If you’re a style blogger in Birmingham, this week is your content Christmas because Magic City Fashion Week is finally here!
The Little Press That Could
You could say that Liza Elliott thinks like a rock star.
“Just like a musician can set up their own production company to write, produce, and sell their music, I thought, why not authors?” Elliott says. So six years ago she started Red Camel Press, a small publishing house based here Birmingham.
Now she’s following in the footsteps of musicians who collaborate with other artists. Elliott has partnered with Kaneshia Sims Hudson, a public relations and marketing professional and owner of Red PaSH Magazine and The Southern PaSH Company. Hudson helped with the marketing of some of Red Camel Press early publications including Elliott’s novel 30-A Supper Club, the accompanying cookbook, 30-A Supper Club: The Cookbook, and the art book John Lonergan: Painter. With this new partnership Hudson is now co-owner of Red Camel Press. Elliott and Hudson are eager to work with emerging writers with unique stories, especially those related to science, and are even interested in publishing graphic novels.
The latest work published by Red Camel Press is Everything is Known, a sci-fi, futuristic novel, highlighting the journey of a strong, fiery female protagonist fighting against oppression. The novel is due to hit shelves this fall.
For my latest piece for B-Metro magazine, I had a chat with Elliott and Hudson about their partnership and about the future of Red Camel Press. You can read the interview at B-Metro.com.
Let’s Get Ready to #bloglikecrazy
It’s almost time to blog like crazy! Every November I challenge the women of See Jane Write to publish a new blog post every day for 30 days. I’ll give you encouragement along the way by sharing blogging tips and post ideas using the hashtag #bloglikecrazy. And if you use the #bloglikecrazy hashtag when you share your posts on social media I’ll help promote your posts, too.
Now you may be thinking, “Why on earth should I blog every day for 30 days?”
Good question. I believe blogging every day for 30 days will boost your creativity, your community, and your consistency. I break down each of these here.
Or maybe you’re thinking, “How on earth am I supposed to blog every day for 30 days?” Well, I’m hoping this blog post will help you with that.
How to Make the Most of a Blogging Conference
I have a confession: I am obsessed with blogging conferences. I attend at least one each year and some years I attend one each season. One year I attended three blogging conferences in a single summer! From big national conferences like BlogHer and Blogalicious to Birmingham-based conferences like Y’all Connect and WordCamp Birmingham, if I can be there, I will be.
Once a friend asked me if I actually still get anything out of blogging conferences since I’ve been blogging for nearly a decade and since I have attended so many blogging workshops and events. My answer was simple: “Absolutely!”
Have Girls’ Day Out at Birmingham’s Southern Women’s Show
It’s become a family tradition. Every fall my mother and I have a girls’ day out at Birmingham’s Southern Women’s Show. Some years the day is extra special when my favorite aunt and cousin come along, too. Yesterday, I and a few other local bloggers and influencers got a special preview of this year’s show, which will be held October 5 – 8 at Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
Savannah Chrisley from the hit TV show Chrisley Knows Best will be featured on the Fashion & Entertainment Stage Saturday, October 7 at 1 p.m. Savannah is the youngest person to ever appear on HSN, where she debuted her fashion line “Faith Over Fear” at 19. Savannah also gives back, working with organizations that help rescue women from sex trafficking and with groups that help provide clean water to those in need.
If you’re heading to the show on Friday, make your way to the Fashion & Entertainment Stage at 6 p.m. for Girls’ Night Out, a special show presented by the men of the Birmingham Fire Department to raise money for the American Cancer Society. For reasons you can probably guess, my mom and aunt LOVE this part of the show. And the phrase “Ah, sookie, sookie, now!” is repeated often. You can also buy a calendar featuring these handsome heroes for $20 while you’re at the show.
My fellow writers and book lovers will be happy to know that this year the Southern Women’s Show will feature a Southern Authors Showcase including Judy Renee Singer (author of In the Shadows of Alabama), Food Network star Martie Duncan (author of Martie Knows Parties), Kimberly Lang (author of More Than Anything), Olivia Debelle Byrd (author of Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle), Diane Burch (author of Maxnificent! The Polka Dot Pyrenees; Max will be there, too), and Katherine Clark (author of the Mountain Brook novels — The Ex-Suicide, The Harvard Bride, All the Governor’s Men, and The Headmaster’s Darlings.
The authors will be featured on the Spotlight Stage throughout the weekend. On that stage, you’ll also find fitness demonstrations, essential oils workshops, and much more. At the Fashion & Entertainment Stage, you can see fashion shows, dance and music performances, contests, and more. Unclaimed Baggage will also be on the Spotlight Stage hosting various activities, including the opportunity to explore a suitcase that’s never been opened. And be sure to stop by the Unclaimed Baggage vendor booth where you can take a fun photo inside a stack of luggage!
Speaking of fun photos, you must get some snapshots at the Happy Trails Photo Booth while you’re at the show. You’ll also find yourself taking pictures of the photo booth itself because it’s so adorable. But first head to the Aveda Institute of Birmingham booth or the Salon 43 One booth so you can check out their Braid Bar. That’s right; you can get your hair braided while you’re at the show — for free!
One of thing my mom and aunt love to do at the show is hang out at the cooking stage, which features local chefs whipping up delicious dishes that attendees get to sample. During last night’s preview, I had a chance to sample some pasta prepared by Linda Croley owner of Bare Naked Noodles. Their pasta is made from farm fresh local ingredients and with the help of family recipes.
The Birmingham Southern Women’s Show will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $12 at the door, but I’m giving away a pair of tickets today over on Instagram. Follow me at @seejavaciawrite for details.