Sorority showcases black female writers

In an attempt to inform young people of the "unique achievements [and] difficulties" faced by minority writers, the Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. sorority sponsored a "Spotlight on African American Women Writers" Tuesday afternoon. The event was part of the sorority's annual "AKA Month," which is held each February to familiarize the University and Philadelphia community with African American culture. Approximately 15 people attended the panel discussion. Held at the Penn Women's Center, the discussion featured two published writers: Lolita Files, author of the best-selling novel Scenes from a Sistah and Janice Ferebee, author of Got it Goin' on: An Image Awareness Guide for Young Ladies and a student at Penn's School of Social Work. Both are members of the AKA sorority. After a brief introduction by AKA cultural chairperson and Wharton junior Courtney Dodd, the floor was opened to a question-and-answer session. Questions addressed a variety of topics pertaining to African American women and writing, including the inspirations for the two authors' works and the difficulties faced by African American women trying to get their work published. The two authors also recounted their own publishing experiences. Files said that in her case, "getting into the writing business was much easier than I thought it would be." After deciding to become a writer, Files contacted John Grisham's agent because she decided that "[Grisham] had the best agent." She sent him a few short stories and was immediately signed to a contract. But Files emphasized that although her novel was published by a major company -- Time Warner Inc. -- her writing career has not been problem-free. "[African American writers] come from the position of having to prove ourselves first, to prove that there is an audience," she said. "[The big publishing firms] don't trust [African Americans] as readers." Ferebee, who published her book herself as part of a project to help young girls, took a different route than the commercially published Files. In an attempt to both sell her book and advise young women, Ferebee used a more "grassroots approach," traveling to schools, prisons and anywhere else she felt could be of help to young girls. Even at these locations Ferebee had trouble selling her books because "they want to see a publisher," she said. "You have to have a huge following or a publisher to ensure the publication of a work," she added. Both authors offered advice for young writers aspiring to have their works published. The two stressed the importance of knowing the business and utilizing the resources provided by family and friends. "Do not let anyone deter you from your dream. Hold onto your dream? do whatever you can to hone it, polish it and make it better," Files advised. "You never know, you may be the exception." Other events sponsored by the AKA sorority this month include their annual Soul Food dinner, AKAcise Hip-Hop style and "PoJazz," an evening of poetry, artwork and jazz.