A new year is upon us and some black LGBT writers (you know who you are our media darlings) are letting us know that it’s all about change.

Fire & Ink III: Cotillion is all over it. Hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer writers of African descent are already making plans to head on down to Austin, Texas, from Oct. 8 to Oct. 11, 2009 for Fire & Ink III: Cotillion.

Since our first event in Chicago in 2002 through our upcoming national festival, Fire & Ink, Inc. has been recognized as the most influential supporter and advocate for LGBTQ writers of African descent.

We’ve asked people all over why they are coming to The Cotillion. Writer and UT Professor Dr. Matt Richardson will be there. “So much happens at Fire & Ink,” said Dr. Richardson. “You’re going to be really sad if you miss it.”

The theme of Cotillion was conceived to acknowledge that some of the best creative and cultural work being produced today is created, supported, and/or inspired by LGBT writers and artists of African descent.

Cotillion will create a one-of-a-kind experience where creative artists can meet and work together in an open and supportive environment that fosters the freedom to be who we are and encourages us to live to our best potential.

In a world where our contributions are often ignored, silenced or written out of history, Cotillion is our creative, declarative coming out festival where we as artists affirm the power and significance of our lives and our work.

GET THE PODCAST

http://fireandink.blip.tv/rss/itunes/
– or –
http://tinyurl.com/fire-inkpodcast

Download our Request for Proposals and get in on it! Fire & Ink: Cotillion will bring together hundreds of LGBT writers of African descent whose work spans the genres, including: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, multi-media arts and performance arts. Attendees include writers and scholars, as well as editors, publishers, curators, audio and visual artists, students, teachers, thinkers, media professionals, readers and art lovers.

Fire & Ink has already had a great deal of interest. You can help by submitting a <1,000 word abstract by January 6, 2009, to let us know what you’re thinking and ensure priority consideration.

Abstracts should be submitted by email to fireandink2009@yahoo.com.

For more information about Fire & Ink, Inc. visit www.fireandink.org.
For more information, download the full RFP here.
Come out, come out wherever you are!

Come make history with us!

How about you?
Why will you be there?
(Because you know you will.)
Send us your videos at fireandink2009@gmail.com
and tell us why you’re coming!

Writers, readers, publishers, critics, songwriters, screenwriters, artists, art lovers and culture vultures worldwide heard it here: Don’t just be there — bring it.

The first day of Kwanzaa, December 26th, celebrates Umoja, or Unity. Fire & Ink is recognized as the most influential supporter and advocate for GLBT writers of African descent.

Fire & Ink III: Cotillion is on the way! Hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer writers of African descent will be descending to Austin, Texas, from October 8 to October 11, 2009, for the greatest gathering of literary fierceness on earth.

Steven, Robert & Anthony are going to expand their minds & “get their lives”.

How about you? Why will you be there? (Because you know you will.)
Send us your videos at fireandink2009-at-gmail.com and tell us why you’re coming!

Fire & Ink: Cotillion will bring together hundreds of LGBT writers of African descent whose work spans the genres, including: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, multi-media arts and performance arts. Attendees include writers and scholars, as well as editors, publishers, curators, audio and visual artists, students, teachers, thinkers, media professionals, readers and art lovers.

Download our Request for Proposals and get in on it!

Fire & Ink has already had a great deal of interest.

You can help by submitting a <1,000 word abstract by January 6, 2009, to let us know what you’re thinking and ensure priority consideration. Abstracts should be submitted by email to fireandink2009@yahoo.com.

For more information about Fire & Ink, Inc. visit www.fireandink.org.

For more information, download the full RFP here.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

Fire & Ink III: Cotillion will begin on Thursday, October 8th and conclude on National Coming Out Day, October 11, 2009.

Fire & Ink: Cotillion will bring together hundreds of LGBT writers of African descent whose work spans the genres, including: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, multi-media arts and performance arts. Attendees include writers and scholars, as well as editors, publishers, curators, audio and visual artists, students, teachers, thinkers, media professionals, readers and art lovers.

Cotillion aims to:

• Create a body of writers dedicated to reversing negative trends in cultural, literary and artistic marketplaces, while creating more positive, powerful arenas for those expressions.
• Teach, inspire and encourage each other while creating lasting alliances.
• Discuss the position and importance of black LGBT literature, culture and artistic expression in the context of national and world literature and artwork.
• Develop and implement strategies to encourage universities, libraries, mainstream and independent bookstores, and other venues to integrate more LGBT literature and artwork created by writers of African descent within and outside of traditional curricula and offerings.
• Plan, share and implement professional and artistic opportunities.

Fire & Ink has already had a great deal of interest.

You can help by submitting a <1,000 word abstract by January 6, 2009, to let us know what you’re thinking and ensure priority consideration. Abstracts should be submitted by email to fireandink2009@yahoo.com.

Please include the following in your Abstract Proposal:

• Title of the Paper
• Organizer
  o (including Proposed Participants)
• Abstract (500-1000 words)
• Abstracts Deadline: January 6, 2009.
• Full Proposal Deadline: March 30, 2009.

Possible subjects for workshops, panels and plenary fall in three categories:

1. How-to workshops

Examples: memoir writing, poetry writing, screenwriting, song writing, short fiction writing, YA fiction writing, chapbook production, starting a book club, finding voice, organizing readings. “Beginning” through “Advanced” workshops sought.

2. Publishing, publicity and marketing

Examples: manuscript review, submissions process, electronic/online blogging and publishing, print-on-demand, writers web sites, book marketing, finding an agent, finding a publisher.

3. This historical moment—looking back, now and forward

Examples: AIDS writing, YA fiction, literacy and activism, new writers/new voices, from stage to page and back, teaching black LGBT poetics and literature, the role of the black LGBT writer in this historic moment, cancer writing, taboo writing.

For Full Proposals:

Please title your workshop or panel and include a brief bio for each facilitator, along with a one-paragraph description of your workshop or panel that includes the following information: what questions are you exploring, why is this conversation timely and necessary, how will the workshop or panel further the goals of Fire & Ink: Cotillion; how are you uniquely qualified to lead your proposed workshop or panel, and any special audiovisual or technical requests (NOTE: Presenters should bring their own laptop computers.) you need for presentation. If proposing a workshop, specify workshop duration; panel session length is 1.5 to 2 hours.

• Include full contact information for applicant.

• Abstracts Deadline: January 6, 2009.

• Full Proposal Deadline: March 30, 2009.

• E-mail proposals to fireandink2009@yahoo.com, with subject heading “RFP: Cotillion.”

• We will acknowledge receipt of your proposal within 48 hours.

• Each applicant is limited to three proposals.

We will notify applicants about proposal acceptance by April 30, 2009.

A modest honorarium may be available.

For more information about Fire & Ink, Inc. visit www.fireandink.org.

Download the RFP here.