The Black Issues Book Review 2007 literary calendar.
JANUARYJanuary 19-24
American Library Association Midwinter Meeting 2007
Seattle, Washington
The exhibits will be on display January 19-22 at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center, downtown at 7th and Pike Streets. Get details by calling 800-545-2433 or visiting www.ala.org.
January 29-February 2
Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) Advance 2007
Indianapolis, Indiana
This annual event for Christian book-store features a conference on the state of the industry, seminars for prospective retailers and an expo for sellers of Christian books.
January 20-28
The 18th Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities
Eatonville, Florida
Each year, the event honors the legacy of Zora Neale Hurston with an art show, street festival, performances and panel discussions. For details, call 407-599-9930 or visit http://www.zoranealehurstonfestival.com.
January 31
Motown Urban Book Literary Symposium
Southfield, Michigan
Local readers and authors share ideas and their love of urban fiction at this symposium at the Southfield Public Library at 5 P.M. For details on this free event presented by the Motown Writers Network, Visit http://southfieldurbanliterary.eventbrite.co m; e-mail: motownwriters@yahoo.com or call 313-289-8614.
FEBRUARY
Black History Month
February 3
Celebration of African American Authors 2007
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Join the Oklahoma City Urban League Young Professionals for a celebration of African American authors at the state capitol from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. The event will include opportunities to meet authors, network with book clubs and attend book signings Authors may participate for a $30 fee and the donation of two of their books. The event is free for readers. For more information, visit the group's Web site, www.okculyp.org, or call 405-615-6711.
February 3
African American Children's Book Fair
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The 15th annual African American Children's Book Fair at the Community College of Philadelphia, from 1 to 3 P.M., at 1700 Spring Garden Street. For more information, call 215-877-2012. (See "Bringing Home the Power of Reading," on page 31.)
February 3, 7, 14 and 18
Julian Richardson Literary Festival
San Francisco. California
Julian Richardson was the founder of Marcus Bookstore one of the oldest black bookstores in the country; and the 2007 events will mark the second year of the festival. The events are held at San Francisco Public Library locations and include the Second Annual African American Spoken Word Festival on February 3 at Central Library. Visit www.sfpl.org for more information. The programs are free to the public.
February 5-6
African American Read-In
Nationwide
Join more than a million readers in the Eighteenth National African American Read-In. The National Council of Teachers of English and the organization's Black Caucus sponsor the read-in. The International Reading Association also has endorsed the program. For more information and materials to sponsor the event in your area, visit www.ncte.org/prog/reading/.
February 17
AVIVA
Raleigh, North Carolina Book signings, conversation about literature, live music and vendors are highlights of this festival. Visit www.literarysisters.com/aviva, or call 815-267-8425 to learn more about this event or the AVIVA event in Scottsdale, Arizona, on April 14.
MARCH Women's History Month
March 9-10
Brother 2 Brother Literary Symposium
Newark, New Jersey
Head to Newark for the fifth annual symposium to hear authors discuss topics such as the importance of literacy at all ages, the gender differences in African American reading habits and the impact of parents and educators on children's desire to read. Keynote speakers are singer Erykah Badu and educational pioneer Bill Grace. The symposium will be held at Rutgers' Newark Campus in the Paul Robeson Campus Center. For more information, visit www.theliteraryevent.com/symposium or call 816-914-1560.
March 31
New Jersey College English Association Conference
South Orange, New Jersey
Valerie Wilson Wesley, author of the Tamara Hayle mysteries, will be the keynote speaker at the New Jersey College English Association conference. Visit www.njcea.org for more details.
APRIL National Poetry Month
April 7
Black Writers on Tour
Los Angeles, California
With workshops and seminars, the Black Writers on Tour event is an opportunity for unpublished writers to learn and for fans to meet new and established authors. The one-day event will be held at the LAX-Crowne Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Learn more at www.blackwritersontour.com.
April 16-22
Young People's Poetry Week
Share the art of verse with a child. Read poetry or help a young person write his or her first poem. Sponsors are the Children's Book Council, the Academy of American Poets and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Book suggestions and other materials are available at www.cbcbooks.org.
April 27-29
Memphis Black Writers Conference & Southern Film Festival
Memphis, Tennessee
Since 1996, the Memphis Black Writers Conference and Southern Film Festival has featured panels of authors and actors, poetry readings, a children's story time, young writers workshops, art exhibits, and an international film festival.
For more information, visit www.angelfire.com/tn/blackwritersconf/; call 901-392-0632; or e-mail memphisblackwriters@yahoo.com. Tickets to events range from $10 to $50.
MAY
2007 Literary Art Cultural Fest Miami, Florida
The Literary Art Cultural Fest is a chance for readers to interact with new, serf-published and small press authors. The festival also features poets and singers as well as a workshop for writers. For more information on this free event, visit www.nubianliterarynetwork.com or call 866-806-4284.
JUNE
Black Music Month
June 1-3
BookExpo America (BEA)
New York, New York This event for retailers, publishers and librarians includes exhibits, conference sessions and 500 authors. One of the highlights is the autographing section featuring more than 400 authors. Visit www.bookexpoamerica.com for registration details.
June 23-26
American Library Association Annual Conference
Washington, D.C.
This year's conference will be in Washington, D.C., in the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW. Pre-conference sessions will be held June 21 and 22. Details are available by calling 800-545-2433 or visiting www.ala.org.
JULY
July 15-22
Hurston/Wright Writers' Week
Washington, D.C.
