Founded in 2004 by Felicia Pride, an author, speaker, and voice of her generation, BackList, LLC is an organization dedicated to harnessing the power of words to uplift individuals and their communities. We consult, conduct workshops/seminars, curate events, assist in content creation, and engage in special community-based initiatives. Get to know us.
New Seminar!! Write Your Book and Get it Published! August 2, 2008 Location: Crowne Plaza Baltimore Timonium, MD Click here for more information. Register today! Spaces are limited!!! Inquire:
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New Workshop! Here Comes the Remix
Developed by authors Ferentz Lafargue and Felicia Pride, Here Comes the Remix is an innovative workshop designed to promote improved research, writing and public speaking teamwork and open-dialogue within social and professional organizations. For more information, visit www.herecomestheremix.com.
BackList also provides writing and other creative workshops. Contact us today for more information. New Literacy Initiative! The Message: Using Hip-Hop as a Tool of Engagement
Attention educators! Schools around the country are using THE MESSAGE as a tool to promote literacy, critical thinking, discussion and improved writing skills.
Felicia is available for speaking engagements and other events. For more information, contact
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and check out her website.
MOSAIC LITERARY MAGAZINE A new issue of MosaicLiterary Magazine is available. Issue 20 features interviews with Tayari Jones and J. California Cooper and a profile of William Demby. Visit mosaicmagazine.org to subscribe today.
Last Fall, Tavis Smiley announced the expansion of his publishing company, SmileyBooks, which will begin publishing non-fiction works by authors such as Iyanla Vanzant, Dr. Cornel West, Tom Burrell, and Eleanor Hinton Hoytt. The centerpiece of the expansion is his 2007 release, THE COVENANT IN ACTION, a companion book to the 2006 New York Times bestseller, THE COVENANT WITH BLACK AMERICA.
Watch a video of Tavis announcing the expansion and his vision for SmileyBooks.
In next month's Harper's Magazine, author Ursula K. Le Guin (POWERS) has some rather... um, strong things to say on the "alledged decline of reading" and the detrimental role publishing companies have and are playing in the whole affair in "Staying Awake: Notes on the alleged decline of reading." After expressing her adamant belief that books are here to stay, Guin says,
Books are social vectors, but publishers have been slow to see it. They barely even noticed book clubs until Oprah goosed them. But then the stupidity of the contemporary, corporation-owned publishing company is fathomless: they think they can sell books as commodities.
Money-making entities controlled by obscenly rich executives and their anonymous accountants have acquired most previously independent publishing houses with the notion of making a quick profit by selling books of art and information. I wouldn't be surprised if such people get sleepy when they read.
Many thanks to Connie Briscoe for her blog post about the rich and diverse list of nominations in the literary categories for the upcoming 39th NAACP Image Awards. So much focus is on the actors and artists that we may sometimes forget that the ceremony also recognizes achievements of authors and poets as well.
As you will see, there are definitely some BackList favorites on the list. Which of these books have your read? Which ones are on your to-read list? Did they drop the ball and exclude any of your favorite books in certain categories?
Kensington Books and Carl Weber recently celebrated the release of his latest book, SOMETHING ON THE SIDE, with a delicious-looking book cake. I can imagine that must be one of the coolest things an author can experience.
I am a Carl Weber fan and am especially excited about the release of this one. I'm sure plenty of sisters that are members of the size 14-and-over club will be as well!
Starting February 1st, The Sankofa Literary Society will sponsor a virtual Black History Month book fair. The event, which will take place through a series on-line events and conference calls, runs through February 29th.
The Black Author's Network will also host special interviews over their Internet Radio Show. The entire 2008 BHM book fair will be broadcast to 10,000 listeners via VI Radio SEC. WWIN Spirit 1400am.
Visitors to the fair can expect:
Video and Audio Blogging Intimate Conversation Interviews Group Panel Discussions via Internet and Live in DC/MD Personal Author Showcases Noon Time Chats on Internet Radio Black History Podcast Features Private Chat Line Conference Calls with Book Clubs
Confirmed authors for the event include Mary B. Morrison, Nikki Woods, Beverly Jenkins, Wahida Clark, Kendra Norman-Bellamy, Jessica Tilles, Donna Hill, Francis Ray, Gloria Mallette, Paula Chase Hyman, Gwyneth Bolton, Gwynne Forester, and many other writers and authors.
Books are social vectors, but publishers have been slow to see it. They barely even noticed book clubs until Oprah goosed them. But then the stupidity of the contemporary, corporation-owned publishing company is fathomless: they think they can sell books as commodities. 
Many thanks to Connie Briscoe for her 
Starting February 1st, The 