Kudos
"The Academy Awards of the African American Literary Community
I do not have words eloquent enough to describe my experience at the Black Writers Reunion Conference and Gold Pen Awards; however, I would be remiss if I didn't try. As an event planner I know how much work goes into an event of this magnitude. So for everything to go seamlessly and be so well organized is no small feat. I applaud Tia and her hardworking staff and thank them for allowing me the opportunity to participate. I look forward to next year’s event and the continued sisterhood of the BWRC and the AABCS." - Pam Walker-Williams, Chairperson, African American Book Club Summit; Founder & Webmaster, Pageturner.net
"The best writer's conference for me was Black Writers Reunion [& Conference] because I got so much out of the workshops I went to. It was great. I have two notebooks full of information that I'm still using today." - Cyndi Louis
"Congratulations on a job well done. I have never been to a more enjoyable and smoothly run conference in all my years in publishing and there's been a lotta years lemmetellya. And I'm not the only person who thinks so. Thanks again for your careful attention to detail and comfort." - Carol Taylor
"BWRC 2001 was a spiritual journey as much as artistic for me. It's an educational, informational, and entertaining foundation where novelists, poets, and playwrights mingle as one. It has all the elements of a one-two punch. The conference will continue to climb each summer to the most infinite powers in the literary and theatre world." - Terrence Spivey
"The Black Writers Reunion & Conference was nothing short of fertile soil upon which writers, aspiring and seasoned, came together to meet, network, and learn from and alongside some of the literary world's best and brightest. The workshops were informative and extremely relevant and the instructors were well-prepared; the extracurricular events were inspiring; and the facilitators and organizers selflessly ensured a successful event. It was a lesson in craft, entrepreneurship, and commitment to elevating and guarding the standards in African American literature. Thanks to the BWRC, there is soil, fertile soil, upon which we can continue to gather as a family to learn, inspire, and grow." - Jamellah Ellis
"The BWRC can only be described as a total EXPERIENCE. I have been to a number of conferences, both black and white, and none came close to what I experienced in Dallas. I walked away feeling renewed, revived and rededicated to the craft of writing. There was something for everyone there (not to mention the extensive networking). I missed the 2000 conference, but after this year, I know I'll never miss another one!" - ReShonda Tate Billingsley
"Well, you've done it again. The conference was DA BOMB!!!! I'm still buzzing from the wealth of information, inspiration, and encouragement I received. I have so much respect and admiration for you and the rest of the BWA for being able to put together such a rich, positive, and thoroughly enjoyable event. What makes the BWRC so special is that it is not just about about writing and publishing; it's also about friendship and family. I'm already counting the days to our next reunion!" - David McGoy
" I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the conference and you are commended for a first-class affair. The authors and presenters provided me with ample information to use in my upcoming projects and the conference provided the ideal setting to renew old friendships and initiate new ones." - Memphis Vaughan, Jr., Founder/Editor, TimBookTu.com
"Let me say that you really outdid yourself with the conference. It was one of the best gatherings I've attended in a long time. Everything was handled very professionally. Thanks again for allowing me to participate in the event." - Robert Fleming
"I was so charged up from attending the conference. I am also so very pleased to see the kind of organization and nurturing available to African-American writers that has been available to white writers for years." - Tananarive Due
"When I joined Black Writers Alliance two years ago, I didn't dream that it would emerge as such a potent institution in support of African American writers. The 2000 conference surprised and delighted me, for it was a first effort. However, the 2001 Black Writers Reunion and Conference bested it by far with its superior workshops, flawless organization and accommodations, and a magnificent company of authors--a soul enriching gathering of sisters and brothers. I hope to be there for the next." - Gwynne Forster
"I am so proud of the staff and members of Black Writers Alliance that I could scream. Yessssssssss! We showed up and showed out at this year's Black Writers Reunion and Conference! I can't stop talking about the professionalism of the BWRC staff and presenters. Each presenter promised and delivered a dynamite session on the do's and don'ts of publishing. A wealth of information was exchanged, retained, and sustained by all. I walked away with renewed energy and a real commitment to completing my literary goals. Also, it was absolutely grand meeting and bonding with so many of my contemporaries. There is so much talent in our community and the spotlight was definitely shining on Dallas the weekend of August 3rd." - Janette Owens
"It is almost impossible to believe that this conference is only two years old. This conference was awesome! One hundred times more than I had expected!" - Jeanette Hill
"I must commend you on the fine job you all did in organizing this invent. I walked away renewed inspiration and a more profound knowledge of the publishing industry." - Sonia Jewell
"Your wonderful efforts and those of your staff were a triumph. I have never enjoyed a conference more." - Constance Lestrade
"I think that this conference was excellent! Kudos to Tia and all involved for making the conference such a success. I can definitely see its future and continued progress. It was wonderful meeting and being in the midst of so many others who share my passion for writing. I wish you continued success in your writing endeavors and look forward to seeing you next year." - T'wanna Birdine
"I just wanted to express my gratitude to you and to those who helped you put the conference together- it was incredible! I also wanted to let you know that networking is happening because of this. Some of my fellow authors and I who met at the conference are now sharing information about bookstores and events so that we can each have it easier in terms of promoting our work. We all live within two hours of each other, which means we can also support each other's signings and get together once in awhile." - Maurice Gray
"The Black Writer's Reunion & Conference was an awesome, inspirational experience. Complete with seminars, expos, banquets and Soul Train lines, I came away with a renewed determination to pursue my dream of writing fiction as well as marketing myself as a business writer. Authors, play writes, and aspiring writers all shared stories of struggle, perseverance, and success. It was an open forum to discuss the many facets of the writing industry. The BWA assembled a group of authors and speakers who exuded warmth and charisma, who were inviting in their personalities and who helped to create an atmosphere of genuine sharing of knowledge and joy in others success. The volunteer staff was fantastic; the hotel staff was all professional. They helped to make the experience even more enjoyable.
The BWA has grown tremendously in all the right directions and this is no doubt attributable to the years of Tia's hard work. She has stepped out on faith and followed her heart. Successes like the conference are her reward. I am so proud of Tia's and the BWA's success. For those of you who couldn't make it, my advice would be for you to purchase the tapes or CDs because you missed some valuable knowledge and PLAN EARLY for next year." - Shawn Harris
"It took me a moment to calm down from the hot temperature outside and the HOT topics inside. I was absorbing every little bit of information. I relished all the well wishes; particularly the reunion of all my literary brothers and sisters and those I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time. I didn't think BWA would be able to top their debut event. I was wrong a thousand times over. Once again, BWA set the bar! God bless and I hope to see you next year." - Pat G'Orge Walker
"I had a wonderful time at the BWRC 2001. First of all, it was an honor to meet and exchange information with so many people because each of us participate in similar functions as far as promoting writers and books. I felt a kinship that is immeasurable. Secondly, you get more than your money's worth in regards to the workshops. Each one seemed designed to cover just about every aspect of the publishing industry and/or a writer's concerns such as: generating book publicity, preparing a book proposal; pitching your story idea; the job of an editor and the various types of editing, etc. No matter which workshop you attended, you were going to come out of there knowing something you didn't know before. The hotel accommodations were excellent. It was just a great atmosphere, lots of laughing, bonding, sharing, and getting that personal touch with people in a way you won't get when you're talking to them via e-mail and chat rooms. In summary, the BWRC is our opportunity to ask questions of those people whose books we've read. At first we may feel a little intimidated by these celebrated writers, however, we soon learn that they are people too, they're passionate about their craft and the business, and they are there to share and to help others, and that's what it's all about. I had a great time and am definitely looking forward to 2002." - Cydney Rax
