Great Cause

November 7th come join us for food, conversation and a chance to support a wonderful organization, Beautiful Black Girls, Inc. The mission of BBG, Inc. is to build the self-esteem of girls and teens. We live in a world where we females are bombarded with images that tell us we need to be different- taller, thinner, blonder, whatever. You know what I mean. BBG, Inc. is part of the solution- driving home the message to young black girls that they are beautiful.

Come out on November 7th from 12 noon to 2 pm to meet three local authors at Vincent's City Club in Baton Rouge, La. Tickets are $20 and will benefit Beautiful Black Girls, Inc. Write to me at lynn@lynnemery.com for information on tickets. Or you can pay at the door. So if you're in Baton Rouge or close by come out to meet local authors, have good food and do a good thing!

Great Panel and Lots of Info

The value of networking for writers can't be overstated. Readers even enjoy hearing authors talk about their creative process, too. I had a wonderful time listening to a group of dynamic authors. I'm going to introduce you to the other panel members. And by the way if you get a chance to attend such an event at your local library, bookstore or where ever it's held go!

CJ Domino- Author of Sideline Ho and Who Does She Think She Is?

Naiomi Pitre- Author of Broken Vows

Writers Workshop - Let's Dish!

What: A writers workshop with a panel that will talk about self-publishing, traditional publishing and writing.

Where: Greenwell Springs Branch Library on Greenwell Springs Road in Baton Rouge, LA

When: October 24th, 1-4 pm

I'll be on the panel so come on out if you're in the area and want to network with other writers. If you want to hear some straight-up talk about the creative and business side of writing come on out!

So I'm Not Crazy

And it's not just me. What a wonderful moment, ya know? Suddenly someone says exactly what I've been thinking for years, since 1995 in fact when I became a published author.

Yet part of me kept thinking, "Nah, maybe I've got it all wrong." I've even said, okay maybe I'm crazy. Well maybe not. For some reason the publishing industry doesn't get the vast variety of books that minorities love to read. I can really speak to the POV of the Black readers. For years I was one of the many women who according to big publishing in NYC did not exist- Black, educated, loved to read and read a lot of books. I devoured romance novels long before I had any intention of writing romance. I loved horror stories as a kid (despite the nightmares). As a college student I discovered science fiction, then fantasy fiction and went on a binge that lasted years. Mysteries? I'm a true fanatic. And yet the big publishing houses still tell me I don't exist. Will they ever get it? Minority authors write fabulous books, and even more mystifying hit bestsellers lists occasionally despite big publishing. And still big publishing speaks with dead certainty and says minority readers just aren't there in big enough numbers. Or that we only read one kind of book in great numnbers (urban fiction). Amazing.

Blogs That Make You Go, "Hmmm"

Blogging In Black has so many great posts to recommend it that I can't pick just one. I say go there for insightful and thought provoking food for the mind. What is it? A group of authors who write about a range of topics related to books, publishing, what it means to be a writer, what it means to be a reader and so much more. Visit and enjoy.