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Who We Are
The Black Authors & Readers Rock Weekend had it's beginning in 2008, when the The Reading Divas Book Club, celebrated their tenth anniversary; I founded the club in 1998. The feedback about the event was very positive. Both readers and writers were looking for places and events to fill the gap that was being created by the closing of many of our brick and mortal stores. Once I realized there was an audience for this event, I asked the club members to work with me to make it an annual event - and we have!
The support for the event by the literary community has been phenomenal. Keynote speakers have included award winning authors Mary Monroe, Deberry & Grant, Daniel Black, Bernice McFadden, Pamela Samuels-Young (2014 NAACP Image Award Winner), ReShonda Tate-Billingsley, and Victoria Christopher-Murray. The Author Expo and Panels have been supported by many other established authors, such as Pulitzer Prize Winner Leonard Pitts, Jr., Renee Flagler, Karen Quinones Miller, Trice Hickman and dozens of emerging authors. The 2014 keynote speaker is NY Times Best Selling Author Kimberla Lawson Roby. More information about the event can be found at www.realdivasread.com.
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What We Need
In 2012, we expanded the event from a one-day brunch to a two-day conference that included panel discussions. Blogger AE Hellar of Hellar Reviews wrote, "On Saturday October 19th I had the pleasure to attend the Black Authors & Readers Rock Weekend…Unlike much larger book conferences this event provides an intimate opportunity for leisurely networking while learning about books and the publishing industry with book lovers, readers, authors, editors and publishers".
It is important that we raise monies because:
- Most authors don't have an unlimited budget to attend literary events;
- Most readers are more likely to support an event when the tickets are reasonably priced so they can also buy books during the event.
- The Divas started a book club for young ladies - 8 to 12 years old - in 2013. We purchase the books they read and would like to have them attend the event so they can meet and see authors in action.
The size of the audience and the Author Expo have more than doubled since the first event, and we need help not to just to sustain that growth but also to be able to continue to attract award winning authors. All monies raised will be used to:
- Pay for meeting rooms, advertising and audio-visual equipment and printing
- Pay for accommodations for featured authors
- Pay for the meals for the "Young Divas" during the conference
I hope I have conveyed both my passion for this event and for "reading". I'm sure you, like me, don't want reading to become a lost art. Though Oprah and Terry McMillan opened many doors and minds to books, there are still a lot of people who don't open even one book a year. It is through conferences and other events that we are able to demonstrate to the literary community and the public that "The Black Community Reads & Rocks". I sincerely hope you will support this, our seventh event!
Other Ways You Can Help
Whether you contribute or not, PLEASE help by spreading the word.
- Get the word out about this campaign to your friends, share on your FB page, with your book club, etc. Every donation counts!
- Use the Indiegogo share tools!