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Reading Too Much Into Race

Posted by A J Harper on December 24, 2008 at 9:09pm

By Carleen Bricewww.washingtonpost.comSunday, December 21, 2008; Page B04What, you haven't heard of it?Wondering whether it's a joke?Well, it is and it isn't. I've got my tongue firmly lodged against my cheek, but I'm really hoping that this holiday season you'll buy a book by a black author and give it to somebody who isn't black.Because as a black author trying to reach a wider audience, I believe that this guerrilla marketing effort -- although sort of a stunt -- may be one of the only ways writers like me will be able to find white readers.The accepted wisdom of the publishing industry is that books by black authors should be marketed to black audiences; after that, hopefully, they will cross over to whites and others. This is what a writer friend of mine was told when she wrote her first book. Ten books later, she has yet to cross over, despite respectable sales and favorable reviews. Without that crossover success, she's having a hard time finding a publisher for her latest literary novel. One editor rejected her latest work with the comment that it was beautifully written, but since there hadn't been a new "breakout" African American author in years, she would have to pass on it.It's not that black readers aren't buying books. According to the research firm Target Market News, which tracks African American consumer spending, black households spent an estimated $270 million on books in 2007.But as my writer friend's situation and that of many others illustrates, it's extremely hard to have a viable career in publishing without support from a wider (read: not exclusively black) audience. And it's difficult for black authors, especially of literary fiction, to develop the buzz that sells books. White readers don't hear our books discussed generally (except, of course, the ones by heavy hitters such as Toni Morrison, Alice Walker and a few others). And without media exposure and water-cooler talk, they don't know which of our books they might like.Publishers themselves are spending their precious marketing dollars targeting black readers specifically. "As editors and publishers we have to acknowledge that the base audience for these books are African American readers," said Stacey Barney, an editor with the Penguin imprint G.P. Putnam's Sons. "Once you've secured that base readership, then you can go after other markets for the book."But securing that base readership is part of the problem. A trip to one of the major chain bookstores shows what Barney's talking about. Walk past the general fiction section, and you'll find the African American fiction section. The shelves there will be lined with all the same subjects you find in the rest of the bookstore. The one thing linking them is that the authors are black. It's very handy if all you read is fiction by black people. You can go right to your "special section." Someone like me, who enjoys a wider variety of reading, might look in both general fiction and the black fiction section. I'm black and would never feel out of place browsing in the black books section. A white reader, on the other hand, might not take that same look and might not know that the books exist at all.Borders developed its stand-alone African American fiction section more than a decade ago, according to buyer Ernesto Martinez. "The stand-alone section is a successful strategy," he said.After years of being against the idea, the Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver, my local independent bookstore, is considering launching an African American fiction section in its flagship location. Black customers asked for one after the store moved to a more diverse neighborhood.To me, it seems a bit ironic that, at a time when black authors are fighting not to be marginalized, some black readers are asking for African American fiction sections. But I can understand their reasons. Some blacks read only books by black authors out of loyalty or a desire to keep seeing stories about themselves in print. It makes sense that they'd like to find those books in one location, but it also speaks to the way readers have come to expect a dividing line, books clearly marked "us" and "them."Marketing black books only to black readers is frustrating in another way. Who says that all black readers are alike? That's a question Karen Hunter has struggled with. She's an author who also has her own imprint with Simon & Schuster's Pocket Books, primarily publishing works by black authors. "Black people are not monolithic -- we don't all like the same things," she said. "So why wouldn't a white person be interested in some of the same subjects that a black person would?"Of course, one best-selling black author of the moment happens to be our president-elect. Black writers are hopeful that Barack Obama's election will help publishers "get a clue about our stories," as Lori L. Tharps, author of the memoir "Kinky Gazpacho" put it recently in an article on the Root. "Obama has proved, after all, that readers of all races and backgrounds can take to non-mainstream literary portraits of the American experience," she wrote.The novelist Bernice McFadden wrote on her blog that Obama's popularity has the potential to change how black authors are published and marketed. She hopes that the interest in Obama -- as president and as an author -- might translate into a different approach to introducing black authors to a wide range of readers. "How many other industries practice this [segregated marketing] behavior?" McFadden asked. "I love me some Paul Simon and when I drive through the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn I see Jewish boys pushing Cadillac SUVs blasting 50 Cent and Jay-Z, so why is publishing operating as if this is the Dark Ages?"Sometimes it seems like the Dark Ages to me, too. But I remember an even darker age. After all, it wasn't too long ago that the publishing industry thought that black people didn't buy books. I own a how-to-get-published guide that's copyrighted 1985. "Your book may be of interest to minorities, the elderly, or the handicapped," it states, "but stressing these groups won't help sell your proposal because publishers do not perceive them as important book buyers."I purchased that guide in 1992, the same year that Terry McMillan's blockbuster "Waiting to Exhale" proved to publishers that black people do indeed buy books. I ignored the guide's advice and wrote a self-help book targeted specifically at blacks.More recently, I turned to fiction. That's when I found not only that minorities are "important book buyers," but that it's often impossible to predict the universal appeal of a specific story.My first novel, "Orange Mint and Honey," is about the adult child of an alcoholic and her now-sober mother. A few months after it was published this year, I got an e-mail from a reader. "I bet you never thought a middle-aged white guy would read your book and cry," he wrote.I guess I'm naïve, but yeah, I did kind of hope that I might get a few teary-eyed white-guy readers. While I was writing, I wasn't thinking about the characters being black, and I certainly never thought of their story as "a black story."So although it might not be in the best taste to recommend that particular title for your holiday gift-giving needs (at least, not only that particular title), it would help you mark the traditional season -- plus our new December holiday: Buy a Book by a Black Author and Give It to Somebody Not Black Month.carleen@carleenbrice.comCarleen Brice is a writer and blogger living in Denver.
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8 Questions for Ta'Shia Asanti sci-fi/fantasy writer, poet,

