https://www.thewritewomenbookfest.org/blog
At The Write Women Book Fest, founder Heather Brooks is our knowledgeable, talented, super effective tech wrangler. And thank all the merciful forces of the universe because that's NOT my wheelhouse.
After a near-miss with virtual recording catastrophe in 2019, maybe the lack of tech-related panel chat drama during TWWBF2020 and TWWBF2021 made me too confident last week when setting up to begin Desirable Women of Color—Cultural Touchstones and the History of Body Positivity with Shai August, Pamela Beverly, Delaney Diamond, Carla de Guzman, and Jamie Pope.
At first everything's fine while admitting panelists and chit-chatting, closed captioning activated then the dreaded “connection lost" before the last panelist. Terror, panic, bad language while scrambling to troubleshoot WiFi and log in via my phone, which isn't my preferred device for moderating a panel. But it's better than nothing. Profuse apologies to the panelists who graciously understand and encourage as I juggle my phone into place. Last panelist admitted.
My jumbled, frantic thoughts as WiFi reconnects and my fingers fly across my laptop keyboard:
$@#%!
Oh, this is so unprofessional!
Why now? Why? Why? Why?
Then after all five panelists and I are visible on my screen, “Yay!”
Wave from me to all, then holding up three fingers to countdown to start recording.
“You're on mute,” Shai says.
Because of course I am, I think as I unmute, feeling embarrassed, flustered, and adrenaline drunk while thanking Shai and counting down, again.
My inner hermit expresses no empathy, just smug condescension, as usual.
I (think I've) hit record until after the third author's self-intro when my discombobulated brain
(finally!) registers the absence of a red dot and “rec" on my screen. $@#%!
A sheepish interruption, apologies, a contrite explanation, more apologies, more gracious understanding from these talented successful, generous panelists. A partial restart after actually hitting record this time. *sigh*
And in all of that chaos, closed captioning wasn't reactivated, an oversight for which I sincerely apologize.
Also, addressing “cultural touchstones” became “personal touchstones" when my reader fandom for these authors took control of the conversation, which felt like a gathering of friends sharing their experiences and candid thoughts. Sorry/not sorry.
We'll discuss the impacts of Josephine Baker, Carmen Miranda, Eartha Kitt, Viola Davis, Lupita N’yongo, Lizzo, Soul Train, the evolution of expectations of conformity and assimilation for “mainstream" acceptance and more another time.
Additional apologies to author Pamela Beverly, who has supported The Write Women Book Fest since its start in 2019, for my not realizing until after the panel ended and everyone disconnected that most of her introduction wasn't recorded.
Like each of the other panelists, her work is beautifully and thoughtfully composed.
Many thanks again to these illustrious creatives for their patience, goodwill, professionalism, and generosity.
Enjoy!
And please remember, a busted book-buying budget shouldn't keep readers from trying new-to-you authors and exploring various genres. Browse the catalogues at the local public library for physical and digital materials. Most sites have “make a purchase" request forms for their patrons, which also helps raise an author's visibility.
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