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<a class="twitter-timeline" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingblack" data-widget-id="956911751261454336">#readingblack Tweets</a> <script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+"://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script> The code above will result in the display below. The display is both responsive and supports https: #readingblack Tweets

We need an event to publicize the fact that Black Bookstores exist. Earlier this year I met a young woman, college-educated and intelligent, who had no idea there were Black bookstores. This especially significant in terms of history. We have a fairly established history of Black publishers, Black newspapers and Black authors. Black bookstores and distributors need a spotlight so that people know the best place to buy books by authors from our community is a Black bookstore. The post where @Troy told of the activities of Bookshop.org and our exchange on the press release for my book let me know we need to work on the image of the Black bookstore. I…

You are encouraged to share these memes to promote the #readingblack movement. Feel free to create and share your own

Hi all, I hope this is alright to post here. I'm celebrating my birthday by hosting a bookclub birthday party where we discuss my book, Remembered. As part of the event, I'm having actors read extracts (also as a teaser for the Audiobook Live event I'm hosting in February). I'll also be reading from the book, answering some of my favorite questions, and genuinely celebrating getting a year older. Although the event is online, there will be a Remembered themed-playlist and Remembered-themed menu. I want to offer goody bags for people that help me celebrate. What sort of digital treat would you recommend? In my head, I'm picturing maybe …

FORGIVABLE CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY LOANS At a recent Independent Book Publishers Association Committee meeting, I received the following information which I would like to share with you. As an independent publisher, if you hire developmental editors, copy editors, illustrators, and/or publicists to work on your book(s), you qualify for the emergency loans described in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The introduction of the Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide Checklist states the following: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion …

You and your friends are cordially invited to the Independent Book Publishers Benjamin Franklin Award Ceremony. Watch writers receive awards in more than 50 categories. The ceremony takes place from Tuesday, May 4 to Friday, May 8, from 4PM- 6PM Pacific Time. You don't have to dress up or catch a plane to California (not that you could). It is free. All you have to do is register. And you don't have to attend all four days. May 8 is the last day you can register. Click on the link below to watch the 1minute 35 second video. Scroll down below the video to click on the link to register. I was told I could invite the worl…

That's the title for a documentary on the Black Books Ecosystem (BBE.) The concept is get a bookmobile, fill it with books and drive around the country interviewing authors, publishers, distributors, readers and bookstore owners about the Black books ecosystem. We would document the history, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the BBE. It could be a webseries funded by the participants themselves. The title iSankore is a reference to the University of Sankore at Timbuktu. The route followed by the Bookmobile would be a modern day version of the African Ink Road which ran from north of Timbuktu to south of Kaduna in prese…

My west coast family please consider joining for a workshop on #readingblack. If you care about Black culture, who tells our stories, and who profits from the activity; this workshop is for you: Tomorrow 1:30 p.m. at the Sacramento Black Book Fair.

I could not find a category for this, so here goes. I am need a black web designer who is willing to work within the design constraints of an already- designed website. The book page needs to be redone so each book (I will soon have two books) can have its own page. The same way Troy has it here. The web designer must be able to do this using the woo-commerce plug-in. Please contact me at idabellpub@gmail.com. Here's a link to Ida Bell Publishing, LLC's bookpage: https://idabellpublishing.com/shop/

From April 5- 7 of this year, as a member, I attended the Independent Book Publishers Association’s Publisher’s University in Austin, Texas. The association has an annual Publisher’s University in different areas of the country each year to educate members on various facets of the independent publishing world. The speakers are all volunteers from the industry. I applied for and was able to obtain a scholarship to cover the tuition. Through my research I had found a hostel in walking distance of the hotel which seemed suitable. The “discount” rate at the Sheraton Hotel at the Capitol was not in my budget. When I asked friends who lived in Austi…

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WRITERS – CREATE A STAY AT HOME RESOURCE KIT Fellow Writers, I suggest that you create your version of a STAY AT HOME RESOURCE KIT. What is that? It’s any combination of links, essays, videos, music that fits in with the theme of your book. Everyone is home working, attending classes online, or not working. Think about what these various people need and how that dovetails with your book. My title is generic, I am sure you can think of something snappy and original for your kit: Mazie’s Amazing Marble Cake for Staying at Home Recently, I was in a webinar sponsored by the Independent Book Publisher’s Association. According to …