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It’s Been Fun, Kids! C. Kelly Robinson Retires
It’s Been Fun, Kids! C. Kelly Robinson Retires C. Kelly Robinson Article Family, friends, and loyal readers, This week’s passing of acclaimed author and journalist BeBe Moore Campbell mov...
A Tale of Two Countries
A Tale of Two Countries Anthony Browder Article This is a tale of two countries and their treatment of two African American men named Michael Brown. This is also a tale about the best of times ...
Gloria Naylor Discusses Her Novel The Men of Brewster Place on Barnesandnoble.com
Gloria Naylor Discusses Her Novel The Men of Brewster Place on Barnesandnoble.com Gloria Naylor Article Moderator: Welcome, Gloria Naylor! Thank you for taking the time to join us online this evening...
Serious Problems With Facebook Promotion
Serious Problems With Facebook Promotion Troy Johnson Article Writers, if you are using Facebook to promote your work—especially paid promotion— invest 30 minutes of your time to watch these two vide...
Jennifer Lopez on Playing Puchi and Producing Her First Picture
Jennifer Lopez on Playing Puchi and Producing Her First Picture Kam Williams Article Born in the South Bronx on July 24, 1969, Jennifer Lynn Lopez “J-Lo” has come a long way f...
How do I get my book featured on AALBC.com (for free)?
How do I get my book featured on AALBC.com (for free)? Troy Johnson Article “How do I get my book featured on AALBC.com?” is a question often posed to me by authors, publishers and publicists. Of...
Three Largest Africa-American Book Sites Join Force to Promote Black Literature
Three Largest Africa-American Book Sites Join Force to Promote Black Literature Troy Johnson Article January 7, 2008For Immediate Release MEDIA INQUIRIESTroy Johnson, AALBC.com, (866) 603-8394Gwen Ri...
Can Black People Go 5 Minutes Without Music?
Can Black People Go 5 Minutes Without Music? Troy Johnson Article ...or rather why do we have to blast the music during every gathering? Having been back in Harlem now for about 4 years -- after bein...
AALBC.com Partners with What's The 411 TV
AALBC.com Partners with What's The 411 TV Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com has partnered with What’s The 411 TV to bring information about Black books, authors, events, and news to both What’s The 411T...
Who Was Frank Yerby?
Who Was Frank Yerby? Eugene Stovall Article Frank Garvin Yerby (September 5, 1916 — November 29, 1991) Frank Yerby was an African American writer who gave the world a body of ...
Our 10 Most Popular Discussions (and Why Discussion Forums Matter)
Our 10 Most Popular Discussions (and Why Discussion Forums Matter) Troy Johnson Article Our discussion forums have been running for more than 17 years. According to Google's Analytics, these are the...
Marketing Your Book – Eight Unique Ways to Promote Your Book
Marketing Your Book – Eight Unique Ways to Promote Your Book Desiree Day Article Marketing Your Book - Eight Unique Ways to Promote Your Book by Desiree Day Whether you have just completed yo...
Book-Remarks.com
Book-Remarks.com Troy Johnson Article The goal of Book-Remarks.com is to offer exciting, timely, positive, and useful information to the African-American reading community. Book-Remarks...
Book Club Kit: The Thing About Home
Book Club Kit: The Thing About Home Rhonda McKnight Article Download the Book Club Kit Dear Reader, I am delighted you choose The Thing About Home for your book discussion. In the story you&rsq...
Take Your Pleasure Where You Find It<em> (2nd review)</em>
Take Your Pleasure Where You Find It (2nd review) Thumper Article I am usually excited when I get to read a new J. D. Mason novel. Over the years, she has become one of my favorite authors. When I ...
My Favorite Readings from the 2013 National Book Award Finalists
My Favorite Readings from the 2013 National Book Award Finalists Troy Johnson Article I covered this year's National Book Foundation's National Book Awards Finalists Reading for AALBC.com. The readin...
Myths about Single Mothers
Myths about Single Mothers Joy Thomas Moore Article ❖ Majority of single mothers are irresponsible, single from the outset and minority. REALITY: Around half of single mothers have never ...
