June 30 & JULY 1, 2011 New Orleans, LA www.bswconference.

com

PRESS KIT
www.bswconference.com
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sharika Mahdi-Neville
P: 404-202-2783
E: mahdicreations@yahoo.com

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHORS HIT NEW ORLEANS

DURING ESSENCE FESTIVAL WEEKEND FOR LITERARY EVENT

(New Orleans, LA – February 1, 2011) – On Thursday, June 30, 2011 in the jazzy, romantic city of New
Orleans, the Bayou Soul Writers and Reader’s Conference in conjunction with the New Orleans Public
Library -- African American Resource Center makes its debut Essence Festival Weekend in what is
shaping up to be the literary conference of all conferences. Bringing together some of the most notable
names in publishing and film including New York Times and Essence Bestselling Authors, Mary B.
Morrison, Victoria Christopher Murray, Francis Ray, Omar Tyree, notable screenwriter Jeb Stuart (Die
Hard and The Fugitive), and rounding out the list are Cash Money Millionaires newest street lit authors
Wahida Clark, Ashley and JaQuavis who recently signed with the rappers-turned-publishers, Birdman
and Slim, who hail from the city’s tough streets. This year’s theme is: “Lifting Each Other Up As We
June 30 & JULY 1, 2011 New Orleans, LA

Climb To The Top.”

The Bayou Soul Conference was founded by critically-acclaimed author Clarence Nero who is also an
instructor at the Baton Rouge Community College. Nero not only has an MFA in Creative Writing from
LSU, but three novels to his credit. Dr. Maya Angelou says that Nero is “a promising young writer.”
Nero grew up in the projects of New Orleans and had a hard upbringing where he saw a lot of hopeless-
ness and decay. By promoting reading and literacy, Nero hopes to shed a positive image on the city.

“We need this type of an event down in New Orleans,” says Nero who knows all too well the hardships
the city has endured in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “It’s a blessing to have so much support.”

In addition to author book signings and presentations, the conference will offer master classes in screen-
writing and fiction writing to aspiring writers. There will be experts in the field of fiction writing and
screenwriting teaching the classes like veteran screenwriter, Jeb Stuart. “There are many people out
there who are looking to break into the publishing and film business. Now, Hollywood folks and New
York Editors and Publishers will be on hand to meet them at the door.” Nero also plans to honor book
clubs and writers with awards that he’s starting in the names of literary agent, Manie Barron and popu-
lar author E. Lynn Harris whose untimely deaths shook the publishing industry. This year’s recipients
of the Harris and Barron’s awards are bestselling author, RM Johnson, and publishing executives Karen
Hunter and Linda Duggins, respectively.

“Most importantly, this is also a chance for readers and book clubs to have intimate time with their
favorite authors before the big party of Essence Music Festival begins,” says Nero with excitement.

For a list of this year’s honorees, awards, and registration, please visit www.bswconference.com
 FEATURED PARTICIPANTS
www.bswconference.com
Mary B. Morrison
Omar Tyree
Francis Ray
Wahida Clark
(Cash Money Content Imprint)
Ashley & JaQuavis
(Cash Money Content Imprint)

Jeb Stuart
director, producer and screenwriter, Die Hard & Fugitive
Jewell Parker Rhodes
recipient of the Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award
for “Ninth Ward” Childrens’ Book
Kendra Norman Bellamy
Faith Based Publisher and Author
Jedda Jones aka “Ms. Dupree”
comedienne, writer and producer, Tom Joyner Morning Show
June 30 & JULY 1, 2011 New Orleans, LA

Red Grant
comedian, actor and producer
Keith Lee Johnson
bestselling author
Willie Burton
Emmy & Oscar Award winning sound work
Dwan Abrams
novelist, editor and speaker
L. Martin Johnson Pratt
Infinite Marketing and Media Solutions, Social Media Marketing
Brian W. Smith
publisher, author featured on Oprah.com “What to Read List”
Norma Jarrett
Essence Book Pick and speaker

Mary B. Morrison

New York Times Nationally Acclaimed Pulitzer Prize Director of Multicultural Author of nine novels,
Bestselling Author Author winning Author Publicity at Hachette Book including bestsellers
Group, USA. The Harris Family and The
Kimberla Lawson Roby Zane Million Dollar Divorce.

New York Times New York Times

Bestselling Author Bestselling Author
www.bswconference.com FACT SHEET

The Bayou Soul Writers & Reader’s Conference (BSWRC) is an annual

event that takes place in New Orleans on Thursday and Friday June 30 & July 1, 2011 during
the Essence Festival weekend. During this time, many people will converge upon the city to
experience and celebrate American music, art and culture with a focus on music. From Be-
yonce to Janet Jackson, these festivities have featured some of the biggest recording artists of
our time.

In contrast, the Bayou Soul Writers & Reader’s Conference caters to those who are primarily
interested in literary arts by bringing together book lovers, readers, authors, emerging writers,
members of the publishing industry, and film professionals. BSWRC is a literary conference
where anyone interested in books and/or writing can come down to the jazzy, romantic city of
June 30 & JULY 1, 2011 New Orleans, LA

New Orleans and enjoy a stroll down Bourbon Street, Gumbo at a local restaurant, and take in
two fun-filled days in an intimate setting with a favorite author.

