That’s right we said it! Or would you like to continue to ride in the back of the bus.
We ran across this profound article today in BookRiot.com by Syreeta Barlow. It was written in 2014 but today in 2016, it still speaks to the problems with the African-American book section today. I dare you to read it!
Some of the most poignant areas of the article reads:
“As a writer, my absolute fear was ending up, not in the clearance bin, but in the African-American section……. Opportunity should not extend itself solely on the color of the character on the cover, but by what’s written inside. I’m not saying that all books by all Black authors are good and deserving and special, but certainly that’s also not the case for authors of any race. There will be bad books. And there will be good books…….. As readers, it should be up to us whether or not we will stick with the fiction we know, or expand our horizons to different fare. Bookstores that take that option out of our hands feed into our prejudices by holding authors hostage in a designated area that gets far too little foot traffic. The author’s name and the character’s color should not limit us in what we choose to read.”
The way the book stores align black author books, continues the world’s discrimination of African-Americans as a whole. We have to disband all African-American book sections and demand to not be segregated by race; or in the words of Syreeta Barlow, “… besides the African-American section, the only other fiction shelf that I see earmarked by ethnicity is the Spanish-language section (which also houses popular books like Twilight and Harry Potter en espanol). So many Black authors …are… pushed to the back… As if the book is completely written in Ebonics or something.”
The romance and women’s fiction book industry is a profitable industry that we’re being financially segregated out of. In fact, it is a billion dollar industry and we have to get a strategy that overcomes the system to be front and center in the game of opportunity.
Join us at the RSJ Book Lovers Convention, where we’ll be discussing the book industry and where the African-American author and black books fall within it. As well as how you as an author and/or reader can help make positive changes.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Be sure to comment below.
(To read the full article by Syreeta Barlow, Click Here)
View a promo VIDEO of the RSJ Event discussion on this topic, Click Here
UPDATE: The 2018 RSJ convention is now open for registration. This is a writers and readers event geared for promoting diversity in literature. Will you be the next Emma Award winning author? – LEARN MORE ABOUT RSJ
Interesting post. I wholeheartedly agree with the “segregation” observation. Yet, many black authors repeatedly label their own works as “African American romance” or “African American [fill in the blank].” The referenced article articulates exactly why I dislike categorizing works as “African American” anything. There’s no such thing as “African American romance” unless there’s also “white romance” or “white fiction.” (I’ve yet to see those sections marked in a book store.)
I realize the traditional publishing industry has long locked itself into such labeling segregationist. When selecting (or checking) categories on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, “African American” is the choice recommended for any book with black or African American protagonists. With my first indie release, I struggled with whether or not to classify COUNSELOR UNDONE as an African American romance. After all, I wrote it as a romance…period. Not a romance for black people.
It’s a double-edged sword. On the one hand, we want those looking specifically for romance featuring black/AA protagonists to find us. On the other hand, we don’t want other readers to overlook our stories simply because our characters are black/AA. Nevertheless, I feel we need to be mindful going forward of how we automatically buy into segregationist labeling even when doing our own marketing. Are we black authors referring to our works in our blogs, newsletters, web sites, and other marketing as African American _______?
It’s time we stop self-perpetuating this “back of the bus” genre segregation. As long as we also call our works “African American romance” (or African American anything), why wouldn’t they push us into the (tiny) African American book section?
You definitely bring some valid points to think about. I can’t wait for the Forum: African American Book Section – Yea or Nay at 2017 Romance Slam Jam. A little birdie told me that if you’re an African American author, it should not be missed.
The African American sections are slowly disappearing from book sections; however, so are the choices of African American authors in many sections. With only a few book stores left, the choices are even getting slimmer. Going to Amazon or bn.com to find authors/books will soon be the last resort. African American authors should communicate/market to ALL readers if they want their books read by ALL readers and not limit them selves. Post on Facebook pages, advertise in books and magazines, and join book groups other than the AA groups. African American readers should not be inconvenienced because an author wants other readers to read their books; although, they promote their books mainly to AA readers. Very few Caucasian authors advertise to AA readers.
I’m just curious… I’m wondering if you find most of the AA books via online search or word of mouth through friends and AA networks or book stores? That’s for sure something we’ll all need to consider in our AA book industry position.
As a reader, my problem has been seeking out the book by an African American Author. I read an average of 1 -2 books a week and love most genres, all a but I really enjoy romance with a kick. I spend several hours each week at Barnes and Nobel because I enjoy connecting with people, and I like to browse. Sometimes, I specifically want to read a book with an African American lead. Unless I know the book specifically or the author there is no place to go to find it.
That’s a good question. How are we going to find our AA authors in a sea of dominating non-AA books. hmmmm
According to a survey called Diversity in Publishing from 2015, the key players from reviewers, editors, executives, etc. are predominately white with only 3% of the staff being black. The book industry decision makers lack diversity and this certainly reflects the small African American book section and/or the lack of diversity in general. Caucasians don’t have to market to AA, because they know we’ll buy them anyway, I mean it is their world. But we all know that they rarely publish or buy our books thinking our stories are “unrelatable”. So to me, it becomes a bigger issue of MONEY. As a people, we are constantly attempting to catch up financially. Romance novels are a $1.4 billion dollar industry. Is it possible they have us right where they want us… in the dark corner on the two shelves of the African American book section where we’re guaranteed not to be any competition for those billions of dollars? But then again, how else are we suppose to find books with our characters written by AA authors? Do we have to become a “trojan horse” to dominate the industry? I’m glad we’ll be discussing this at this years Romance Slam Jam because we definitely need to get a strategy for success in place.
I have authored twelve novellas. My first full length novel, I uploaded to Smashwords in 2014- it ended up on Nook. Barnesandnoble.com- my cover non descript- no cover models’ just a beautiful cover black background, red roses and my title. Upon review, “nice little urban book.” I was able to capture someones attention, but automatucally they labeled the book. It’s frustrating to me but the same time it encouraged me to keep writing. I write. Now I’m contracted to write “Urban Romance”‘ I allowed myself to get put in thus “box” because the readers chose my book, thas what they want to read. I grew reading my mother’s Black Romance and Black Confessions magazines in the 90’s. I always knew I wanted to share stories like those. The selection seemed small as opposed to Harlequinn Romance and main stream published books. Where did urban, black fiction, Contemporary Romance come from? As a reader I find it easy to get lost in a book that describes someone who looks just like me. I can identify. That comment made me feel as if reader saw an African American couple on the cover she would have bypassed my book. Who pUT us in a box?
I wish I could attend this event with some of my favorite authors. I know there is so much more to learn about the craft of writing romance and if getting away from that box is possible…