Interview with Sharon Ewell Foster

When did you attend your first BWRC and how many have you attended?
I’ve attended two. My first conference was in 2000, just after the release of my first novel, Passing by Samaria, in late 1999.

What is your most memorable BWRC moment?
My most memorable moment was receiving the Gold Pen Award for Best Inspirational Novel in 2001. In the photo, I’m beaming, right! My first book was published in late 1999. My second was published in 2001. Inspirational fiction, especially written by African Americans, was just beginning to take hold about that time—I think Victoria Christopher Murray’s Temptation was published by Walk Worthy in 2000—but even then BWRC was supporting. At the 2001 awards, both my first and second novels–Passing by Samaria and Ain’t No River–were up for Best Inspirational. I’ve been blessed to get other awards, and I’m grateful for them, but it meant so much to receive the love and the award from my own.

Have you networked with anyone at the conference and has that contact continued?
I’ve kept in touch with a good number of people. Of course, I will be forever grateful to Tia for the support and connections. I learned about reviewers and magazines like BIBR, but right now I’m working on an article series for Romantic Times. One of the people I interviewed was Beverly Jenkins—I’m pretty sure I first learned of her through BWRC conference. I also met an ABC radio network announcer who interviewed me about my books and writing. Those things only happen at BWRC—because it is focused on Black writers AND it draws people of the great accomplishment and quality. And I’ve met lifetime friends, like Pat G’Orge Walker aka Sister Betty and Angela Benson. Friendships are invaluable.

Did you do any writing while attending the conference?
No, I was too busy to write! But I did teach a writing workshop. Now, after I’ve learned so much, I would love to do it again! I would like to do a hands-on track with serious writers.

Has the BWRC helped you to accomplish any writing goals?
Since attending conference, I’ve had seven novels published–Passing by Samaria, Ain’t No River, Ain’t No Mountain, and Ain’t No Valley. My most recent, Abraham’s Well, won the Romantic Times Reviewers Award for Best Inspirational. Since attending BWRC, my books have been reviewed in BIBR, QBR, Ebony, Romantic Times, Publishers’ Weekly, Library Journal, Charisma, and Christianity Today. In addition to winning the Gold Pen Award, I’ve won the Christy Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best Inspirational, The Best of Borders, and the Road to Romance Reviewers’ Choice Award, among others. I’m also in the process of signing a multiple book deal with a major publishing house.

What would you say about BWRC to influence someone who’s thinking about attending?
My journey to being published was so unusual. Suddenly I was published and to say I was GREEN is putting it mildly. Tia was so encouraging, so helpful and so supportive—she even came to one of my earliest booksignings. I will never forget that. Publishing can be a cold business, but in Tia and BWRC I found a family that encouraged me and even hoped for my success. It was a place where I could begin to learn all that I didn’t know, all among new family and friends.

Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m delighted to see BWRC still thriving!

Website address: www.sharonewellfoster.com