BSWRC affords you more opportunities and experiences than you’d expect to find at a mere
book conference. Besides featured panels with celebrity authors, and master classes taught by
experts in both fiction and screenwriting, there’s an award’s lunch and dinner where we honor
both, book clubs, established and emerging writers as well as recognize the hard work of edi-
tors and literary agents who are behind the scenes everyday fighting to make sure your favorite
author’s books end up in your personal library. In addition, BSWRC will give you a chance
to unwind at our annual red beans and rice reception with celebrity jazz and blues’ artists.
Moreover, you’ll get a chance to have an intimate chat during the “lunching with the author”
luncheon where your favorite author is actually sitting next to you.

There’s no better time to come on down to New Orleans. Treat yourself to some literary fun,
good food, and great people in a creative atmosphere at the Bayou Soul Writers & Reader’s
Conference!
www.bswconference.com TALKING
Interview Questions
POINTS

What inspired you to want to do a literary conference in New Orleans?

I simply wanted to do something positive in my hometown because I thought
it was desperately needed. There’s been a lot of negativity surrounding the city
after Katrina, and everyone is talking about the poor school system. This con-
ference main focus is to promote reading and literacy in the community. I also
wanted a place where authors, readers and emerging writers can come together
and support one another. This year’s theme is “Lifting Each Other Up as We
Climb To The Top.”

What type of social impact do you anticipate brings with the conference?
I’m hoping that the conference will get people reading and talking about the issues
June 30 & JULY 1, 2011 New Orleans, LA

in the black community. A lot of authors today are writing about the social issues in
the community like drugs, crime and violence. I hope that a lot of young people are
inspired by the many authors who are featured at the conference. I truly believe that
this event has the potential to raise the consciousness of the entire city not just the
black community.

How’s does this festival differ from other Literary Conference around the country?
We are doing something a little different because our conference has a bigger purpose
than most conferences. We are bringing authors, readers, publishing industry execu-
tives, and emerging writers together to not only celebrate but to address the critical is-
sues going on in the community. We also have a film component that you don’t see at
other literary conferences. Screenwriting is also literary and this year we have major
Hollywood, Professors and New York Executives teaching Master Classes in fiction
writing and screenwriting. I don’t know too many conferences that focus on both the
reader and emerging writer and the authors all at the same time.

We are also honoring teachers in the city who teach English and promote good read-
ing habits to their students. We are also paying tribute to authors and publishing in-
dustry people. We are conducting a writing contest in the city where we will give out
awards to emerging writers. All of the above mention makes us unique and different
from what some other people are doing out there.
www.bswconference.com
BIOGRAPHIES

Founder/Coordinator
Clarence Nero, author, screenwriter, educator, grew up in New
Orleans Ninth Ward and graduated from Howard University with a B.S.
in Chemistry. His first novel, “Cheekie: A Child Out of the Desire,” was
critically acclaimed and favorably praised by Dr. Maya Angelou who says
that Clarence is “a promising writer.” His screenplay “Cheekie” was recom-
mended to Sundance Lab by Jonathan Demme, Academy Award Winning
Director of “Silence of the Lambs” and “Beloved.” Clarence second novel
“Three Sides To Every Story” was endorsed by bestselling author E. Lynn
Harris as well as a book club favorite. His new novel “Too Much of a Good
Thing” was read by Zane, Queen of Erotica Fiction who said “the book was wonder-
ful. Sheila, Johnny, and James were well drawn out characters and had a lot of drama
going on. Great job!”

Clarence is the self-proclaimed “King of Drama” and has an MFA in Creative Writing
from Louisiana State University. He teaches at the Baton Rouge Community College.
June 30 & JULY 1, 2011 New Orleans, LA

Literary Event Consultant Public Relations/Graphic Design

TaNisha Webb is a well known book club expert
and the author of The Ultimate Book Club Experience:
How to Create & Maintain a Successful Book Club (Re-
lease Date: June 14, 2011) TaNisha has been involved
with book clubs for more than ten years and is currently
the president of the KC Girlfriends Book Club, which
is based in the Kansas City, MO metropolitan area. The KC
Girlfriends Book Club is the two-time recipient of the National
Book Club Conference Community Service Award under TaN-
isha’s leadership. She has also moderated the “Maximizing
Your Book Club Experience” panel discussion for the past
three years at the National Book Club Conference in Atlanta,
GA.
TaNisha is the creator and host of the KC Girlfriends Book
Club Radio Show, which is one of the first online radio shows
to be hosted by a book club. TaNisha is well known in the
literary community for her undying support for authors, book
clubs and literary resources. She is the founder and coordinator
of Fall Into Books Literary Conference, which was established
in 2010 in order to help connect book club, avid readers and
authors within the Midwest region.
Consultant
Sharika Mahdi-Neville is an estab-
lished visual artist and is known for her whimsical
and musical style of figurative paintings. When
she is not painting, she is either mentoring youth,
teaching art, adding the finishing touches to a logo
design or editing a press release. For over 15 years,
she has endured and thrived in both the art world and the event
production world. She began to pursue her “dual passions”
as early as high school, graduating valedictorian of her high
school class while at the same time, a youth artist with YA/YA
(Young Aspirations Young Artists, Inc.) While painting and
traveling, she completed her BA and Masters degree in Mass
Communication from LSU. After college, she worked as
outreach director, marketing director, stage manager and pro-
duction assistant for various events such as the New Orleans
Jazz and Heritage Jazz Festival and Essence Music Festival
and Bronner Brothers International Hair Shows. Eventually,
Mahdi would switch hats and provide her creative talent and
become an artist for these events as well.
She continues to create art and work behind the event produc-
tion stage and looks to expand her skills and varied creative
background internationally.