Listening Party for DC Folks

I'm co-hosting a listening party this Friday in D.C. with Ferentz Lafargue, author of the wonderful memoir SONGS IN THE KEY OF MY LIFE. We'll listen to great music (yes that means some Stevie) and talk about the role it plays in our lives. We all have a story about the power of music. Come and share yours.

Details are below. I hope you can swing through, bring friends, say hello, groove to some great songs, and have a good time in the name of music and life.

Friday June 29, 2007
7pm - 9 pm
Listening Party
Co-hosted by Ferentz Lafargue, author of Songs in the Key of My Life
and Felicia Pride, Founder, The BackList
Dissident Display Studios
416 H St NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-332-3346

Check out Ferentz online at http://www.ferentz.com/.

And always check me out at www.thebacklist.net. Look for a new improved site coming soon. As well as my first books...

Free Writing Workshop for Youth

From Seeingblack.com

Writing Camp for Grades 8-12 in DC

The Hurston/Wright Foundation will accept applications for its free Creative Writing Intensive program, grades 8-12, until this Wednesday, June 27. Esther Iverem, editor of SeeingBlack.com, will be among the instructors for six classes, including poetry, non-fiction writing, fiction and playwriting. The program runs for three weeks, Sunday, July 8 – Friday July 27, 2007, at American University in DC. Click on or paste in this link fpr more information, Follow the directions to apply online or to drop off your application at 6525 Belcrest Road • Suite 531 • Hyattsville, MD 20782 • ph (301) 683-2134.
http://www.hurston-wright.org/hw_creative_writing_intensive.shtml

Hurry! Application period has been opened up to serve more students! Do not reply to this email for info. Thanks

American Me “Voices of Our Youth” essay contest

American Me “Voices of Our Youth” essay contest

Moses Miller, founder of Mind Candy, LLC, developed the idea for American Me “Voices of Our Youth”, after reading several disturbing studies focused on literacy rates amongst African-American and Hispanic Students in the United States . There were several alarming details, but two facts resonated deeply: The 12th grade reading scores of African American males were significantly lower than men and women across every racial and ethnic group; on average, African-American and Hispanic 12th graders read at the same level as white eighth graders; and 58% of African American Males in the United States do not graduate from high school.

Literacy experts have noted that the ability to read and write could be the most accurate predictor of success in life. The American Me “Voices of our youth” is focused on the promotion of reading and effective writing amongst African-American and Hispanic youth. The first project is directly related to the cultivation of writing skills.

Between May 1st and June 30th 2007, Mind Candy will be sponsoring an essay writing contest for aspiring African American and Hispanic youths from the ages of fifteen to eighteen, in an effort to stimulate creativity and offer young aspiring writers increased opportunities for exposure.

Each youth that wishes to participate will be tasked with writing a 750 to 1000 word essay or short story, descriptively capturing the experiences, challenges and the realities they face as youths growing up in America. Participating authors may write from their own experiences or about the experience of another person or a fictional character.

A panel consisting of published authors, book clubs and book store owners has been enlisted to assist with judging the submissions.

Essays from all finalists will be featured on several participating websites, while the winner’s essay will also be published in the second edition of Moses Miller’s critically acclaimed debut novel Nan : The Trifling Times of Nathan Jones.
Submissions will be accepted between May 1st and June 30th.
Contestants must be between the ages of 15 and 18
For more information visit MindCandyMedia.com

Book Publishing Seminar in D.C.

I'm conducting another Mediabistro book publishing seminar in D.C. on June 28th.

Click here to sign up!

Get Your Book Published

How to navigate the publishing industry

WHEN Thursday, June 28, 6:30-9:30 pm WHERE The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church 1313 New York Avenue, N.W., Park Level, Washington, D.C. 20005, 212-929-2588 PRICE $65 ($50 for )

Course Details

If you are a writer, you are not only in the business of writing, you are in the business of publishing. The most successful writers understand how the book publishing industry works and know how to navigate the complex waters of the industry. Knowledge is power. By understanding the realities of publishing (not everyone receives a six-figure advance) you'll be able to find ways to maintain a successful writing career.

In this seminar, you will learn:

• Publishing basics- how the industry works
• The structure of publishing houses
• How to get to know the major players - literary agents, editors, and publishers
• The realities of advances and book sales
• What really goes on in an editorial meeting and how decisions are made about what books are published
• What happens once your book is published
• How to develop a marketing plan for yourself and your book

Authors, listen up!

I know I've been kind of MIA, flaky. But that will change very soon...I've got some things in the work to beef up this blog.

Anywho, my fellow authors out there, here is a great article from PW about how one writer grinded to promote his book.

The most important aspect of the article is that one year after his book has been published, Christopher Lee Nutter is still at it. Many times publishing companies make us believe that audiences are only interested in a book only up to 3 months after their release. This belief is tied to media attention, not audience interest. I don't know about you, but in terms of my reading tastes, I don't care when a book came out, I just care if it is good.

Keep this in mind as you promote your own book.

Palibra--Opportunity for writers

During BookExpo, I had the pleasure to attend an informational session regarding Palibra, a new publishing platform for writers. It was started by author Edwardo Jackson and his partner Curtis Midkiff. Check it out and join!

Authors already down with Palibra: Lolita Files, Gloria Mallette Karen Quinones-Miller, Kenji Jasper and...soon to be Felicia Pride!

WHAT IT IS Palibra is the evolution of our on-demand society - an online, digital forum where everyone can be an author and get paid. Only 99 cents to download your favorite material! An unheard-of 30% royalty rate for authors!
If you love to write and you love to read, Palibra's the place.

PUBLISH TODAY It's always free to sign up and post your work. Closet poet? Published writer promoting upcoming or experimental work? Unpublished writer ready to jump start your career?
Palibra's the place.

WRITERS WANTED A site for readers and writers needs... WRITING. Lots of it. All of it. If it can be written, it can be posted, it can be on Palibra. YOU are your own editor. Whatever you want to publish, now you CAN.

So writers and readers alike WE NEED YOU! Go to http://www.palibra.com today!
Post now, post often, and spread the word!