Three Largest Africa-American Book Sites Join Force to Promote Black Literature

January 7, 2008
For Immediate Release

MEDIA INQUIRIES
Troy Johnson, AALBC.com, (866) 603-8394
Gwen Richardson, Cushcity.com, (281) 444-4265
Ron Kavanaugh, MosaicBooks.com, (718) 530.9132

THREE LARGEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN BOOK SITES JOIN FORCES TO PROMOTE BLACK LITERATURE

HOUSTON, TX – AALBC.com, Cushcity.com and MosaicBooks.com, the three largest and most established web sites focusing on African-American literature, announced today that they have joined forces to offer comprehensive online book promotion options to self-published authors and small publishing firms.

Together, the three web sites have over 30 years of combined online presence and over 4 million page views per month. Each site brings different strengths to the venture.

AALBC.com, founded by Troy Johnson of Harlem, N.Y. in 1998, is n ow the largest website dedicated to promoting books by and about African Americans.

Cushcity.com, co-founded by Willie and Gwen Richardson of Houston, Tex. in 1998, is the world’s largest African-American Internet retailer with over 20,000 products online, including books, DVDs, Greek products, calendars and art.

MosaicBooks.com, founded by Ron Kavanaugh of the Bronx, NY, in 1996, was the first site created to showcase African-American literature. It recently celebrated its 10th anniversary online.

“This effort brings unprecedented exposure to millions of African-American book readers worldwide,” says Johnson. “I am pleased to work with Cushcity and MosaicBooks to bring African-American authors and consumers together.”

The three sites will initially offer self-published authors and small presses simultaneous, prominent placement on each of the three sites’ home pages. There are also plans to expand these coordinated services in the future to include e-blasts and other marketing opportunities for authors.

The announcement comes on the heels of recent news reports highlighting the growth in the number of African-American titles published annually and the resultant increase in book sales revenue. Based upon book sales figures for 2006 released by the American Association of Publishers, African Americans spend about $1 billion of the estimated $24 billion spent in the U.S. annually on books.

• Publishers, for more information regarding the joint online marketing effort contact Ron Kavanaugh, ron@mosaicbooks.com, (718) 530-9132

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My Interview with Snoop of HBO's The Wire

Felicia "Snoop" Pearson and AALBC.com founder Troy Johnson
video taped interview (8 minutes)

The first time I saw Snoop was on HBO's The Wire. I recall watching the scene with her buying a nail gun (fans of The Wire will know what I'm talking about). I also recall thinking just how consistently brilliant HBO is with casting. I replayed that scene twice just taken by the character.

I said to myself, "where did HBO get a little boy that can act like that... and who dreamt up that character?" It was much later that I learned the character was actually a woman.

I also learned HBO's tactic is to cast "real" people in some roles; and Snoop is as real as they come. In fact, Snoop's realness is her most compelling characteristic. Pearson is incredibly comfortable with herself, completely unpretentious, and gracious.

Snoop is also a trip -- very funny; though I did not bring this side of her out in the interview.

I like Snoop.

Snoop has recently published a memoir called; Grace After Midnight. While only 27, the memoir is not untimely, as Snoop has been through and experienced quite a bit in a short period of time. Snoop while 14 shot and killed another teenage girl and spent 6 years in prison...

I wrote a brief review of her book for my web site and Harlem World Magazine http://reviews.aalbc.com/grace_after_midnight.htm my review focused on the "Grace".

In almost stark contrast one of my regular reviewers, Kam Williams, wrote a very different type of review http://aalbc.com/reviews/grace_after_midnight1.htm. Kam's review highlighted the the "Midnight".

Kam asks the question: "What is it about the Baltimore prisons that has it turning murderers into movie stars?" An interesting, if not provocative question.

It also make one consider how much of our celebrity is founded on criminality in some form or fashion.

Snoop is now taking her experiences, new found celebrity and is trying to make a positive impact on others. Audiences have been moved to tears by her stories and her struggles. They find inspiration and are moved by her strength.

As I have been.

African-American Pavilion at Book Expo America 2007

BookExpo America's Conference/Educational Programs run from May 31 - June 3, 2007 at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in New York, City Visit: http://events.aalbc.com/bookexpo_america_2007.htm

BookExpo America (BEA) combines the largest selection of English language titles on the planet with special industry and author events and unparalleled educational content to create a dynamic environment for networking, sourcing and relationship building. There will be a ton of events at this year's Book Expo America (BEA) in New York City. My favorite aspect, of course, is the African-American Pavilion:

African-American Pavilion

“The African American pavilion (AAP) stands for more than just a united face of publishers, but the voice and power of black book publishing. This is a special showcase of books and magazines by black publishers or black interest titles, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s, self-help and magazines.”

This will be largest AAP since it’s inception four years ago (The African American Pavilion was founded in 2004 By: Tony Rose - CEO, Amber Communications Group, Inc; Adrienne Ingrum; and Niani Colom - Associate Publisher, Genesis Press). This will be AALBC.com’s second consecutive year exhibiting in the AAP.

I will be giving a class with Natalie Stokes – Black Classic Press and Pam Perry – Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc. called Success Strategies for the African American Book Market more information: http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2007/1.cfm

I will also be presenting a seminar called How to Promote and Market your Books On-line with Ron Kavanaugh - MosaicBooks.com and James Lisbon - AMAG Online Magazine.

There will be plenty of opportunities to network, make business deals, get a ton of books and learn more about the publishing industry. There will also be plenty of time to party too!

AALBC.com is hosting with Mosaicbooks and harlemworld magazine the 2nd “Black Pack” Party (read about the first one here: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HST/is_3_3/ai_75121822). AALBC.com is also working with Relentless Aaron, Violator Records, G-Unit & St. Martin's Press on a party at the Shadow night club. I understand Clara Villarosa and Faye Childs will be hosting events as well.

Visit http://events.aalbc.com/bookexpo_america_2007.htm for more detail -- I’ll be making frequent updates.

Peace,
Troy

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Press contact: African-American Pavilion

Tony Rose, Publisher/CEO
Amber Communications Group, Inc.
amberbk@aol.com

Adrienne Ingrum,
Adrienne Ingrum, LLC
aingrum@aol.com