Disilgold Publishing
Disilgold Publishing Troy Johnson Article DISILGOLD PUBLISHING Heather Covington is the founder of Disilgold: A Bronx Publishing Company Making Waves. She's looking forward to publishin...
Pros and Cons of Mainstream and Self-Publishing
Pros and Cons of Mainstream and Self-Publishing C. Liegh McInnis Article There are two basic routes to getting published, mainstream and self-publishing. Mainstream is when one submits one&rsqu...
Book Club Picks - $10 Classics from HarperCollins - Plus More in AALBC’s eNewsletter
Book Club Picks - $10 Classics from HarperCollins - Plus More in AALBC’s eNewsletter Troy Johnson Article Books a Few Book Clubs are Enjoying this Month The Tea’s October Selection – We Shou...
Enrich Your Life; Read a Good Book – August 2014 eNewsletter
Enrich Your Life; Read a Good Book – August 2014 eNewsletter Troy Johnson Article You may receive this eNewsletter directly in your email-box by subscribing. It may also be read on your Kindle ebook ...
My Sacred Texts
My Sacred Texts Troy Johnson Article My Sacred Texts by Leah Mullen I was skimming the shelves at the LIBRARY when I saw a book that almost made me drop the one I was holding. The spi...
The Willie Lynch Letter is a Hoax!
The Willie Lynch Letter is a Hoax! Troy Johnson Article As a book seller, my primary goal is to connect readers with books that they will enjoy and learn from. Having a reader thank me for introduci...
“Would You Stop Buying Books from Amazon.com to Save the Black Book Industry?”
“Would You Stop Buying Books from Amazon.com to Save the Black Book Industry?” Troy Johnson Article Exploring The Feasibility Boycotting Amazon’s Bookstore In the following video, Ruth J. Morrison, ...
Her Praise: Profile of Camille Yarbrough, a Renaissance Woman
Her Praise: Profile of Camille Yarbrough, a Renaissance Woman DuEwa M. Frazier Article With a career in the performing arts that has spanned a lifetime the acclaimed singer, actress, poet, act...
"Troy's Triangle" for Publishing Success
"Troy's Triangle" for Publishing Success Troy Johnson Article [caption id="attachment_973" align="aligncenter" width="581" caption=""Troy's Triangle" for Publishing Success Copyright ©...
How to Share Your Book Information with AALBC
How to Share Your Book Information with AALBC Troy Johnson Article Below is the information you need to provide AALBC to have your book considered for inclusion in AALBC’s online bookstore. Ple...
Video Coverage of the 2018 National Book Club Conference
Video Coverage of the 2018 National Book Club Conference Troy Johnson Article I attended the 2018 National Book Club Conference August 3rd and 4th. I have not attended since the 2010. The confer...
Susan Taylor Baker King’s Memoir
Susan Taylor Baker King’s Memoir Susie King Taylor Article An Excerpt from Susan Taylor Baker King’s Memoir:Reminiscences of My Life in Camp with the 33rd US Colored Troops, Late 1st S.C. Vol...
4th Annual AA Children's Book Fair
4th Annual AA Children's Book Fair Troy Johnson Article Toni Trent Parker, member of Black Americans in Publishing, will produce her fourth annual African American Children's Book Fair on Saturda...
Why I Wrote One Blood
Why I Wrote One Blood Denene Millner Article I discovered my adoption certificate at age twelve, while snooping in my parents’ private papers. They’d kept it a secret because doing so mad...
New Reviews by one of AALBC.com's Favorite Reviewers - Thumper
New Reviews by one of AALBC.com's Favorite Reviewers - Thumper Troy Johnson Article Thumper went on hiatus for a couple of years, to complete another graduate degree. He is working his way back slowl...
September eNewsletter: Bestselling Books, 118 Book Events, and More
September eNewsletter: Bestselling Books, 118 Book Events, and More Troy Johnson Article July/August 2016 Bestselling Books Titles on Go On Girl! Book Club's reading list are prominent on our best...
