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FREE IS MY LIFE fwd: REVIEW: "Essence of Motown Literary Conference" - Is there a Book in you?

REVIEW: "Essence of Motown Literary Conference" - Is there a Book in you?


Essence of Motown Literary Conference
Nov 13 - Northwest Activity Center

On Saturday, November 13th, I attended the Essence of Motown Literary Conference at the Northwest Activity Center on Detroit's Northwest side.  I was invited to attend the conference by it's organizer Sylvia Hubbard. Oprah better move over because Sylvia is a mom, a blogger, an author of 14 books, an editor, a self publisher, the founder of the Michigan Writers Network, and the owner of a literary radio network. Sylvia has been a very supportive follower of my blog and I was very pleased and honored when I received her invitation to attend this conference.

Is there a Book in YOU?
Even though I write as part of blogging, there is no way that I consider myself a writer. But the theme of this conference "Is There a Book in You?" did make me wonder what goes into being a published author and this conference gave me a brief, but very informative look into the business of book publishing.

During the conference, I met some wonderful people who were all at different stages in their books. I met the "want a be" writers who have not yet started a book, but really want to be authors one day. I also met the writers who have started one or more books, but have yet to finish any of them. Most of the writers that I met have finished their books and are in the process of getting them published. And this is where the Essence of Motown Literary Conference plays a role in educating writers on the process of publishing their books.

Education is Key in the Business of Book Publishing
Sylvia started the Essence of Motown Literary Conference to educate writers because she was sick of seeing writers being taken advantage of by predatory publishers. If writers are not careful they can spend thousands of dollars with the wrong publisher and have nothing to show for their money. This conference featured workshops and panel discussions on writing, publishing, and marketing. Writers could also get 1:1 help with publisher pitches, social media coaching, and manuscript critiques.

Author Valerie L. Coleman
Book Publishing 101
Most of my book reading these days are e-books and Sylvia did a wonderful session on self publishing e-books. It turns out most of the same rules that apply to regular publishing also are part of e-publishing and there is precise formatting needed to submit a book to an e-publisher.  One of the best sessions that I attended was by Valerie L. Coleman who is an author, editor, and publisher. Valerie's session called "Self-Publishing Made Easy Cash Machine!" was fast paced and delved into many of the aspects of self publishing from setting up an LLC and obtaining a vendor's license to how to get a copyright and how much to spend on printing.  Valerie was funny, informative and a "trial by fire" expert in the area of self-publishing. She is also pretty darn good with branding since everything from her books to her business cards leads back to her website called PenOfTheWritER.com.

Relentless Aaron
A Brand called Relentless
The keynote speaker at the conference luncheon was Relentless Aaron.  I will admit I did not know anything about Relentless Aaron before I read his bio at the conference, but I have to say I was impressed by how much he has been able to accomplish in the literary world dispute some very bad setbacks in life.  Relentless Aaron is the author of 30 books that focus on street culture, most of which he wrote while in prison. Writing allowed him to be in his own world during his incarceration where he was able to observe human nature and routines as the basis for his stories. He took the brand "Relentless" to express how he planned to live his life in pursuit of his dreams. He spoke about how all his experiences built one upon the other and when he was ready to put in the work, how everything came together in the form of book deals, magazine publishing and television shows. He stressed that there is a book within everyone and all that is needed is the "relentless" drive to bring it out.

I totally enjoyed my time at the Essence of Motown Literary Conference. I love learning new things and I was overloaded with new information about self publishing. While I don't know if there is a book in me, I do know where to go to get one published thanks to Sylvia Hubbard :).

Author Sylvia Hubbard
FREE BOOKS!
Now everyone should know by now that I like to end my reviews with either a freebie or a giveaway. Well, it turns out that Sylvia Hubbard is an author that is not afraid of freebies. She has some of her older books and her short stories available on her website for FREE. So if you love a good book like I do, keep reading for an offer that you cannot refuse.

FREE on SylviaHubbard.com (WARNING: THIS STUFF IS HOT)
Free Download PDF stories by Sylvia Hubbard

Follow Sylvia on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sylviahubbard1

Sylvia Hubbard with Relentless Aaron - photo courtesy of Sylvia Hubbard
Enjoy!


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I will do a GIVEAWAY when I reach 300 followers !!!





Tuesday

Twitter update on the Essence of Motown Literary Conference #eomlit

Here are the updates on the Essence of Motown Literary Jam & Conference 2010 from Twitter.com

