Storytelling is our history and our gift
Food for thought...
What you'll find on this page is information that may be useful to you. If you have any suggestions for something we should add, please reach out to info@wowbookandtoy.com.
Author Services
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Editor
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Ghost Writer
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Illustrator
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Publishing
Black bookstores in Florida
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African Bookstore - online
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Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature and Culture Museum - St. Augustine, FL
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Black Cafe & Bookstore - Pensacola, FL
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Black English Bookstore - Tampa, FL
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Black English Bookstore Local and Independent Author Program
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Cafe Resistance Bookstore & Coffee Shop - Jacksonville, FL
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cultured books - St. Pete, FL
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Dare Books - Longwood, FL
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Kizzy's Books & More - online
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Pyramid Books - Boynton Beach, FL
Craft Classes
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Kweli Journal and Color of Children Literature Conference (BIPOC literary journal, festivals, and conferences)
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Highlights Foundation (children's writing courses and retreats - online and in-person)
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Grubstreet (Boston-based but many online options available, including Writers of Color Facebook group)
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Inked Voices (online workshops and critique and accountability groups)
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12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge (closed for joining now, but reopens in January)
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The Writing Barn (TX-based)
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Gotham Writers (NY-based)
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The Muse Writing Center (Virginia-based)
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James River Writers (Virginia-based)
Grants and Fellowships
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Baldwin for the Arts (created by Jackie Woodson)
Publishing News and Info
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Jane Friedman (Publishing news and info at Electric Speed newsletter, YouTube webinars)
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Minerva Financial Education & Counseling for Creative Individuals
Querying Help
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QueryTracker (info about agents and platform for tracking your submissions)
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Manuscript Wishlist (info about agents and editors)
Upcoming potential vendor events
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Black Romance Book Fest - Atlanta, GA - June 11 - 13, 2027
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Blk Ink Book Festival - New Orleans, LA - June 20, 2026
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Central Florida Comic Con - Lakeland, FL - January 15 - 17, 2027
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Essence Festival - New Orleans, LA - July 2 to 5, 2027
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2nd Annual Florida Black Author Summit - Jacksonville, FL - April 4, 2026
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Florida Authors and Publishers Association Conference - Orlando, FL - July 31 - August 1, 2026
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Florida Children's Book Festival - Orlando, FL - February 20 - 22, 2026
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FRESH Book Festival - Daytona Beach, FL - January 30 - 31, 2026
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JAX Urban Book Fest - Jacksonville, FL - January 23, 2027
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2026 Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival - St. Pete, FL - February, 14, 2026
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MetroCon - Tampa, FL - July 23 - 25, 2027
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Oxford Exchange Book Fair - Tampa, FL - April 23, 2026
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ROC the Block presents the 5th Annual Juneteenth Festival - Tampa, FL - June 15 to June 20, 2026
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Sunshine State Book Festival - Gainesville, FL - January 23, 2027
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Tampa Bay Comic Convention - Tampa, FL - September 4 to September 6, 2026
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Tampa Black Heritage Festival - Tampa, FL - April 25 - 26, 2026
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Urban Lit Exhibition 850 - Pensacola, FL - August 1 - 2, 2026
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ZORA! Festival - Eatonville, FL - January 30 - February 1, 2026
Writing Organizations
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SCBWI (children's author and illustrator organization--also offers craft workshops)
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GrubStreet's Boston Writers of Color (newsletter and Facebook group)