Focusing on Craft.

A black writer's guide to conferences and workshops offering expert support to improve skills and technique

In my development as a human being and as a writer I have been, it seems to me, extremely blessed, even while complaining.... This receiving, returning, or passing on has been one of the most amazing, joyous, and continuous experiences of my life.

--Alice Walker

Too few aspiring writers have a circle of literary comrades who can serve as mentors, critics, editors and envoys to the literary marketplace. But those who are going the distance without such benefits still have hope. There are places all over the country where writers (whether novice or veteran) can go to find inspiration, new techniques, honest critiques, communities of support and a wider range of opportunities.

This year, hundreds of writers' conferences will be held at locations across the country, and all writers are welcome. "Conferences can open the door to opportunities that would not otherwise be available," says Tia Shabazz, founder of the Black Writers Alliance. "Insider information on publishing houses, trends, practices and people in the industry is generously exchanged at these conferences, and that's something that, unless you're already in the loop, you just won't be privy to."

As writers we must empower ourselves by building a community of support, usually comprised of caring mentors--editors who get it, publishers who will reward our efforts, agents who make sure they do, and an enthusiastic readership. But we must also invest our time and energy in the development of our craft if we hope to become and remain successful authors.

"What I see most new black writers working on is usually commercial fiction, the concentration being on the black aspect of it," says Manie Barron of Amistad Press. "Consequently, some of the writing that goes on in black commercial fiction is not necessarily the best writing and fails to follow the rules of writing. Most of the people that are going to be doing these [mainstream conferences] are coming out of publishing. These are the same people that are looking at and have been rejecting books because they didn't meet certain standards."

Clara Villarosa, the ABA board member who founded the African American Booksellers Conference at Book Expo America agrees that new black writers should understand that writing good books requires technique, but she worries that some of us assume we cannot gain quality instruction from black writers conferences. "We tend to give more credence when the information is coming from white people."

Writers also contend with those moments of self-doubt that can paralyze the creative process. "New writers are guaranteed to be inspired in some way--which is often half the battle--to be motivated to go home and write," says Malaika Adero, editor and owner of New York-based, Blue Media Editorial Services, who has been attending writers conferences for more than twenty years.

Still others, like acclaimed author Pearl Cleage, lament the possibility of running into critiquing sessions that may hurt rather than help. "Some folks swear by conferences and retreats," she says, "but I never found them really helpful--too many strangers critiquing too much work in a vacuum."

New writers especially are vulnerable to some, less credible, publishing ventures that may seek to exploit their enthusiasm--too many find this out too late. Successfully self-published author, Janet Cheatham Bell, emphasizes the need for writers to be savvy and self-reliant. "I have experienced every aspect of book publishing. I believe all writers should learn as much as they possibly can and not rely on agents and publishers to look out for their best interests. Conferences and workshops are a way of doing that."

While these truths may be held self-evident for all writers, perhaps they are compounded for writers of African descent who may feel called to literary arms in the continuing struggle for liberation. "These conferences are so necessary because they reach out to the younger generations of black writers and help us remember that this same literacy our enslaved ancestors were once killed for seeking is the civilized weapon by which masses are awakened," says Jiton Davidson, publisher of the literary magazine Fyah.com. "What's been really significant to me as a developing novelist, literary scholar, critic and publisher is having the inspiration and support of the elders of black literature."

"As an African American woman," says Lynette Velasco, co-leader of the nationally touring Author Your Life writing workshop, "I find the best resources in workshops designed and facilitated by other African Americans. These workshops are particularly good in identifying market places that are interested in African American themes, cultures and in writers of color."

The strategies and suggestions for how to get the most from writers' conferences are the same, whether the conferences are black or not. Here are a few good pointers compiled from the responses of experienced workshop attendees, organizers and presenters:

- Order conference brochures as early as possible and check out the offerings and the credentials of presenters.

- Clarify your goals and remain committed to your purpose.

- Once you arrive, get a "lay" of the land and check for schedule changes so you can make alternate plans for cancelled sessions.

- Be an active participant.

- Volunteer in a position that will allow you to meet everyone as they arrive or throughout the event. Serve as a workshop monitor or assist with registration. Conference organizers and faculty will appreciate and remember your contributions, and the attendees are more likely to recognize and remember you favorably should your paths cross again in the future.

- Ask questions that will be beneficial to your growth as a professional and published author.

- Bring along a generous supply of business cards, a notebook and extra pens.

Black Writers Conferences

Gwendolyn Brooks Writers Conference at Chicago State University, Oct. 24-27, 2001. Founded by Haki Madhubuti nine years ago, this annual, three-day event is one of the more established conferences. For registration and information call [phone].

The 2001 Black Writers Reunion & Conference, Dallas, TX, Aug 3-5, 2001 is the second annual event founded by the Black Writers Alliance. This emerging conference features keynote speakers, workshops, critiques, lectures, panels, readings, social events and an awards banquet. For registration and information contact Tia Shabazz [phone] x1865, www.blackwriters.org/conference/.

Twelfth Annual Zora Neale Horston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, Eatonville, FL, Jan 25-28, 2001. The theme for this year's well established event is poetry. For more information call [phone], log on to www.zoranealehurston.cc, or email [e-mail].

