KISO Books Sponsors First Annual African American Literature Week

KISO Books is sponsoring the First Annual African American Literature Week in Columbus, Ohio from Sunday, February 6, 2005 through Saturday, February 12, 2005. KISO formed the week-long celebration to recognize the significant achievements of African Americans in the literary arts.

(PRWEB) December 31, 2004 -- On February 6-7, 2005, KISO will host African American Read-Ins as a part of the 16th- Annual National African American Read-In, sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English. Participants will have the opportunity to read books by African American authors at several Columbus locations. KISO will tally the number of participants and send the results to the NCTE. In 2003, over 1,000,000 readers participated in the National African American Read-In.

On Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 6:30pm, Farrah Gray, author of Reallionaire: The Essential Lessons that Took Me From Public Assistance to a Millionaire by the Age of 14 (with Fran Harris) will visit Columbus for a book discussion and book-signing. The event will take place at the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center at The Ohio State University, 153 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210. The event is free and open to the public, however, seating is limited. Audience members must have tickets for the book discussion.

AALW continues on Thursday, February 10, 2005 with Poetry in the Winter, hosted by legendary Columbus playwright Is Said. The event will feature eight Columbus poets and an open mic. Poetry in the Winter will take place at the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center beginning at 6:30pm. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

Friday, February 11, 2005 is C.O.L.A. Day (Celebration of Local Authors). From 11am-2pm, local authors will read excerpts from their work during a soul food luncheon at the Frank W. Hale Black Jr. Cultural Center. Authors will be available until 5pm to sign their books. Confirmed authors include National bestselling authors Joylynn Jossel and Khari Enaharo.

AALW culminates on Saturday, February 12, 2005 with African American Literature Day at the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center. The day will include a workshop, 10 Steps to Increase Literacy, a forum, African Americans in the Publishing Industry, a book club meeting, and an African American Book Fair. The main event is the Soul Food Luncheon featuring National Bestselling author Nikki Turner, which begins at 12:30pm.

African American Literature Week is co-sponsored by the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center and supported by the Shepard and Martin Luther King Jr. Branches of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. More events may be included. For additional information about AALW, visit www.kisobooks.com, www.list-online.net or call KISO Books at 1-866-468-7006.

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