African Books Collective (ABC) is a non-profit Oxford-based, worldwide marketing and distribution outlet for over 1,000 titles from Africa – scholarly, literature and children’s books. It is founded, owned and governed by a group of African publishers, and its participants are 116 independent and autonomous African publishers from 19 countries.

Support from funding agencies is received for development of publishing capacity in Africa; and resource materials are published for the African book and publishing communities.

Michigan State University Press is ABC’s N. American partner, handling marketing and distribution in the US and Canada. MSUP has a university press mission. The scholarly publishing arm of Michigan State University, it helps to carry out the institution’s land-grant mission through the publication of research and intellectual inquiry that make significant contributions to scholarship in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences.

To read more about this project or to just buy some books, visit their site at:

http://www.africanbookscollective.com

The Ninth National Black Writers Conference: Black Writers: Reading and Writing to Transform Their Lives and the World will offer panel discussions, readings, workshops and conversations to focus on the ways in which black writers use literature to transform their lives and the larger global community. Inspired in 1986 by the late John Oliver Killens, the National Black Writers Conference was convened to bring together writers, critics, book-sellers, book reviewers, and the general public to discuss issues affecting black writers. Since 1986 the National Black Writers Conferences at Medgar Evers College have attracted a wide range of writers and scholars from the African diaspora.

Download the Conference Journal

Download the February 11th Press Release

Download the Conference Program

For more information, visit www.mec.cuny.edu/blacklitcenter.

Meditations and Ascension

Brenda M. Greene (Editor). Third World Press 2008, Paperback, 300 pages, $16.72

It’s not too late to sign up for the 2009 Book Fair in New York.

Deadline April 15!

Publishers of all sizes find BookExpo America to be the perfect place for putting existing titles and new releases in the hands of retailers and booksellers around the country. BookExpo America features over 1,200 publishers, including all major U.S. houses, university presses, independent presses, international publishers and small presses. It is the largest show for the North-American retail book-buying community (bookstores, gift stores, catalogs, premium, internet retailers, libraries). Last year there were over 37,000 registered attendees representing over 80 countries.

To Register – visit the BookExpo America website.

Click HERE for more Upcoming Events.

DREAM13PRESS author Joe N. Norman II’s 2nd novel Starkill – The Father is in its final stages of production and will be arriving on shelves soon. This widely anticipated prequel to Starkill – The Son explores the time after Judgment. The meek have inherited the Earth but have failed once more to keep it free from evil.

Starkill – The Father

Joe N. Norman II. Dream13PRESS, INC 2007, Paperback, 484 pages, $19.95

AFRICAN VOICES, a not-for-profit cultural arts organization, is dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and awareness through literature and the arts. The magazine provides opportunities for emerging artists of color to gain experience and exposure.

Visit their website and subscribe today.

Greetings & Happy New Year:

In response to numerous requests for hard copies and a 2009 version of the Black Facts Calendars, we have had our calendars printed and have shipped a limited supply of the Black Facts Calendars to Amazon.com for availability.  I know people always say the supply is limited, but we really mean it  [smile].   So, to purchase the calendar, please visit the following Amazon.com URL at your earliest opportunity:

Black Facts Calendar 2009

Kendari, Office Product, $6.99

We have taken your many comments into account and improved the look and quality of the hard copies.  Also, this year, we developed a Women’s version of the Black Facts Calendar, which focuses on Black Women’s History.  Please support the study of Black women by purchasing and sharing this calendar.  The Women’s Calendar can be found at the following Amazon.com URL:

WOMEN’S Black Facts Calendar 2009

Black Facts Calendars by Kendari, Office Product, $6.99

A few more notes:

Permission Requests:  For permission to copy, post, etc., please write to blackfactscalendars@igc.org with “Black Facts Calendar Permission Request” in the subject line. Permission requests should include:

• the exact material to be used
• period of intended use
• method of reproduction
• nature and purpose of use [teaching, research, etc.]
• form of distribution
• number of copies
• circulation estimate
• and date to respond by [please be reasonable, and patient]

Please do include your e-mail address in the body of your message.  Regarding permission requests, we will give special consideration to educators, community organizers, etc. and to persons working with prison inmates.

Electronic Copies: Please note that due to the new size & format, we don’t currently have electronic copies available.  Also, due to the abuse of our copyright during the last few years, we do not have immediate plans to develop or distribute electronic copies as we had done previously in good faith.  Too many folk copied the calendar for commercial use, posted it on websites without permission, altered and otherwise abused the copyright.

This was not initiated as, and is not intended to be a money-making venture.  We are not a business– so, we appreciate your patience with our process.  And, we were only able to afford the printing of a limited amount of calendars.  We hope you appreciate our best efforts and value the hard copies.  We truly thank each and every one of you who wrote us.  We value your encouragement, criticism and inspiration.  Most essentially, we appreciate your interest in and support of Black History.

Best Black History wishes for the new year,
Dr. Askhari Johnson Hodari & Dr. Kendra Roberson

Blacks Facts Calendars by Kendari
blackfactscalendars@igc.org

P.S.- When writing to us, please (please) include your e-mail address in the body of your email message