A Special Note for Authors, Publishers, and Book Promoters
A Special Note for Authors, Publishers, and Book Promoters Troy Johnson Article “There are some online services that specialize in books for blacks…The most successful is the African American Literat...
50 Best Places to Meet Other Book Lovers Online
50 Best Places to Meet Other Book Lovers Online Anna Miller Article Editor’s Note: This article was updated in April 2017 to show sites that are no longer active or have completely shut d...
36 African-American Nominees for National Book Awards
36 African-American Nominees for National Book Awards Troy Johnson Article November 11, 2015 Update: A complete list of National Book Award Honorees, of African descent, is now available. The mi...
National Book Awards Honors IBPA Members’ Impact
National Book Awards Honors IBPA Members’ Impact Troy Johnson Article This article was originally published in the April 2025 issue of the IBPA Independent magazine, the magazine for members of the I...
Adibooks - Book Printer
Adibooks - Book Printer Troy Johnson Article Visit them at http://adibooks.com The latest book printing technology from world-wide industry leaders is employed by Adibooks. A...
Vote for the Best Book Trailer of 2010!
Vote for the Best Book Trailer of 2010! Troy Johnson Article There are only 2 days left to cast your vote for the finalists of the Best Book trailer of 2010. Cast you vote now: https://bit.ly/best...
A Filmmaker You Should Know: Janks Morton
A Filmmaker You Should Know: Janks Morton Troy Johnson Article Janks Morton has been in the entertainment industry for more than 20 years and is a much sought-after teacher, lecturer, commentator...
President Obama: More Than Meets the Eyes
President Obama: More Than Meets the Eyes Vanessa Davis Griggs Article At the end of the day, can you look yourself in the mirror and be okay with the person who looks back at you? Can yo...
Aesop’s Fables (84 Fables)
Aesop’s Fables (84 Fables) Aesop Article This Text Is part of the PUBLIC DOMAIN BOOKS OF KNOWN HERITAGE Aesop: Fables, George Fyler Townsend translation, project Gutenberg The Cock and the Pearl...
AALBC.com's The “For Colored Girls” Interview with Thandie Newton
AALBC.com's The “For Colored Girls” Interview with Thandie Newton Troy Johnson Article Read the Interview with Thandie Newtown and also check out AALBC.com's interview with Janet Jackson, and a r...
Reflections on Black Book Reviews
Reflections on Black Book Reviews Troy Johnson Article For more than a decade I, through AALBC.com, have published hundred's of reviews of books written by or about Black people. Over the years thi...
August 2018 eNewsletter Recommended Reads, Videos, and More
August 2018 eNewsletter Recommended Reads, Videos, and More Troy Johnson Article Videos from the National Book Club Conference I attended the 2018 National Book Club Conference August 3rd and 4th....
A Fire in Harlem - Tribute to Sekou Sundiata at Up South International Book Festival
A Fire in Harlem - Tribute to Sekou Sundiata at Up South International Book Festival DuEwa M. Frazier Article Up South International Book Festival September 19th ’ September 23rd 2007 www...
What is the “Book Metadata Universe” and Why Does it Matter?
What is the “Book Metadata Universe” and Why Does it Matter? Troy Johnson Article The term “Book Metadata Universe” typically refers to the vast and interconnected ecosystem of metadata r...
2015 Year End Thank You!
2015 Year End Thank You! Troy Johnson Article Coming in the New Year The biggest news for the new year is our website upgrade. We are redesigning AALBC.com from scratch, and we have the benefit of 1...
AALBC Online Book Club’s Summer Reading List
AALBC Online Book Club’s Summer Reading List Troy Johnson Article AALBC’s Online Book Club’s Summer Reading List Participating in AALBC’s Online Book Club is easy. Discussions are held on the...
In Defense of Ashley Judd
In Defense of Ashley Judd Kevin Powell Article Ashley Judd is a very courageous woman. I am not referring to her work as a global ambassador for YouthAids, or her efforts to end poverty and sexual...