This annual, weeklong workshop for writers of African descent provides a nurturing environment with classes by publishers, agents and writers. Participants are chosen on the strength of their writing. The Hurston/Wright Foundation's Web site, www.hurstonwright.org, will post application details. The workshop also includes a tuition-free component for high-school students.
July 13-15
Sable Lit Fest and Writers Hot Spot
The Gambia and Senegal, West Africa
Sable LitMag for new writing, based in London, will sponsor a weekend literary festival in The Gambia and a weeklong writers retreat in The Gambia and Senegal. For details and pricing, e-mail: info@sablelitmag.org or call 44-0-7890-269-138, or check www.sablelitmag.org/.
July 8-14
Fourth Annual North Country Institute and Retreat for Writers of Color
Valcour, New York
At the poetry, fiction and memoir institute at the Valcour Educational and Conference Center, participants will hone their writing skills with faculty mentors and workshop leaders. In addition, the institute includes opportunities for readings, individual conferences and cultural activities. Tuition, lodging (based on double occupancy) and meals are $1,000. For more information, contact Dr. Brenda M. Greene or Dr. Jose L. Torres-Padilla by calling 718-270-6976 or sending an e-mail to bgreene@mec.cuny.edu or Torresj2@plattsburgh.edu.
AUGUST
August 3-11
National Book Club Conference
Accra, Ghana
The fifth annual book club conference goes international this year with a trip to Ghana. The conference promises to bring together literature and African history to create a life-changing experience for attendees. The cost per traveler is $2,945, in addition to the $250 conference registration fee. Visit www.nationalbookclubconference.com for more information.
August 4
Motown Literary Cruise Aboard the Detroit Princess Boat
Detroit, Michigan
Readers, writers, poets and authors cruise down the Detroit River at this event. Book fairs, a poetry event and workshops will be among the highlights. Tickets are $60 at www.motownwriters.com. For details, email to motownwriters@yahoo.com or call 313-727-1011.
August 8-12
National Association of Black Journalists Convention
Las Vegas, Nevada
The 32nd annual gathering of black journalists includes sessions on writing and editing for news outlets. An authors' showcase, featuring fiction and nonfiction writers, has been a part of the program in recent years. Visit www.nabj.org for more information.
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 28-30
Baltimore Book Festival
Baltimore, Maryland
The 12th annual Baltimore Book Festival: Friday, 5-9 P.M.; Saturday 11 A.M.-7 P.M.; and Sunday 11 A.M.-7P.M. Mount Vernon Place; 600 block North Charles Street. The event is free.
September 29-October 6
Banned Books Week
Nationwide
The annual week, sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), focuses on books that have been banned or challenged in communities across the country. The organization lists ways to keep books available in libraries, including writing letters to ALA and school officials, reading a banned book with your book group and staying informed about book challenges in your community. Go to www.ala.org for more ideas and resources.
OCTOBER
10th Annual Black Age of Comics
Chicago, Illinois
Discover graphic novels, comics, science fiction and fantasy at the Black Age of Comics Convention. The event includes vendors, seminars and exhibitions. Convention details, including dates, will be posted at www.dablackage.blogspot.com. Contact the organizers at onli@sbcglobal.net for more information.
October 19-21
A Literary Retreat in Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
The retreat will include literary salons, sightseeing in Savannah and an authors' showcase. Registration is $279. Visit www.literarysisters.com or call 815-267-8425 to register.
NOVEMBER
November 1-4
Caribbean International Literary Festival
Antigua, Eastern Caribbean
The second annual Caribbean International Literary Festival is scheduled for November 1-4, 2007. For more information, contact Joy Bramble at 410-366-3900, e-mail: jbramble@btimes.com or Avonelle H. Poole at avonellehpoole@canw.ag. (See related story, in BETWEEN THE LINES column, on page 10.)
November 7-11
National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference
Atlanta, Georgia
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference in Atlanta. The event includes story performances, workshops, a marketplace and storytelling concerts. The National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. and KUUMBA Storytellers of Georgia sponsor the 2007 event. For more information, call 410- 947-1117 or visit www.NABSinc.org.
November 9-11
Essence of Motown Literary Conference
Detroit, Michigan
The Motown Writers Network presents book fairs, workshops on marketing, promotion and publishing, as well as panel discussions and an authors' brunch for this fourth annual event. Details are available at http://geocities.com/essenceofmotown, or by e-mail to essenceofmotown@yahoo.com or calling 313-289-8614. Admission prices range from free to $75.
November 12-18
Children's Book Week
Nationwide
Gather an armful of children's books and share them this week Need suggestions? Find titles that have been recognized with the Coretta Scott King Award on the American Library Association Web site, www.ala.org.
DECEMBER
December 26-January 1, 2008
Kwanzaa
The exchange of culturally meaningful gifts, such as books, is recommended as part of the Kwanzaa tradition. Shop for African American books at your local Kwanzaa festival, host a Kwanzaa event or look for activities in your area.
Did we miss your event? Send us details to include in a future issue of the magazine, on our Web site or in the 2008 calendar. E-mail us at bibredit@aol.com, or mail the information to Black Issues Book Review, 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1522, New York, NY 10118. Attention: Events/Calendar editor.
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| Author: | Davis, Bernadette Adams |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Black Issues Book Review |
| Article Type: | Calendar |
| Date: | Jan 1, 2007 |
| Words: | 1896 |
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| Next Article: | A writer for our time: Bebe Moore Campbell, 1950-2006, is remembered as a finely tuned literary voice for her generation and all generations. |