Results for #eomlit

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Sylvia Hubbard
Check out photos from The Essence of Motown Lit Jam :
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Sylvia Hubbard
@
RT @ Had a gr8 time w/@ @ the 2010 Motow Literary Conference! Love meeting new creative ppl
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Sylvia Hubbard
Networking and possibly finding lasting Friendships at Motown Literary Jam
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Sylvia Hubbard
Next up Diamondnique with I Love When You call me woman
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Sylvia Hubbard
Physical is meaningless without the mental. Relationships by @
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Sylvia Hubbard
Our love was in sex but we had to get out of bed @
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Sylvia Hubbard
Listening to @ at pubrub
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K Lynn Brown
Had a fantastic and informative experience at the essence of motown conference
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Phette
Learned so much @ the Essence of Motown Literary Conference & feel privileged 2 have been there
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Phette
Walked away w/a wealth of info @ thnx @ & @
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monicamariejones
@ng at the Essence of Motown Literary Jam.
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monicamariejones
@ speaking at the Essence of Motown Literary Jam.
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L.A. Jefferson
Your online brand should mirror who u are in person--author branding tip
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monicamariejones
Listening to @ and @ speak about branding.
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Gregg Burton
Had a great time at the Essence of Motown! I meet some great people and learned some new things! Great job ladies!
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monicamariejones
In a workshop called, "Finding a Literary Agent" led by Karen White Owens at the Essence of Motown Literary Jam and Conference
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L.A. Jefferson
Keynote speaker Relentless is on the set
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Sylvia Hubbard
Support Michigan's Literacy Community. Drop yr gently used books off at The Essence of Motown Lit Jam
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monicamariejones
Listening to @ speak at the Essence of Motown Literary Jam and Conference
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Gregg Burton
Set up at the Essence of Motown
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monicamariejones
In a Freelance Writing workshop led by Michael Dwyer at the Essence of Motown Literary Jam and Conference
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L.A. Jefferson
Writing Tip: You don't have to write your book from beginning to end. You can jump from scene to scene then put it all together.
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Reshounn L. Foster
At The Writer's Tool Box workshop at @ is a wealth of info.
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Reshounn L. Foster
young, AfAm, cancer survivor.
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Gregg Burton
Good morning world, I'm dragging tail. Got to get my mind right for the Essence of Motown today!
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Reshounn L. Foster
Eddie Connor, author of Up Close and Personal, shares his story of the psychological affects of being a young AfAmer man w/cancer.
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monicamariejones
At the Essence of Motown Literary Jam and Conference listening to the morning key not speaker, Eddie Conner! :)
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Sylvia Hubbard
I just became the mayor of Essence of Motown Lit Jam on @!
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Sylvia Hubbard
I'm at Essence of Motown Lit Jam (Various Locations, Detroit).
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Amy DeRosa
RT @: Heading to Detroit for The Essence of Motown Lit Jam Drive safe Glenn and good luck
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MICHAEL DWYER
Speaking at The Essence of Motown Literary Jam today at 10:30 a.m. on Freelance Writing
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Glenn Murray
Heading to Detroit for The Essence of Motown Lit Jam
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Sylvia Hubbard
Support Michigan's Literacy Community. Drop yr gently used books off at The Essence of Motown Lit Jam
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Sylvia Hubbard
OMG!! 1st article! RT: The Daily is out! ▸ ▸ paper.li/tag/backchannel
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LMartin JohnsonPratt
is official tag for Essence of Motown Literary Jam bring Literacy to forefront for Detroit @
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LMartin JohnsonPratt
RT @ We raised over 1100 books tonight @ () Essence of Motown Lit Jam! thx 2all who helped! (@) >NP
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Sylvia Hubbard
We raised over 1100 books tonight @ () Essence of Motown Lit Jam! thx 2all who helped! (@) We hope 2morrow will triple!
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Sylvia Hubbard
Home from a long day of the 1st day the conference. Exhausted but so much to do!
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MsDimon
I just got a one-man standing ovation. The rest of the room liked me too.
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Gregg Burton
Networking is the key! and I'm getting tons of it tonight at the Essence of Motown.
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MsDimon
Divine Lyricist just put it DOWN.
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monicamariejones
Lots of talented poets, free give aways, networking and great energy at the Essence of Motown Literary Jam. I love it!
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monicamariejones
Just read my intro poem that shares the title of my book, "Taste My Soul" on the open mic at the Essence of Motown Literary Jam
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MsDimon
I'ma be at the Pub Rub tomorrow @ spitting poems with a rib hanging out my mouf like a cigarette.
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MsDimon
That Pub Rub rib was so good that I actually stopped tryna be cute and picked it up.
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monicamariejones
Getting ready to read something from my poetry book, Taste My Soul on the open mic at the Essence of Motown Literary Jam&Conference
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Sylvia Hubbard
Street lit Author phenomenon to keynote Essence of Motown Lit Jam Nov 13th
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MsDimon
At Detroit Impact Center waiting to reunite with my man Mic.
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monicamariejones
At the Essence of Motown Literary Jam and Conference at Detroit Impact getting my network on!
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Sylvia Hubbard
of course i'm first (@ Essence of Motown Lit Jam )
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L.A. Jefferson
Heading to the Essence of Motown conference at the Detroit Impact Center 5:30-9:00 tonight!
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Hubert Sawyers III
If you are a writer in the area, you should check out @'s this weekend.
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Sylvia Hubbard
Support Michigan's Literacy Community. Drop yr gently used books off at The Essence of Motown Lit Jam
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Sylvia Hubbard
King of Street Lit Relentless Aaron Hits The Streets of Detroit this weekend
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Sylvia Hubbard
Street lit Author phenomenon to keynote Essence of Motown Lit Jam Nov 13th
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Sylvia Hubbard
the essence of motown literary jam & conference in
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Sylvia Hubbard
@
Books as always @ RT Thanks for stopping in! What's on your mind tonight? getting ready for my conf 2morrow
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Sylvia Hubbard
@
RT @ Just made it to Detroit! Resting with the family and tomorrow is the Essence of Motown Festival!
 
 
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