Essence Atkins: The “Are We There Yet?” Interview
Essence Atkins: The “Are We There Yet?” Interview Kam Williams Article Essence Atkins was born in New York City on February 7, 1972. Between her innate sense of comedy and girl-next-door ch...
The 2016 Black Pack Party: A Wonderful Celebration!
The 2016 Black Pack Party: A Wonderful Celebration! Troy Johnson Article The 10th Black Pack Party, like all the others, was a wonderful celebration. Hosted during Book Expo America each year, the B...
Jane Addams Book Award Winner Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jane Addams Book Award Winner Jewell Parker Rhodes Troy Johnson Article ABOUT JEWELL PARKER RHODES Jewell Parker Rhodes is the Piper Endowed Chair and founding artistic director of the Virginia G. P...
To Journey Home (a short story)
To Journey Home (a short story) Douglas E. McIntosh Article COPYRIGHT DOUGLAS E. MCINTOSH Akua screamed and drew her legs inward, while at the same time, flailing wi...
March 1, 2017 Newsletter — Book Award Announcements, New Books, and More
March 1, 2017 Newsletter — Book Award Announcements, New Books, and More Troy Johnson Article New Books Coming Out March 2017 Helene Cooper tells the amazing of story Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, leader o...
Hyena Women and Other Strange Tales of Social Chaos
Hyena Women and Other Strange Tales of Social Chaos L. E. Rainey Article Several years ago I watched a documentary about a pride of lions and a pack of hyenas living in the African savannah. By e...
List of Contributors to Step into a World
List of Contributors to Step into a World Kevin Powell Article The Following is the List of Contributors to This Amazing Volume Toyin Adewale is a native of Emure-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeri...
Musings on AALBC.com
Musings on AALBC.com Troy Johnson Article Blogs...and I'm averaging about one post a month. One thing I've learned is that blogs take time -- it you are short on time don't bother.It is not that I'm ...
What Was The Last Book You Read? The Celebrity Edition
What Was The Last Book You Read? The Celebrity Edition Troy Johnson Article Over the years we've published hundreds of interviews with celebrities. Each one is usually asked, what is now know as the...
Book Expo America 2000
Book Expo America 2000 Troy Johnson Article Book Expo America 2000 (BEA), held in Chicago May 31st to June 4th 2000 was a tremendous event. Anything you wanted to know about books and publishing...
“...what, he think he live in a white neighborhood or sumptin?!”
“...what, he think he live in a white neighborhood or sumptin?!” Troy Johnson Article I'll never understand, why people feel it is okay to litter. I can go outside, right now and watch an adult fini...
Nominee Shares Her Experience at the 2015 NAACP Image Awards Ceremony for Outstanding Literary Work
Nominee Shares Her Experience at the 2015 NAACP Image Awards Ceremony for Outstanding Literary Work Gwen Richardson Article African-American authors rarely receive national recognition for their work...
W. Paul Coates Literarian Award Acceptance Speech from the 2024 National Book Awards
W. Paul Coates Literarian Award Acceptance Speech from the 2024 National Book Awards W. Paul Coates Article Watch a Video of Walter Mosleys’s Introduction and Paul Coates Acceptance Speech. ...
Migrated Writers
Migrated Writers Troy Johnson Article Migrated Writers 17th Annual Celeb.of Black Writing A Report From The Field More Bios. The Sight of the 360 Event 4th Annual AA Children's Book Fair AA C...
Introducing An American Story
Introducing An American Story Kwame Alexander Article An American Story Written by Kwame Alexander, Art by Dare Coulter Kwame Alexander, the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning ...
AALBC.com Workshops for Writers
AALBC.com Workshops for Writers Troy Johnson Article Self-Publishing Workshop Saturday, December 6th 2008 - Harlem, New York Postponed until March 2009 Co-sponsored with ...
She is Global, an Artist, a Movement—Malaika Adero is “Global I Aam”
She is Global, an Artist, a Movement—Malaika Adero is “Global I Aam” Patrick A. Howell Article
Bern Nadette Stanis - Pens Book on Relationships
Bern Nadette Stanis - Pens Book on Relationships Troy Johnson Article For you children out there: Bern Nadette played Thelma Evans in Good Times a popular sitcom from the early 70's, which featured a...