Posted by A J Harper on December 22, 2008 at 10:00pm

To borrow from an insightful blog Obama is representative of the Black american we seldom see in publishing. Meaning, he is not a whore-monger, drug-dealer, drug user or absent baby-daddy. He is not a slave to designer labels and he does not wear bling. We have not seen him ducking into a bodega to buy a forty, he does not congregate on street corners, and no source has come forward to reveal that he smoked a blunt before his debates with John McCain. If he wears a "wife-beater" it's hidden beneath his shirt, exactly where it's supposed to be. He does not wear his pants down around his knees, nor does he throw up gang signs at the end of his wildly televised speeches.OK so after nearly a decade of the market being deluged with books focusing on the aforementioned stereotypes what happens now?Will publishers change gears and begin publishing works written by African American that speak to a multitude of people? Or will they remain stagnet and committed to a shattered belief system?

Publishers may remain committed to a shattered belief system, but its the Black writing community's job to expose our own talents, which is one of the many things that will happen on this blog starting with sci-fi/fantasy writer, poet, filmmaker, producer, and founder-your world tv Iya Ta'Shia Asanti who talks about her newest novel

the-seer2The Seer Legacy of Stone & Spirit-

Correction officer by day, psychic by night, Violet Brown struggles to understand her medium abilities while her dreams lead her to a fourth world where ancient African dieties perform miracles in every day life. Violet's main spirit guide materializes to take her on a journey to rediscover her African roots and reconnect her with the last living descendent of her tribe. As she searches for Olokun, her ancestral sister, Violet finds herself in the middle of a deadly ring of human traffickers who have kidnapped Olokun. As she tries to make sense of the magic and mysticism that has become her reality, Violet meets the love of her life, a handsome attorney, named Darryl Collins who will one day be her saving grace. Will Violet find Olokun before she is sold off into human slavery? Will the Orisa's, the God's of West Africa, be strong enough to protect Violet from a regime more deadly than anything she could ever imagine? Is Darryl the man she thinks he is or is he a lying, cheating dog like her ex, David? There is only one person who knows the answers to these questions. And she is Violet Brown, the world's most gifted Seer....

Q. Where did you find the original impulse to write The Seer?

Ta'Shia. The Seer is based in theory on my own life experiences as a seer and medium, as well as my journey is exploring African history pre-slavery and becoming a Yoruba priestess.

Q. Who inspired the characters of your novel Ta'Shia. The characters in my book were inspired by the Orisa, dieties of the West African spiritual tradition, Ifa, as well as the ancesters who came to visit me in my dreams for nearly 20 years. Q. Looking at the book now, what surprises you?

Ta'Shia I thought mainstream America would really have a problem with this book but so far, it has touched all who've read it.

Q. Many writers describe themselves as "character" or "plot" writers.Ta'Shia. Which are you? What do you find to be the hardest part of writing?

I would classify myself as a Character writer though I love a strong and moving plot.

Q. Who has influenced you in your writing?

Ta'Shia. Eric Jerome Dickey, Octavia Butler are two of my greatest influences though I'm a fan of Robin Cook and a huge lover of all things Sidney Sheldon.

Q. What was the book that most influenced your life and why?

Ta'Shia. One of the books that really moved me was Robin Cook's Outbreak as well as Sydney Sheldon's If Tomorrow Comes.

Q. What are your 2 favorite books and why?

Ta'Shia. Two of my favorite books are The Other Woman by Eric Jerome Dickey and The Interruption of Everything by Terri McMillan. I also love EJD's newest hitman series, Sleeping With Strangers etc.

