Do you think it's possible for a writer to have a black main character without the book being immediately labeled “Black/African-American” fiction?
Most of the stories I'm writing do feature black characters in the lead role. But unlike the majority of fiction with the above label, my cast features all races, not just black people.
Will my work will be marginalized just by my main character alone? I honestly don't want that to happen, because my stories are for everyone. Not just black people, not just fantasy readers, not just teenagers or “young adult” readers, but everyone who enjoys a good story. I don't want to be stuck in a section that whole groups of people will automatically skip over when they're browsing the bookstore.
So: Is it possible to write a black lead without being stuck into a category that limits your potential for readership?
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