Testimonial
As a writer, it never occurred to me to package my work into solid selling points, making sure to appeal to people on the business side of writing. I realized very quickly that there was no way a shy, somewhat introverted person like myself could conjure up a pitch to win over an agent. Because of this fear, I wasn’t sure about attending Kweli’s First Writer’s Conference in July 2012. However, with some encouragement from my wife, who is my biggest cheerleader and fan, I did.
I learned a lot about the writing industry and the expectations agents and editors have. Though it was intimidating, I took the information and incorporated it into my game plan. I especially learned a lot from one of the attending editors, Dawn Davis, who took the time to encourage me to submit to various agencies. I went home and wrote query letters, remembering to not shy away from a good synopsis with an arc, and to relay how much I know about books already published that are somewhat similar to mine. But most importantly, I had to overcome the hardest challenge, which was to convince agents why my book is unique and why it’s necessary. Such selling points are hard to come up with, because not many writers are comfortable talking about themselves. But what I learned from Kweli’s Writing Conference that afternoon in July 2012 was that this was absolutely necessary if I want my work to be out there. Now I have an agent, and together we’re working to make my dream as a writer a reality.
Nicole Y. Dennis-Benn, July 2013
MFA in Fiction, Sarah Lawrence College
Second Annual Children's Book Writers Conference
Spring 2016
"In a career spanning over 45 years, Walter Dean Myers wrote more than 100 books for children of all ages. His impressive body of work includes two Newbery Honor Books, three National Book Award Finalists, and six Coretta Scott King Award/Honor-winning books."
Join us at Scandinavia House in midtown Manhattan on Saturday, April 9, 2016, 9AM-9PM as we prepare to honor his legacy with a conference that celebrates diversity in storytelling. Our spring conference is an excellent opportunity for writers and illustrators of color to learn, get inspired and network with others in the industry. The day will include a keynote address by award-winning author, Edwidge Danticat. Our panels and workshops will cover topics from the craft of writing to the business of writing. Top editors, agents, and authors will discuss crucial steps to help launch a writer's career and offer carefully considered manuscript critiques. We will end the day with an evening reception.
Click here to learn more details about our Second Annual Children's Book Writers Conference.
REGISTER NOW.
First Annual Children's Book Writers Conference
Winter 2015
"In a career spanning over 45 years, Walter Dean Myers wrote more than 100 books for children of all ages. His impressive body of work includes two Newbery Honor Books, three National Book Award Finalists, and six Coretta Scott King Award/Honor-winning books."
Join us at Poet's Den Theater in East Harlem, NY on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, 6-9PM as we prepare to honor his legacy with a conference that celebrates diversity in storytelling. Our winter conference is an excellent opportunity to learn, get inspired and network with others in the industry. The evening will include author readings, a panel discussion, one-on-one pitch sessions and a reception. The first twenty people to register by December 2 will win free book giveaways and other prizes.
Click here to learn more details about our First Annual Children's Book Writers Conference.
Click here to learn about the presenters.
REGISTER NOW.
2014 Annual Writers Conference
Summer 2014
Kweli hosted its Third Annual Writers’ Conference on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Dumbo Sky in Brooklyn, NY. This year we expanded the conference with events throughout New York City from Monday, July 7th through Friday, July 11th.
We began the week with a Craft Talk / Reading with JENNINE CAPÓ CRUCET (author of "How to Leave Hialeah" and "Magic City Relic") on Monday, July 7th, 6pm-8pm at La Casa Azul Bookstore. Seating was limited. Preference was given to those who have registered for the July 9th conference.
On Tuesday, July 8th, 6pm-8:30pm we hosted a Reading and Conversation with MOROWA YEJIDÉ (author of "Time of the Locust") and JEFFERY RENARD ALLEN (author of “Song of the Shank”) at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Seating was limited. RSVP was required: RSVP@kwelijournal.org
CHANGE OF VENUE: Fire condition in Dumbo Brooklyn caused a power outage. Our main event will still take place on Wednesday, July 9th. However, we have a new venue: THE POET'S DEN THEATER, 309 East 108th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues. Take the #6 train to 103rd Street or 110th Street. The evening will include readings, panel discussions, manuscript consultations, pitch sessions and more.
Registration Fee: $50
Limited seating. Don't miss out.
Our conference is open to writers of all ages, races, and genres.
REGISTER NOW.
Click here to learn more about the presenters.
Click here for the conference program.
