potential & possibilities

The Kweli conference yesterday was AMAZING! So many great people gathered in one place, including two author friends from Canada: Nadia Hohn (left) and Carol-Ann Hoyte (right). The panels were engaging, and it was encouraging to meet so many aspiring writers of color. The room was full of people of color, and I only wish the publishing industry were equally diverse. I decided to point that fact out on my morning panel: “Publishing Overview & Options.” The conference organizers did an excellent job finding people of color from marketing, publicity, sales, and editorial departments, but their existence in the industry doesn’t mean they’re likely to play a role in the submission to publication process for most writers of color. White women dominate the industry and I felt it would be dishonest not to point that out. Still, it was nice to be in a space where we formed the majority—for once! This past month I’ve really felt the “self” in self-publishing, so it was great to be surrounded by other voices and ideas and so much positive energy. And I want to thank Laura Pegram and her team for inviting me to share my self-publishing perspective. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a valid option—and sometimes the only option when all others doors close. My favorite moment from yesterday came after the morning panel. I’d had some trouble with my microphone—in fact, the two mics closest to me went berserk and it took a few of us to sort it out before I could have my say. A conference attendee told me afterward that he was a reiki practitioner and knew something about energy. “When the microphones went crazy I thought to myself, ‘That woman’s a force.'” I’ve mostly felt like a spent force lately, but hope to get my second wind this week. I’ll need it because the launch is on Thursday! Tomorrow I search for the best cupcakes…