them.
Changing the World through the Power of the Written Word Christian Author Workshop Seminar Presenter: Dr. Sabrina Adams Founder and CEO of Zoe Life Christian Communications Saturday, June 11 @ 5:00 p.m If you have a story to tell, a lesson to teach or a message to share, then this workshop is for you. This workshop introduces the participants to the different forms of publishing; from tradition to self-publishing and every form in between. We will cover how to get started writing, copyright laws, titling your work and why that is important, cover design, layout, illustration, rights and registrations, e-books, competitively pricing your book, distribution, how to get into book stores, the necessity of marketing and building a platform to draw attention to your book. But most importantly it provides a God’s eye point of view as to why we must write, and why we must publish the words the He has placed in our hearts. Dr. Sabrina Adams is a wife, mother of two girls, Founder and CEO of Zoe Life Christian Communications and the Zoe Life Christian Speakers and Writers Guild, with its headquarters in Canton, Michigan. Since its inception, in 2005, the Zoe Life companies have published over 100 books by authors throughout the United States, Norway and England, that are distributed all over the world. Dr. Adams has also inspired, empowered and catapulted thousands of Christian authors to achieve their dreams through workshops, guild meetings, radio broadcasts and conferences.
Get Signed ● Get Published ● Get Publicity Friday, June 10, 2011 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Doubletree Hotel, 400 Dallas St., Houston, TX In Conjunction with the National Black Book Festival If you are serious about taking your book(s) to the next level, this is the conference for you. Early registrants receive a 15-minute, one-on-one session with the panelist of their choice. Top book industry experts share information and strategies on how to make your literary breakthrough and turn your existing or future book(s) into a bestseller! Conference includes three powerful sessions (shown below), lunch and a closing reception. On-site registration available. ● Book Publishers: Hear from editors at major publishing houses on what they are looking for in a book proposal; how they determine which author and which books to publish; and how they determine whether an author receives a 2-book deal or a 5-book deal. ● Book Marketers and Promoters: Hear from book marketing experts on how to receive maximum, targeted exposure for your book; how to get radio stations, newspapers and televisions to contact you for interviews; and why you should/should not aspire or expect to be on Oprah. ● Book Industry Agents: Hear from influential book agents on how to locate and identify the best agent for you; submit your book proposal; and how much of a book advance a first-time or repeat author should expect. Click here for details