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2002
AABCS Memories!!!
October 23 - 28, 2002
The Carnival Cruise Ship "VICTORY"
Miami, FL - San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Marteen
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2002
Participating Authors
(Starting Front Row-Left) Valarie Rose, Monique
Greenwood, Trisha Thomas, Timmothy McCann, Marrisa Monteih,
Kaye P. Brooks, Frederick Williams, Vanessa Moreman, Dr.
Monica "Moe" Anderson, William "Bill"
Aiken, Vicki Calton, Laura Parker Castero, Rita Coburn Whack,
R. M. Johnson, Sara Freeman Smith, Tracy Price Thompson,
Wanda Johnson and Travis Hunter. |
Here's
what the 2002 Black Expressions Cruise Give-a-way
winner, Linda Riley of Chicago, IL, had to say
about her
Summit
at Sea
Cruise:
Dear
Black Expressions,
I would
like to thank you and all of the staff involved with
the AABCS [African-American Book Club Summit at Sea].
I had a wonderful time on the trip. The workshops were
very informative and helped me to understand the ups
and downs of writing, as well as publishing.
I was
lucky enough to celebrate my birthday while on the cruise.
As a gift, along with a cake, one of the authors, Mr.
Bill Aiken, wrote a very lovely poem. I also received
a beautiful card made by the book supplier and signed
by some of the authors as well. I really truly enjoyed
myself. I met a lot of authors, some whom I had never
heard of, as well as members of different book clubs
who were also on the cruise.
I will
never forget this chapter of my life. Once again, thank
you.
Linda
Riley
Chicago, IL |
...all
of the Scrumptious Sisters and Brothers from the cruise, please
know that you are now my family. You brought me joy unspeakable
joy that I will never forget. I've been running and telling
it to all who would listen. The fellowship and bonding we
enjoyed was not by accident. Our coming together was ordained
by the Master. Let's keep the family together. If I can be
helpful in any way, it would be my honor to do so.
—
Bill Aiken (2002 Participating Author)
The Country Boy from Harlem
|
It
was a joy to meet each and every one of you. This was my first
cruise but it won't be my last. The company was unsurpassingly
fine, congenial, and dynamic. I've never had a better time
among writers and readers. Please pat yourselves on the back.
I second Valerie's every word about
the book clubs, the organizers, and the staff of the African
American Book Club Summit To go on and on would be overkill.
Look forward to seeing every one of you again, perhaps at
sea!
—
Laura Parker Castoro (2002 Participating Author) |
"I
just wanted to say what a great time I had!There should
be no other way to travel...good music (Unity), good food,
good drinks and way too much laughter. It was a joy meeting
all the up and coming authors, the bookclub members and
the top dogs, Travis, Tim, and RM.
To
the best dinner group I've ever had the pleasure of dining
with, Surah,Phillip,Laura, Chris, Monique, Nina, and my(keep'em'barefoot'and'pregnant
:)) husband, see you at Akwaaba in Cape May."
—
Trisha Thomas (2002 Participating Author) |
Cruisin....
Yall remember that. You know Tracy and I are stuck in the
70's.
Spending
time with you was one of my great pleasures this year. Getting
to know some of the authors I had only read or heard about
or didn't know at all adds so much to me as a person. Having
a passion for writing and telling a story means that you
have a passion for people. And, you guys were a passionate
group. Who can forget R.M. trippin like he did? We understand
R.M. and a trip is a good thing, you got to be who you are
and getting there requires taking some folks with you. I
enjoyed the writers opening up the passion for teens and
wanting to make the world better, understanding that in
a way we are all self published. The hard work and effort
to find our audience, and you do have an audience or you
wouldn't have a book, is challenging in the current environment.
We are up to the challenge and the beauty of those rewards.
In a large part the reward is simple, out of a room full
of people, no matter how large or small, somebody understands
a passage that you wrote, is changed for a moment, slips
into a world you created with your mind and a few people
even like it there. Thank you for your response to my work
and that of my peers, these are the things that keep us
going. I am reminded today that many of our brothers are
getting ready to do their thing in Atlanta, so I am sending
up alms for you in this 4 a.m. hour and told my son to bring
his boys from Morehouse to check you out, he is the tall
6'3, dreads to the shoulder, thin track start looking brother.
I told him to look for yall. Give him some love. As you
know I love the brothers, all of them and reading is important.
When we look at this thing it is bigger than the surface,
deeper than we think. We are reaching the hearts and minds
of men and women. My prayer is that we give them some enjoyment,
food for the journey and understand the responsibility of
any God given talent and craft to do the best job we can.
Go Brothers Go! I have a greater understanding of bookclubs,
thanks to Tee and the book club members. What you do for
us is more than media, you take your reading seriously and
you spread the word. You buy books and we have to face the
fact that we need you and we need to know more about you.
As you read us, write us and continue to be honest as we
hone our craft. And bookseller and booksellers stay strong.
What you do is beat the drums for the village folks to come
to the meeting place and pick up their goods. I understand
that businesses are a challenge to manage and grow, my prayers
and blessings are with you, continue to carry us and find
creative ways to sell us. (Don't forget this is the holiday
season -- smile) Finally, to the folks that put this thing
together, you are some hardworking sisters. What a challenge,
booking this after September 11th and bringing so many folk
together when you know how we do things. I imagine all the
last minute things you worked on, since a good portion of
it was mine, yet you all were smiling every night. Amazing.
Finally, did yall see my boo? He was the cute one. Hal and
I had the best time, eating, eating, eating... talking,
laughing and partying with you. And check this out, my man
read my book for the first time! Imagine. All these years
a paragraph here and a chapter there, brother broke down
and learned some more about his woman. Now you know that's
all good. Sorry I took so long, you know I am a long winded
sister, I take my apology back. I will be thinking of you,
praying for your good success in the spirit of Joshua 1st
chapter. Good success. You can be successful, Monique must
of read about this. But good success, that is what I wish
for you.
—
Rita Colburn Whack (2002 Participating Author)
|
Where
can you meet your favorite authors, eat lavish cuisine, fellowship
with avid readers
and visit exotic ports? On the annual African American Book Club
Summit at Sea, of course! This year's event was a huge success
as readers and authors from across the country gathered in Miami,
Florida and boarded the Carnival Cruise ship "Victory."
The
ship is magnificent, it is currently the largest ship in Carnival's
fleet (until next month when the Carnival Conquest sets sail.)
Participants were at awe as they entered the glamorous vessel
in search of the AABCS Registration Desk.
Registration
took place in the "Black and Red Seas Lounge," where
each participant was given their badge, a souvenir AABCS bottle
of water, an AABCS Mouse Pad and a book bag filled to the rim
with books, bookmarks, tee shirts, and more goodies. It was like
a reunion as alumni participants and new participants greeted,
exchanged hugs and handshakes.
Black
Expressions sweepstakes winner Linda Riley, was surprised when
she entered her cabin. It was filled with congratulations banners,
balloons and a cake complements of PageTurner.net.
The
week was filled with wonderful activities which included panel
discussions, booksigning, readings and workshops. The ship made
stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and
St. Marteen, NI.
Authors
Timmothy McCann, Travis Hunter and R.M. Johnson surprised a book
store in San Juan, with an impromptu booksiging. Authors Rita
Whack and Tracy Price Thompson also had a scheduled book signing
in St. Thomas.
It
is a rare occasion that so much talent is gathered in one place,
it is a FANTASTIC event! |