Q. What are you currently working on?

Ta'Shia. I am currently working on the sequel to The Seer. It’s called, The Bones Do Talk.

To order The Seer click here

Visit her at Black Science Fiction Society

or at http://www.tashiaasanti.com

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Canaan's Labyrinth is Available in Stores!

Posted by Fumi Bankole on December 22, 2008 at 5:41pm
Finally! Canaan's Labyrinth is available in paper back for $14.95 at the following stores and websites:Esowon Books4331 Degnan Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90008(323) 290-1048Small World Books1407 Ocean Front WalkVenice, CA 90291Amazon.comwww.myspace.com/fumibankoleThanks everyone for your support and interest in Canaan's... If you have positive feedback upon finishing your reading adventure, please post it in cyberspace. :)
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Great sites to add to your google reader or rss feed

Posted by Carole McDonnell on December 22, 2008 at 1:43pm
http://thedarksalon.blogspot.com/http://evileditor.blogspot.com/http://edittorrent.blogspot.com/http://www.writingexcuses.com/http://thewritingcast.com/blog/http://www.floggingthequill.com/flogging_the_quill/http://practicing-writing.blogspot.com/http://anthologynewsandreviews.blogspot.com/http://www.placesforwriters.com/http://hopeclark.blogspot.com/http://queryshark.blogspot.com/
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In Like Flynn - 11:30pm CST - www.blogtalkradio.com/Penelope_Flynn

Posted by Penelope on December 20, 2008 at 10:38pm
Join Penelope and Otto as they discuss the best and worst of this week's TV news and entertainment. In the tradition of this great entertainment market, Penelope and Otto tell you what to buy, sell or hold and where you should spend your valuable TV minutes.Listen to In Like Flynn on internet talk radioTHIS WEEK: Who throws shoes?! Why you should know the name "Elizabeth Warren" and Why we shouldn't be asleep at the wheel as Obama announces his first round draft picks for his cabinet and other appointments!!Call in at 718/508-9683 and tell us about your week and your week's favorites! Click on the blogtalk icon, listen in and join us in the Chat room! We talk All Things Social and Sexual - and so should you!!
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WHOOPI BRINGS 'STRANGE' SERIES TO INTERNET: 'View' co-host to star and exec produce miniseries for FEARnet.com.

Posted by L Martin Johnson Pratt on December 19, 2008 at 11:41am
Whoopi Goldberg will executive produce and play the lead character in "Strange," a new science-fiction miniseries to debut next month on the Internet.The Oscar-winning actress and co-host of ABC's "The View" will star as Jodi, a woman trying to come to terms with her lifelong fears, reports Variety.The series, airing in six five-minute weekly segments, will debut online at FEARnet.com and on video-on-demand beginning Jan. 15.This will be the sixth original series for FEARnet, which is a joint venture between Comcast, Sony Pictures Television and Lionsgate. VOD is available on Comcast, Time Warner and Cox cable operators.
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OPEN FOR COVER ART & COMMISSIONS

Posted by Big Dave on December 15, 2008 at 3:30pm
COMMISSIONSI always get ask about how much I charged . so here it go's .BustsPencils: $8Inks: Add $10Marker(grays): Add $2Half-bodyPencils: $10Inks:Add $15Marker (grays): Add $5Full-bodyPencils: $25 - $100, depending on complexity (group shot etc).Inks: Add $10 - 15Marker (grays) Add $5 - $10ALL DIGITAL COLORS: Add $20 - $35 depending on complexity. we'll decide the price from there.All other services such as *BOOK COVERS* CHARACTER DESIGN* STORYBOARDS * LOGOS * CD PACKAGE DESIGN * BUSINESS CARDS * T-SHIRTS * COMIC BOOK DEVELOPMENT * COVERS Etc... Please contact me @ biggdave30@aol.com for all pricing.I also reserve the right to refuse any offer that I feel I can't do a good job on. This is more of a precaution for you than I, though.Process:Send me a note describing what kind of commission you are looking for and a description of what you'd like me to draw. After we agree on a price and everything, I'll send you small copies of the sketch to make sure the drawing looks like what you want, then proceed with any other progress images necessary from that point on (if you wish). I will not send the final copy until I receive full payment, however I will NOT START on project until HALF of the agreed PAYMENT is PAID.Right now, I only use Pay Pal, but if you really want a commission and can't use Pay Pal, note me and we can discuss an alternate form of payment.If the image is exceedingly simple, I might lower the cost a bit. However, I will NOT charge more at the end if I feel the drawing was more difficult than previously expected.I HOPE TO HERE FROM YOU ALL SOONThanksBig Dave

