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Why are so many African American women authors self publishing?
This archived discussion is "read only".
» AgentSun - Re: Writing In response to message posted by vidae:i don't believe that it is a matter of an unrelatable industry. i think it is the matter of what audience an industry is trying to cater to. if i had a science fiction book i would find better success of getting it published if i were to go to a publisher that was known for it's science fiction titles, rather than a company that dealt in mostly historical books. how many companies are there that deal mostly with african-american writers? african-american women, as well as women of almost any ethnicity, have a harder time merging into the industry i think, because they sometimes write about things that are not that accepted. the idea that a man can write a relationship book is often preposterous, just like the idea of a woman writing about a relationship book not based on romance or frilly pink bows and the cliched "how to plan you your perfect wedding" type books is looked at as preposterous. -- posted by AgentSun » Blackatheist - Re: Re: Writing I am of the mind that many Black women self-publish because it's EASIER! A lot of first time novels are rejected hands-down by agents/publishers/etc. Instead of waiting to be discovered and accepted by 'mainstream', we're creating our own 'mainstream'. Most self-published writers go on to sign with reputable agents/publishers - but if you want your work out there, and you're not content to take NO for an answer, SELF-PUBLISHING is the way to go!-- posted by Blackatheist » Aegean - RE: Writing The African-American Female Writing industry is so saturated with 'relationship' books because they have sold over the recent years. Think Terry McMillan and Mary Monroe. Personally, after buying A Day Late and A Dollar Short and finding that it was yet another story of a dysfunctional family, I realized how tired I was seeing my race pictured as troublemakers and followers. I was fortunate enough to run into authors not long later whose works offered me an alternative to the 'hip-hop' cookie cutter plots, like Steven Barnes and Tannarive Due, Octavia Barnes, John M. Faucette, and W. E. B. DuBois. When you look at the Science Fiction genre, we are seriously underrepresented both in the authoring field as well as in characterization, and for the most part in the latter, those characters are once again followers or villains.The world needs to know that just as we were in the past and the present, we WILL be in the future. We will be among the travelers, the adventurers, the healers, and inhabitants of other, unexplored worlds. Let's expand our focus, not just dwell on the pain of Yesterday or the struggle of Today. African-American women--and men--will be in Tomorrow, too! Self publishing was a necessity because more established publishing houses were cautious about putting anything out that was not a sure sale, which also narrowed the market down and pushed more innovative thought out. -- posted by Aegean » Purpose - RE: Writing For me, I think it is revolution. The traditonal process is dormant and like many other things, political.African American women are moving into being in control of their own destiny. When you send dozens of query letters and synopses, you wonder how can they determine the quality of my book. After attempting to get picked my an agent, it was time to move on. We already know from many successful African American men that if it catches the right eye, they will come. Why not, in the meantime, generate a buz and profit? We have a story to tell and we know our market, our audience, and age bracket of buyers. So those agents who we are trying engage to be our agent, 9 times out 10 aren't one of the ones who we are targeting in our market. Peace, -- posted by Purpose » vidae - Re: RE: Writing In response to RE: Writing posted by Aegean:Thanks. I agree. All the books I studied in AA Literature were about women suffering and struggling over men. It was tiring. Recently I have uncovered some jewels and science fiction is one of them. We need to get out the box. -- posted by vidae » paulachy - The Revolution Will Be Read Wow, finding this site was like getting a long drink of water after walking in the desert. I've felt alone out there but am glad to have found a forum. My thoughts on self-publishing - I agree with a lot of what has been said. But I especially like the revolution angle.The publishing industry, overall, is like most others: mostly white, mostly old, mostly men. I've had two agents read my work and the only advice they ever give is that I should look at Meg Cabots work. I'm not just a woman author but one who writes for the teen market. I don't want to write like Meg Cabot because my daughter and her friends may like her work but it's not about THEM. It also doesn't reflect the multi-cultural depth of their circle of friends! Amen, self-publishing is the way. I plan to self-publish my first YA fiction book this year! Thanks for the insight and the validation! -- posted by paulachy » vidae - Re: The Revolution Will Be Read In response to The Revolution Will Be Read posted by paulachy:Thanks for checking the Suite, pass our channel on to others. We want to help AAWomen get out there. Dee -- posted by vidae
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