Thursday, August 20, 2009

Fire & Ink III: Cotillion Early



Cotillion

October 8-11, 2009
Hilton Austin, Austin, TX
http://2009.fireandink.org


Register now - $125 early bird rate ends Aug. 31!
(Remember, registration ends Oct. 1, 2009,
and there's NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION.)


Your most frequently asked questions, answered!

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!



Register now - $125 early bird rate
ends Aug. 31!
(Remember, registration ends Oct. 1, 2009,
and there's NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION.)

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