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Call for Submissions - Writer's Market

Posted by Penelope on December 13, 2008 at 2:44pm
I found this in my email as I was clearing them out. It is dated 9/2608 but didn't have a closing date so I decided to post it for those who might be interested.CALL FOR SUBMISSIONSAlice Pope, who will be editing the 2010 edition of Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, welcomes submissions for the next edition of NSSWM. Alice would like pitches for articles and interviews that fit the following sections in the book: The Writing Life, Craft & Technique, Getting Published, For Mystery Writers, For Romance Writers, and For Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writers.To get an even better idea of what is wanted, you should check out a copy of the 2009 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market at your local bookstore or library. Queries can be sent to Alice's attention at nsswm@fwpubs.com.
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Black Science Fiction Store -Prototype Ready We Need Your Products

Posted by Administrator: Jarvis Sheffield on December 13, 2008 at 2:00pm
CALLING ALL PRODUCERS –SELL YOUR ITEMS IN OUR STORE The Black Science Fiction Store is almost ready to launch.We want to promote your products to sell on consignment in the store. If you have products to sell such as books, comics, movies, toys, games, art, clothing, sculptures, music, posters etc, please email us at bsfs@thedigitalbrothers.com It’s simple we charge a $35 annual setup fee. We will promote your products on BlackScienceFictionsSociety.com as Well as our sister site www.UrbanSavvy.com We look forward to working with you to give your products a venue to be promoted, as well as increasing your bottom line by selling more products and maximizing your revenue! http://www.blacksciencefictionstore.com
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YES THE BIRTH OF THE STIL- MOTION COMIX IS HERE!!!!!!!

Posted by AnimArkaneStudios on December 10, 2008 at 9:27pm
Definition: A STIL-MOTION COMIX is a comic book online or downloadable that has some animated sequences and some sound fx. The trick is not to over do,( creating to much animation or sound fx that takes the READER away from the comic format.)or under do, ( Not enough animated action to entertain the animation geek in you) the comic. The GLASCO FORMAT IS REQUIRED TO BE A STIL-MOTION COMIX. YES THE STYLE IS COPYRIGHTED. SO BITERS BEWARE.
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Sites to help write synopses, queries, proposals

Posted by Carole McDonnell on December 9, 2008 at 9:06am
PROPOSALShttp://www.rsingermanson.com/assets/pdf/O2Proposal.pdfhttp://www.alivecommunications.com/main.asp?a==SampleProposal/http://bigscoreproductions.com/Agents.htm#proposalsSYNOPSEShttp://www.sff.net/people/kanago/synopsis.htmhttp://www.mkdesigner.com/synop.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/9534/barebones.htmlwww.sff.net/people/alicia/artout.htmhttp://www.charlottedillon.com/synopsis.htmlhttp://www.fictionwriters.com/tips-synopsis.htmlhttp://il.essortment.com/synopsiswriteb_rqmx.htmwww.eclectics.com/articles/synopsis.htmlwww.fictionwriters.com/tips-synopsis.htmlwww.gailmartin.com/secrets_of_the_heart_synopsis.htmwww.writing-world.com/publish/synopsis.shtmlwww.author-network.com/synopsis.htmlbrendacoulter.com/BrendaCoulterSynopsis.htmwww.vivianbeck.com/writing/tips/mewrite.htmwww.gryphonbooksforwriters.com/WTFS.htmwww.geocities.com/hotclue/barebones.htmlhttp://www.sfwa.org/writing/OP71.htmhttp://www.pammc.com/Synopsis.htmhttp://www.aboutwords.org/writers/tipssynopsis.htmlhttp://www.kathycarmichael.com/synopsis.fiction.handout.clearwater.htmlSAMPLE SYNOPShttp://www.sfwriter.com/syia.htmhttp://www.steampunk.com/sfch/writing/ckilian/http://members.aol.com/hrwdebhale/Shortandlongsyn.htmhttp://fmwriters.com/Visionback/Issue9/GBI.htmhttp://www.noveltalk.com/Brief%20Word%20on%20Synopses.htmlAlso remember the following sites for queries:http://www.floggingthequill.com/flogging_the_quill/http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/http://thedarksalon.blogspot.com/http://edittorrent.blogspot.com/A list of major characters' names (with brief descriptions) can sometimes be helpful in keeping the story straight; if used, such a list usually goes at the beginning of the synopsis.A background section sometimes precedes the synopsis itself, especially if the story's context requires some explanation. (This seems especially true of science fiction, fantasy, and historical novels, where the plot may hinge on unfamiliar story elements.) Otherwise, such explanation simply crops up where required in the synopsis.http://www.steampunk.com/sfch/writing/ckilian/#3
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