Good Summer News

Happy Summer!

I haven't been writing here as much because I post most of my goings-on on the Powder Necklace Facebook page, but wanted to share some exciting updates with those of you that aren't into the flurry of Facebook notices. 

First off, thank you so much for all of your support throughout my journey as a published author. Your recommendations of Powder Necklace, as well as your presence at my readings and talks are fuel. It also keeps the momentum going. 

Here's what I've been up to - and what I'm getting up to - this summer.

1. STUDENTS WILL BE READING POWDER NECKLACE AS PART OF THEIR SCHOOL'S COMMON CORE REMIXED CURRICULUM!

2. MY SECOND NOVEL IS DONE & BEING SHOPPED TO PUBLISHERS

After my beloved first agent decided to pursue a new field, it took me almost two years to find a new one. My new agent really helped me tighten the manuscript for my second novel, and I'm excited to report that she is shopping it around to publishers. I can't wait to announce its publishing home!

3. I GOT INTO THE RHODE ISLAND WRITERS COLONY!

Nana Brew-Hammond: 2015 RIWC Writer-in-Residence from The Clever Agency on Vimeo.
Over the last two years, I've been focused on applying for writers residencies and fellowships that would offer me financial and/or professional resources to write, or simply unfettered time. So far, I've been shortlisted for Miles Morland Writing Scholarship, wait-listed for the Edward Albee Foundation Residency, and I got into the Rhode Island Writers Colony! For two weeks in June, I joined six other writers in a home in Warren, Rhode Island. We spent our days writing, shared new work in two informal readings, and read our work at a formal public reading at the Coffee Depot cafe. We also got to meet the Pulitzer Prize Winning Poets Tracy K. Smith and Gregory Pardlo. We'll be reuniting for another reading August 1, 2015 4-6pm at Danny Simmons Corridor Gallery in Brooklyn at 334 Grand Avenue. Come through!

4. I WAS THE OPENING SPEAKER AT TEDxACCRA 2015

Professionally and personally, my TEDxAccra goes down as one of the coolest experiences I've had to date. I have watched several TED Talks and been inspired by many of TED Speakers, so even getting the opportunity to speak was huge for me. I prepared fastidiously, and on the day of, it was an out-of-body experience to be on the stage, the monitor reflecting my image with the TED sign behind me. I could see my parents in the audience, my mother's face frozen in a Joker smile of pride, my father listening with squinted-eye intensity. Afterward, people came up to me and engaged me further on my topic. It was an unforgettable day. I'll send the link around once my Talk goes live.  

5. I'M CO-PRODUCING A FREE CONVERSATION WITH AFRICAN TECH ENTREPRENEURS CALLED AFRICA 2050 - AUGUST 13th, 6:30P

https://africa2050.splashthat.com

Africa is currently home to six of the world's fastest growing economies, and is projected to account for 40% of the world's youth population by the year 2050. While "Africa Rising" has become the economists'  buzz phrase for this immense growth opportunity, Africa 2050 aims to separate the hype from the hard facts, and put flesh and bones on the numbers. Featuring entrepreneurs and investors either based in Africa or with on-the-ground experience, Africa 2050 will offer attendees an inspirational overview of the continent's tech space via interactive discussions with those intimately familiar with the sector's challenges and triumphs.

RSVP HERE: https://africa2050.splashthat.com

6. I'M CO-PRODUCING A 1-DAY WRITERS RETREAT AT REDEEMER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH'S CENTER FOR FAITH AND WORK - SEPTEMBER 19, 2015, 9:30A-5:30P

7. I'M SHARING #LESSONSLEARNED ALONGSIDE A PANEL OF PUBLISHED WRITERS AT THE 2015 BINDERCON CONFERENCE - NOVEMBER 7, 2015, 2:15P

http://nyc.bindercon.com/sessions/

Lessons Learned: Published Authors Share Hard-Earned Insights
There is a preponderance of how-to-get-published information online and on the shelves, but what happens after you are published? Writers spend so much energy trying to get their name on a spine, that the lucky few who do frequently find themselves floundering in “now what?” territory. Precisely because it is so hard to get published, many writers in this situation falter in silence either too embarrassed to admit they need help or reticent to share information for fear it could give another writer an advantage.

This panel aims to change this dynamic of isolation, insecurity, and ignorance. Featuring published authors of different backgrounds, in different genres, and at different stages professionally, the discussion will detail hard-earned insights each writer has gained in the course of their careers.

Aspiring and first-time authors will leave the talk with concrete knowledge to help them avoid the pitfalls our panelists fell into. They will also take away practical steps to empower their pre- and post-publication journey. Topics discussed will include: what to look for (and ask for) in a contract; why a strong online presence/social media following isn’t enough when it comes to promoting your book/yourself; free and low-cost strategies to implement with little or no support from your publisher; how to build strategic relationships and partnerships with little or no support from your publisher; evaluating the pros and cons of self-publishing; coping with the day job and other responsibilities now that you’re “famous”; and uderstanding the writers’ power in the publishing ecosystem.

PANELISTS: Nana Brew-Hammond (author, Powder Necklace), Kerika Fields (author, He's Gone...You're Back), Stephanie Nikolopoulos (co-author, Burning Furiously Beautiful: The True Story of Jack Kerouac’s ‘On the Road’), Melissa Walker (author of multiple titles including Ashes to Ashes), Ruiyan Xu (author, The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai), and moderated by Jakki Kerubo (novelist)

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT!