There were many exciting, emotional, fun, learning moments over our NBCC weekend. Share your top three and I will tabulate the votes and give results next month. E-mail responses to curtisbunn@yahoo.com.

* Dr. Bertice Berry's brilliant, funny, keen conference-opening keynote speech.

* Tribute to E. Lynn Harris

* One-on-one interview w/Terry McMillan.

* Eric Jerome Dickey's surprise appearance on the panel discussion "What Makes Black Books Go"

* The wonderful J. California Cooper (above).

* The gracious Susan Taylor, who went table-to-table to greet book lovers.

* The embraceable, incomparable Dr. Cornel West.

* Terrie Williams' moving "Black Pain" panel discussion.

* Lively cocktail reception sponsored by Kimani Press.

* World's largest book club meeting with Kimberla Lawson Roby.

* Glamorous Red Carpet event.

* E-mail other highlights.

 

The closest thing to being at the NBCC is to have some of the items the book lovers received, including the registration gift bag. Inside are four books, an NBCC t-shirt and other goodies. The gift bags are $30.
Also available are NBCC t-shirts, size XL. They are $15. Both can be purchased via check or money order.

 

Wasn't it nice to pull out that really sexy skirt or dress and flaunt it for a night? Many of you took me up on the "Beyonce' challenge" -- and looked GREAT!!! Never has paparazzi looked so good!!! And the authors, like Kimberla Lawson Roby (above), joined right in. A beautiful evening all the way round.

 

Many of you wise book lovers took advantage of the 2010 Early Bird Registration offer of $200 per person. This offer ends on Friday, August 7, so please, if you'd like to save big








    LeSanctuary Book Club, New Orleans
on next year's conference, secure your spot
via credit card on PayPal.com (Send money to curtis@thebunngroup.com) or check made out to NBCC and send to NBCC, Inc., 235 N. Highland Avenue N.E., Suite 230-171, Atlanta, GA 30307.

The 2010 registration rate is $325 per person, $275 for those who attended this year's NBCC. To minimize the financial burden, we have a payment plan that goes as follows:

Aug. 28: Deposit (non-refundable): $100
Nov. 1: $100
Feb. 1: $125

Registration includes admission to all NBCC-related events; breakfast and cocktail at reception on Friday; dinner at the banquet on Saturday; gift bag with four complimentary books, NBCC t-shirt, program, magazines and other goodies.

           Dates: July 29-31, Atlanta

 

Victoria Christopher Murray and Eric           Jerome Dickey at '09 NBCC

Just a small sample of what folks are saying:

Barbara Bullocks, Circle of Color, Jackson, MS: "The conference was great. . . Susan Taylor was  awesome, as well as Bertice Berry and Dr. West along with other guests.  J. California Cooper was wonderful and I felt like after I heard her I could have packed up and (gone) home. So much wisdom! These are not just speakers, these are people with words of wisdom and words to change and improve lives."

Ruth Fulton, You Go Girl Book Club, Chicago: "It was the best for my emotional psyche.  I was totally amazed by Susan Taylor and Dr. Cornel West's approachability and their willingness to meet and greet all the attendees.  I also loved Beatrice Berry's song and her frank and in your face speaking."

Best-selling author Victor McGlothlin: "Can't say how much fun it was to be a featured author this year."

Bebe Moore Campbell Memorial Award recipient, Dr. Bertice Berry: "What an amazing movement you have created. People were so filled with the energy you have brought forth. Folks were in the session crying, hugging and sharing their lives with one another. . . Amazing."

Not only did Dr. Cornel West (above) receive the Walter Mosley Author of Distinction Award, but he delivered a brilliant keynote address, which focused on the power of reading, no less. . . he was a gracious as could be. He took photos and signed books while being mobbed before and after the dinner. And he loved every minute of it. So much so, that he returned to the hotel lobby after 1 a.m. to reconvene with book lovers and sign books, autographs and take photos.

Hundreds of photos from the weekend will be posted on www.nationalbookclubconference.com in the next month (the site is free of contamination). And if you have great photos you would like to share, please e-mail them to me.