June 10-12, 2011  ●  Doubletree Hotel ● Houston, Texas
www.nationalblackbookfestival.com

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Greetings From National Black Book Festival Headquarters!

In case you missed the August edition of NBBF News, we have an exciting new development regarding the 2011 National Black Book Festival.  For the next two years (2011 and 2012), we will be making the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Houston our new home.  Although we had a tremendous NBBF this year at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, there were some space limitations that cannot be sustained with our future growth.  Our move will allow us to accommodate our exhibitors within contiguous space, our featured authors in larger breakout rooms, and more guests for all of our eating events.

The Doubletree Hotel is located at 400 Dallas Street in Downtown Houston.  They are providing us with a group room rate of only $109.00 per night.  The phone number for reservations is 1-800-HILTONS (or 713-759-0202) and ask for the National Black Book Festival room block.

The National Black Book Festival has already become the largest indoor gathering of African-American authors in the world.  Participating authors can sign up now for the 2011 NBBF with only a $50.00 deposit.  The participating author tables tend to sell out months in advance of the event, so please keep that in mind when you register.  For the 2010 Festival, we sold out of tables on January 5th.  Signup information is available online here:  http://www.nationalblackbookfestival.com/exhibitors.htm

Authors who pay their $50 author table deposits by Aug. 31st will receive a FREE book feature in an upcoming edition of NBBF News.

Motivational speakers, authors, writers and others who would like to make a seminar presentation at NBBF have the opportunity to do so.  Information on hosting your own seminar at 2011 NBBF is available online here:
http://www.nationalblackbookfestival.com/seminarinstructions.htm

In 2011, we will launch our annual Best New Author Award.  The winner will be flown to Houston to receive the award at the Sunday Jazz Brunch, followed by a book signing as a "Special Guest Author."  Following are the criteria for award consideration:

• Author's debut book (first published book of any kind) must have a copyright date of 2009, 2010 or 2011.  Debut book may be of any genre or category.  Release date of debut book will be verified by our research staff.  Please do NOT submit an essay if your debut book (first published book) has a copyright date prior to 2009.
• Author's debut book must be a perfect-bound (paperback or hardcover) book.  Spiral bound books, workbooks, booklets, pamphlets or any work that is not a perfect-bound book will not be considered.  The book must already be published at the time that the essay is submitted.
• Author must be a legal citizen of the United States
• Author must be at least 18 years of age
• Author must be able to travel and attendance at the Festival to accept the award is required
• Since only one author can win the award, books with co-authors are not eligible for this award.
• The following individuals are NOT eligible to be nominated:  NBBF employees, affiliates, directors, partners or steering committee members.

More details about the Best New Author Award are available online here:  http://www.nationalblackbookfestival.com/bna.htm

Book clubs may also begin registering so their names can be listed on the Festival web site and they can qualify for our special drawings.

This month's edition of NBBF News includes a Q&A with radio talk show host and author G. L. Henderson.  G. L. has provided live author interviews during the past two Festivals and will be on-site again next year to interview featured and participating authors.

Visit the National Black Book Festival web site for more information (www.nationalblackbookfestival.com).  We have a new "Featured Video of the Week" which highlights a different book trailer or author interview every week.  Have a happy Labor Day and be blessed!

Gwen Richardson
NBBF National Coordinator
info@nationalblackbookfestival.com
1-800-340-5454

BOOK FEATURES

Pamela Howard-Oglesby and
Brenda L. Roberts

Irene Steele

Terlene Terry-Todd

Patricia Enyi

Gwyneth Bolton

Anasia Hixon

Kimberly L. Scott

Marcus D. Thomas

Allison T. Moore

Alicia Wiggins

Nancy Townsend

James Jackson

Tenia Jamilla

Vernon Martin

Radio Talk Show Host and Author G. L. Henderson

Q:  Tell us about your radio program.  How long has it been on ArtistFirst.com and what are your objectives for the show?  

A: The G.L. Henderson Radio Hour is a show for the mature audience. we discuss all issues ranging from Internet Dating, How to Repair Your Credit, to The Intimacy the Lack of in Marriage. I solicit the assistance from notable experts as well as special guest celebrities. The show is going into its third year.
 

Q:  Who have been some of your guests over the years?

A:  Wow that list has grown over the past year. All of my guests are special in their own way. I can mention my personal favorites R&B artists Shirley Murdock, CeCe Penniston, Shanice, Harvey Walden, Angie Stone, Melba Moore, Lisa Lisa, Terri Vaughn, actor Ben Vereen.  And, oh, how could I forget Keisha Cole's mother Frankie (probably my most interesting one...hands down). I can go on and on with that list.
 

Q:  The 2011 Festival will be your third time broadcasting author interviews live from the event.  Tell us some of your experiences at previous Festivals and the highlight for your participation there.

A:  I have thoroughly enjoyed coming to the NBBF, as a special guest radio host as well as an author. It's always nice to interact with my peers. I would have to say the highlight for me is always meeting fellow authors and making new friends as well as connections. Authors come from all parts of the country to attend this festival and it's cool watching how other authors come up with their marketing and promotional concepts.
 

Q:  You are an author as well as a talk radio show host.  Do you have any upcoming books?  If so, what is the title of your next book and the theme?

A:  I do have a new release coming; it's actually been completed since 2007, but wasn't ready to release it.  It's called The Illusion of Love: The Decision. It's filled with some serious relationship drama. I will tell you that the release will be unconventional. It will not be released in print I'll just say that much. So to hear more on that, you'll have to tune in to my radio show or become a friend on my social networks (i.e., Twitter and Facebook).
 

Q:  Any words of encouragement or tips for authors who want to secure radio interviews, either on your program or others?

A:  First have your marketing strategy together, know your target audience and ensure they coincide with each other. Guests on my show should be prepared to tell their story -- past, present and future. I want to know more about you and your journey, not just the content of your book. To become a guest on my show, just e-mail me with your request to include your website, contact info, and what you hope to get out of the interview.  E-mail : glradiohour@gmail.com

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!

Testimonials from the 2010 Literary Breakthrough Conference

"The Breakthrough Conference was a much needed refresher for me.  I gained a new perspective on marketing my books. The presenters were so informative and accessible."
    -- Sophie Jones, author of Twisted Lies and Twisted Lies 2

"[T]he Literary Breakthrough Conference was a professional, informative “goldmine” of literary and publishing resources.  It was a great networking pool of reputable literary agents, marketing professionals and publishers.  It is a 'must attend' for aspiring and established authors."
   -- Norma Jarrett, author Sunday Brunch

"As a new author, I obtained such invaluable knowledge about the inner workings of how the literary world operates as well as helpful marketing tools to propel my project to the top.  I can't wait to attend next year's conference."
  -- Bernita Edwards, author

Conference includes three powerful sessions, lunch and a closing reception. Literary Breakthrough Conference sessions are as follows: 

●  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 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