Celebration of Black Writing, Philadelphia, PA, is an annual literature festival featuring a panel of well-known black writers along with workshops and exhibitors. Held during the third week of February at 110 S. 13th Street. For more information call Larry Robin, Director [phone].

The 17th Annual Virginia Hamilton Conference, Kent State University, April 5-6, 2001 is the longest-running event in the United States to focus exclusively on multicultural literature for children and young adults. For more information, email [e-mail] or [e-mail].

Detroit Black Writer's Guild Annual Mid-West Poets & Writers Conference is an emerging, three-day conference held annually during Labor Day Weekend and hosts concurrent workshops, receptions, keynote speeches, critiques, agent interviews, and runs concurrently with the Detroit International Jazz Festival. For information call [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].

Hurston/Wright Writer's Week is the country's only multi-genre, annual summer writer's workshop for black writers. This year the weekly workshop will be held from July 15-21, 2001 on the Howard University campus. The deadline for applications is April 15th. For more information, visit http://www.hurston-wright.org or contact Donna Champ Banks, Director, Virginia Commonwealth University, English Department, PO Box 842005, Richmond, Virginia 23284, 804-225-4729.

Annual African American Literature Conference, held this year at the Nyumburu Cultural Center, University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, on April 7, 2001. This is an emerging conference featuring workshops, panel discussions, poetry readings, book readings and signings and more. Call [phone] for more information.

National Black Writers Conference is held every three years, or whenever a pressing issue in black writing arises. The most recent was held in 2000. Founded at Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, NY, this established conference is targeted to the general public and features discussions with black writers and literary critics as well as dialogues with the public. Log on to www.blackwriters.net/upcom.html, e-mail [e-mail], or write to Medgar Evers College, CUNY, 1650 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Attn: Dr. Elizabeth Nunez.

Harlem Book Fair: July 21-22, 2001, 135th Street between Lennox & Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, Harlem, USA. For event schedule and exhibit information, visit www.qbr.com or contact Linda A. Duggins, Program Director, at 212-348-1681. This established event is open to the public with workshops and consultations, acquisitions editors and literary agents.

Prolific Writers Network held its first literary retreat in 2000 and offered workshops, speakers in the publishing industry and book signings. Log on to www.prolificwriters.org, or write to Kia Sidbury, Prolific Writers Network, P.O. Box 47065, Baltimore, MD 21244.

Morgan State University's Twenty-Second Annual Conference, October 2001, Baltimore, Maryland. For more information contact Ruth Antoine, Dept. of English, Morgan State University, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore MD 21251-0001, [phone].

International Black Writers & Artists hosts conferences fulfilling the need for information, resources and services to those who value the unique contributions of writers and artists of the diaspora. For information on upcoming events visit http://members.tripod.com/~IBWA/home.html.

Sacred Circle/Spoken Word is hosted by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. This three-day festival and conference is held annually in October in Newark, NJ and features a wide variety of hip hop artists, MCs, writers, poets, critics and historians from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and the USA. Call 1-888-466-5722 for more information.

Black Writers on Tour hosts over 100 authors exhibiting their books, top literary agents and seminars. Contact Dr. Rosie Milligan, 1425 Manchester Avenue, Suite C, Los Angeles, California 90047, 323-750-3592, [e-mail], www.milliganbooks.com/member.html.

Other Conferences to Note:

ASJA Annual Writers' Conference will host its 30th Annual Writers' Conference at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, May 18-20, 2001 featuring workshops for freelance magazine writing, web publishing, and book publishing with private consultations available. Contact Brett Harbey, Exec. Director, ASJA Annual Writers' Conference, 1501 Broadway, NY, NY 10036, 212-997-0947, [e-mail], www.asja.org.

National Writers' Association Summer Conference is held each June in Aurora, Colorado for two days with workshops, consultations, keynote speakers, panels and a banquet dinner. For more information, contact Sandy Welchel, Exec. Director, National Writers' Association, 3140 S Peoria, #295, Aurora, Colorado 80014, 303-841-0246, [e-mail], www.nationalwriters.com.

Book Expo America, June 1-3, 2001, McCormick Place, Chicago. Formerly known as the American Booksellers Association Show, this is the largest trade event in North America. The African American Booksellers Conference founded by Clara Villarosa is hosted here and features workshops, panels, a reception and an authors' showcase with book sighings. Contact Steven Rosato, Group Sales Director, 383 Main Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851, 203-840-5463, [e-mail], www.bookexpoamerica.com.

Website of Interest

www.novalearn.com/wol/conferences.htm

www.authorlink.com

www.blackwriters.org/boardpower//boardpower.cgi

www.gmu.edu/departments/awp/wcf/

www.shawguides.com

www.bwip.org

Carol Smith-Passariello lives in New York's historic Hudson Valley where she is a writer and an editorial consultant whose work has appeared in newspapers, magazines and film including Honey, the hit movie, The Best Man and the Tri-State Defender and Commercial Appeal (both Memphis, TN). She is also a part-time Professor of English at the State University of New York, Westchester Community College. As an editor and book production consultant, she has produced several nonfiction books--most recently, Sisterfriend Soul Journeys (Promo Trends, Inc., July 2000). She is now dedicating most of her time and attention to the completion of her fist novel. Her survey of writers conferences and the benefits they hold for African American writers begins on page 70.