NEWS JUNE 2019 Edition

NEWS JUNE 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 continuing our preparations for the 2019 National Black Book Festival, which will be our 12th anniversary, 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 connections. We recently received some exciting news. Ten representatives from Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) program will be on hand at the 2019 National Black Book Festival (Oct. 24-26 in Houston). KDP is Amazon's publishing arm and a go-to destination for self-published authors worldwide. Don't miss this opportunity to speak one-on-one with representatives of the world's largest bookseller. We have confirmed actress and author, Sheryl Lee Ralph, as a featured author for this year. 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. 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 already confirmed for 2019, and we may add one or two more to the roster:							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	Tiffany Warren	Joylynn Ross a/k/a E. N. Joy	Brandon Massey	K'wan	Anita Bunkley	Etan Thomas (former NBA player)
Authors: Standard registration for the 2019 National Black Book Festival ends May 31st after which the price increases on June 1st. A deposit of only $100 secures your table with the balance of $200.00 not due until July 31st. After May 31st, the total price will increase to $350.00 and a 50% deposit will be required upon registration. 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 May 28th, 83% 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. Schools and day care centers are welcome to attend and bring their classes with them. Your children's education and worldview will be enhanced by exposure to the array of African-American children's authors who participate each year. 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]
Houston Christian fiction author, Sherron Elise, will return to 2019 NBBF for the third year. "I have made so many divine connections through the National Black Book Festival. So many doors have opened up for me. It has been a great vessel," she says.				Children's authors Mary Evans, Shelita Anderson, and Pamela Jarmon-Wade (left to right) will be coordinators of the 2019 NBBF Children's Festival for the third consecutive year.
JUNE BOOK FEATURES
A Groom Once More by Patricia Sargeant Three confirmed bachelors get a second chance with their one true love... For this groom, it will take the right words to get back to the altar. . . Cynical screenwriter Asher Tomlin needs help researching and writing the script for his company’s historical documentary. Before their divorce almost three years ago, Asher and his ex-wife had made an impressive scriptwriting team. Now Asher’s two business partners and best friends urge him to turn to her again. Asher doesn’t need much prodding, though, to commit to doing whatever it takes to reunite with his ex-wife. The clock is ticking for jaded editorial consultant Zora Dabney. Her biological clock, that is. While they were married, she and Asher had agreed to have children. Now she’s divorced and childless. So when Asher asks for her help creating the script for his documentary, she tests his claim that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get her to work with him. If Asher and Zora find a way to collaborate on the script, can they also find a way back to the altar? Order online here: http://bit.ly/2Jo08Yi Visit the author's website: www.patriciasargeant.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
Enjoy the above photos from the 2018 Festival and be sure to "like" our Facebook page, if you have not already done so. Enjoy your summer! Gwen Richardson NBBF National Coordinator info@nationalblackbookfestival.com 1-800-340-5454