Copyright 2005 Black Butterfly Press

Dr. Maxine Thompson http://www.maxinethompson.com http://www.maxineshow.com

I often hear many writers lament, “I only sold 7 books at a conference,” and they sound very disappointed. But they are missing the hidden value of conferences. It’s not just about the books you sell, but about the connections and relationships you form.

For example, I know a writer (whom I can proudly say I coached through 2 books,) who will now be teaching at a well-known university from one of these small conferences. Someone at the Power Point presentation she delivered heard her speak and asked for her to become an instructor at their school.

As for my opportunities from conferences, I’ve written for Final Call, an International magazine, and garnered national attention through radio interviews on shows such as Tom Pope’s and Dr. Jeff Gardere’s. Furthermore, I have been able to conduct workshops nationally, and speak at large conferences. I not only have sold books at the back of the room, I have gained new clients for my literary services or my literary agency at conferences. My biggest opportunity came from being called and asked to host my own radio show on www.voiceamerica.com in December 2001. I have been hosting Internet radio shows since then.

As a writer/publisher, I think it would behoove any writer, self-published or not, to attend the BEA and other conferences, regardless of how big or small. These are just some of the benefits when you attend these events:

Visibility Support Networking Exposure for your books (such as with librarians, book stores, universities, book clubs) Reach large crowds Possible book deal for writers who want them Finding an agent Increased respect for the industry Increased respect for yourself as a writer/publisher Gain future speaking engagements Gain radio, TV or Internet interviews. Gain paying clients for your business Build your mailing list and opt-in list Understanding of trends in the industry Open doors to new opportunities, such as hosting your own TV or radio show.

But the most significant thing I gained from conferences was an insight into the Zeitgeist—the German word for the spirit of an age, a trend of thought and feeling in a period--in the African American Publishing Industry. Just as the Civil Rights movement resulted from a Zeitgeist—Black people as a whole getting tired of being treated like second class citizens—the new Black Renaissance in Literature has arisen from the same backlash.

Across the board, writers have gotten tired of being locked out from mainstream publishing. With desktop publishing, affordable graphic designs, the Internet, and print-on-demand, e-books, teleclasses, many writers have become publishers and information entrepreneurs.

I recently attended the second annual Los Angeles Black Book Expo on 6-10-05 at http://www.labbx.com/ as a panelist.

Every year for the past 5 years I’ve been a panelist and workshop conductor at Dr. Rosie Milligan’s Black Writers on Tour. (www.blackwritersontour.com.)

I will be participating as a workshop conductor with my hometown Detroit Literary Entrepreneur Conference on 8-26-05 to 8-28-05. http://www.mllbnetwork.com/MetroDetroitLiteraryAwards.html. http://www.mllbnetwork.com/Itinerary.html

To find out about local conferences in your area, go to http://writing.shawguides.com