Interview with Vicki Ward

When did you attend your first BWRC?
Although I had been a member of the online writers’ group for some time, I attended my first conference in 2001 in Dallas.

What is your most memorable BWRC moment?
One of the most memorable moments at the conference was the frank discussion I had with Tananarive Due. The sincerity with which she listened to my writing concerns and the advice she relayed to me was invaluable. I enjoyed similarly friendly and supportive interactions with others throughout the conference.

Have you networked with anyone at the conference and has that contact continued?
I networked with several people from the east coast who lived near each other and were interested in creating a writing group for Christian-themed authors. I was in touch for a while, but due to distance and writing in different genres we lost contact.

Did you do any writing while attending the conference?
I did very little writing while attending the conference but spent my time taking notes on everything that I could related to writing and publishing.

Has the BWRC helped you to accomplish any writing goals?
One of the most influential and life-altering workshops I attended was on self-publishing led by Sara Freeman Smith and Mack Smith. This was the most extensive information I had received to date on the subject. Armed with the information from their workshop and other info I had, I ultimately formed my own publishing company and published my first book in 2005. This book was awarded the Best Anthology from the Los Angeles Black Book Expo, the ForeWord Magazine Silver Book of the Year Award, and an Honorable Mention from the Independent Publisher’s Association.

If you plan to attend the 2008 BWRC, what brings you back?
I do plan on attending the 2008 BWRC. I appreciate attending a gathering of writers and publishers in a professional setting with whom I can network, share ideas, learn new business practices, and establish new alliances.

What would you say about BWRC to influence someone who’s thinking about attending?
I have related my favorable experiences at BWRC to both emerging and seasoned writers. I would tell them that the conference was professional, very well organized and timely. Tia and all of the staff were supportive. I remember attending an open poetry reading one evening; the keynote speech given by Robert Fleming, and the dinner dance were very inspiring. There were other opportunities to relax and find out what writers were involved with.

Anything else you’d like to add?
Many writers and self-publishers suffer from “conference overload” having attended so many conferences—the good and not so good, professional ones, as well as those that wasted their time and money. BRWC is none of these. I continue to return to find new folks to meet, new information to help me improve my craft, new publishing and marketing ideas, and more folks to network with.

Websites: www.seasonedsistahs.com & www.nubianimagespublishing.com