- Do I have to be a professional writer or person of color to attend the National Black Writers’ Conference? No. Anyone with an interest in literature may attend. The conference is open to all.
- Are the conference sites handicap accessible? Yes. The majority of the conference events are held at Medgar Evers College, CUNY, which is handicap accessible at both the Bedford Avenue entrance and the Franklin Avenue entrance. Most of the conference partner spaces and pre-conference events are at venues that are also accessible
- What is the age for Senior/ Elder Registration? 65 years of age with valid ID presented in person.
- Can students register? Yes. There is a student rate available for the full conference and a daily rate. Valid ID will be required on site.
- How can I register? Individuals can register online through our partner the African American Literature Book Club at www.aalbc.com (credit or debit card required) or down load a printable form to mail in with their payment. There is also a registration form in the conference brochure that can be mailed or used on-site. Please DO NOT send cash through the mail. To request that a brochure be mailed to you, please call the conference hotline at 718-270-4811and leave a message.
- When is the last day to register? Individuals can register by mail through March 15, 2010, and via the Internet through March 19, 2010. On-site (in person) registration begins on the first day of the conference, Thursday, March 25, 2010. Please do not bring registration forms or payment in-person prior to the first day of the conference.
- When can I register? Individuals can pre-register anytime before the aforementioned dates. On-site Registration will begin at 9 a.m. on most conference days and remain open until the first 30 minutes of the last panel or event for that conference day unless otherwise indicated. Payment by check will not be accepted on-site.
- Is the VIP Reception & Award Ceremony Donation separate from the Conference Donation? Yes. These items can be paid separately; you do not have to pay for the conference to attend the VIP reception and awards ceremony.
- Are the talkshops a separate donation from the conference? Yes. Talkshops are ticketed and are limited to 25 attendees for each workshop.
- If I am a vendor, do I have to pay to attend the conference? Yes.
- If I volunteer, can I ‘attend’ the conference? Volunteers who donate a minimum of eight [8] hours over the four days of the conference may attend any non ticketed event without the required monetary donation. Any events that require a separate entry donation are not included, i.e. the VIP Reception and Talkshops.
- How can I register a group? Groups MUST register through the Registration Coordinator. The required form will be forwarded to you upon request. The Registration Coordinator will advise your organization on the logistics of arrival, and reception of your group as required. Payment must be submitted at least two weeks in advance, BEFORE arrival to the conference.
On Thursday March 25, there will be special programming for elementary, middle school, junior and senior high-school students. Please contact the Registration Coordinator for specific details and requirements where applicable.
- Can individual students register for talkshops/workshops (Sunday, March 28)? Students at the upper level of high school and above can register for these workshops. If in high school, they should be exceptional in the genre of writing for which they are registering.
- Will lunch be served to conference attendees? No. Lunch is on your own. A list of local restaurants and neighborhood vendors will be provided to all attendees.
- How are panelists and honorees selected? How can I become one of them? In general, panelists and honorees are selected by a committee that includes authors, writing instructors, and other qualified individuals for the genres and subject matter presented. All recommendations for potential panelists and sample writings are reviewed for consideration. Submission does not secure selection. No responses will be issued to submitted materials received by this office. Materials will not be returned and may be included in the Center for Black Literature’s Reference Library. No submissions will be accepted that are postmarked after January 8, 2010.
Hard copy, books, DVDs mail to:
National Black Writers’ Conference
c/o Center for Black Literature at Medgar Ever College, CUNY
1650 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225Call for Papers: Respondents to the Call for Papers may submit their two-page proposals via e-mail to Brenda Greene at bgreene@mec.cuny.edu . Please “cc’” writers@mec.cuny.edu. To learn more about the “Call for Papers,” please visit this page on the Web site. Once selected, details on the presentation of the papers will be provided. Persons selected will present on the respective panels on Thursday March 25, 2010.
- I’m staying at The New York Marriott Downtown, the official conference hotel. How do I get to the conference site? Take the downtown-bound #4 or #5 trains from Wall Street Station to Franklin Avenue Station in Brooklyn. Walk in the direction of traffic on Franklin Avenue to Crown Street and make a left turn. You may also visit www.mta.info or HopStop.com - Subway Directions and Bus Directions for New York City (NYC) for more details on local travel options. To learn more visit our hotel and travel section, go to: http://www.nationalblackwritersconference.org/travel.html.
There is a possibility of shuttle bus service between the hotel and the Medgar Evers College, CUNY campus. More details to come later.