Okay, so you say you haven’t purchased your tickets yet for Fire & Ink III:Cotillion in Austin, Texas, happening October 8-11, 2009? Well, you’re in luck because I’d just got word from the website that the discount rate which saves you $50 is extended through August 31, 2009!
Plus they’ve added a more extensive FAQ for all your burning questions.
Q: Is it too late to register for the early bird rate of $125?
A: No, it’s not too late! The early bird registration deadline is extended until Aug. 31, 2009. Early bird registration is $125; regular registration rate is $175 until Oct. 1. There is no registration after Oct. 1, and no on-site registration.Q: What does my registration fee cover?
A: Registration for Cotillion includes access to all daytime activities: writing workshops, panel and roundtable discussions, open mics, keynote address and evening performances. Breakfast and lunch is included on Friday and Saturday; dinner is on your own. Registration does not include a ticketed event on Friday night, nor the Cotillion dance on Saturday night, but those tickets will be $15 and under.Q: Where is the Cotillion writers festival being held? Is it far from the hotel?
A: All daytime Cotillion activities will be at the Hilton Austin, 500 East 4th St., Austin, TX.Q: Is Cotillion only open to black LGBTQ writers? Do you have to be of African descent to attend? Do you have to be a writer to attend?
A: No! Cotillion is open to anyone who’s interested in black LGBTQ writing. This means any ethnicity, nationality, sexual preference, gender identity… you get the picture. This also means that Cotillion is open to writers–beginning, intermediate, established–and readers, and librarians, and academics, and book club members, and students, and media professionals, and curators … anyone who is interested in black LGBTQ writing.Q: Is it too late to be a presenter?
A: Yes. Proposals for the Cotillion program schedule were solicited late last year; we spent a good deal of time whittling down a great number of proposals in the spring, and made final decisions in May 2009.Q: Will there be help for students?
A: Yes. We are currently funding 20 student scholarships, and will post that information on the Cotillion web site by the end of August.Q: The hotel price seems high. What’s up with that?
A: We did our best in negotiating the hotel price; there is a University of Texas football game that weekend, and football is really big in Texas. The hotel rate–$179 a night–is good for up to triple occupancy, so we are encouraging everyone to find a roommate–a friend, a writing buddy, a literature lover–and double or triple up. Our presenters will be doubled up, so understand that we’re all in this together when it comes to the hotel.Q: Can you help me find a roommate? I don’t know anyone else going.
A: Yes. We will have roommate matching information on the Cotillion web site shortly.Q: I really wish I could make it this year, but I can’t. May I donate my registration?
A: Yes, you can! Contact us at info@fireandink.org after you register and let us know you’d like to donate a registration for a student or an unemployed person, and we will make sure your registration goes to a deserving applicant.Q: Is it too late to get an ad in the Cotillion program book?
A: We still have a bit of room; contact us ASAP at info@fireandink.org if you’d like to place an ad. All ads and payment must be processed before Aug. 31, 2009 in order to get the book to the printer on time.Q: Will there be space for vendors, and what is the fee?
A: Yes, we will have a limited number of vendor spaces available. All vendors must register for Cotillion as attendees; additionally, vendor fees are $25 per day, two-day minimum. Vendor information will be available on the web site shortly; e-mail us at info@fireandink.org if you’d like to vend.Q: How can I be a sponsor for Cotillion?
A: To become a Cotillion sponsor, check out our sponsor rates here. You should contact us at info@fireandink.org as soon as possible if you plan to be a sponsor.Q: When is the next writers festival?
A: Not until 2013. So make plans to come now. You won’t want to miss this!
Now, my Texas friends, there is no reason why you should miss this event. Yes, I know that the March for Marriage Equality is happening in Wahington D.C. on the same weekend, but you can bet that the March will happen again next year especially as states continue to vote on some form of civil union or marriage. However, this event is important for acknowledging texts and media that celebrate our equality amongst ourselves and the mainstream African-American community, and will not repeat next year. Make a Texas-sized statement that you value the contributions made by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of African-descent. Go sign up to attend or, at the very least contribute towards the festival, now!
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