April Bestselling Books, Win Barracoon, Top Erotica, Google is too Powerful, and More
April Bestselling Books, Win Barracoon, Top Erotica, Google is too Powerful, and More Troy Johnson Article Bestselling Books March/April 2018 Fiction: The Yearning by Mohale Mashigo was the best...
Introducing Delaney Diamond, USA Today Bestselling Author
Introducing Delaney Diamond, USA Today Bestselling Author Troy Johnson Article Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sweet, sensual, passionate romance novels and is the manager ...
An Author You Should Know: Lalita Tademy
An Author You Should Know: Lalita Tademy Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="559" caption="Lalita Tademy (Photo Credit © InMenlo LLC, 2010)"][/caption] Recently a visitor ...
Prince Among Slaves - Abdul Rahman Sori’s Story
Prince Among Slaves - Abdul Rahman Sori’s Story Troy Johnson Article With the recent popularity of the film 12 Years a Slave and focus on Solomon Northup’s the tragic story story, we tend to forget ...
Publishers Indemnity Insurance: What is it, and how do you get it?
Publishers Indemnity Insurance: What is it, and how do you get it? Troy Johnson Article "One of the key components necessary for self-published authors to get their book into Bla...
12 Axioms for Understanding the Book Business
12 Axioms for Understanding the Book Business Troy Johnson Article Based upon my experience; selling books (on-line and off); publishing book reviews; witnessing the careers of many authors for a dec...
July eNewsletter: Best Sellers, Reviews, a Contest, and Our Online Book Club is Coming Back!
July eNewsletter: Best Sellers, Reviews, a Contest, and Our Online Book Club is Coming Back! Troy Johnson Article “Spalding’s MFA in Writing alums don’t just win awards, they make a difference with...
Taking Over Wall Street with Books by Charisse Carney-Nunes
Taking Over Wall Street with Books by Charisse Carney-Nunes Charisse Carney-Nunes Article The Lit Bit Wall Street is in for another invasion… no, not just more protestors armed with ...
Sample Manuscript Critique #2 - AALBC.com Manscript Critique Service
Sample Manuscript Critique #2 - AALBC.com Manscript Critique Service Troy Johnson Article Sample Critique #2 Here is what an in depth examination of your manuscript or book will look like using A...
Visitor’s day at Camp Grant – Research & Share Your Family History (Part 3)
Visitor’s day at Camp Grant – Research & Share Your Family History (Part 3) Connie Bradley Article The author of the next installment of “Research & Share Your History” is my virtual ...
Opal's Jim Crow Blues - Research & Share Your Family History (Part 2)
Opal's Jim Crow Blues - Research & Share Your Family History (Part 2) Troy Johnson Article Today's blog post is by guest Cheryl Wills. Cheryl, a television news anchor and reporter, has extensively ...
Advertising Online
Advertising Online Troy Johnson Article Advertising Online: Is this the Wave of the Future for Selling Black Books? by Leah Mullen Denise Turney got her start selling books over the intern...
Edwidge Danticat The “Create Dangerously” Interview with AALBC.com
Edwidge Danticat The “Create Dangerously” Interview with AALBC.com Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="596" caption="Edwidge Danticat - 2010 Nancy Crampton"][/caption] E...
Authors Don't Need Twitter
Authors Don't Need Twitter Troy Johnson Article Many authors invest a great deal of time managing their Twitter accounts. Hours a day are spent attracting new followers and keeping them engaged with...
NAACP Image Award Winner, Tony Rose pens, “America the Black Point of View”
NAACP Image Award Winner, Tony Rose pens, “America the Black Point of View” Troy Johnson Article An Autobiographical History Book by, NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literature, Tony Rose ...
Black Book Websites Need Love Too
Black Book Websites Need Love Too Troy Johnson Article Over the last decade there has been a great deal of lamenting over the closing of Black owned, independent brick and mortar book stores. Recent...
Book Cover Designer
Book Cover Designer Troy Johnson Article http://www.mariondesigns.com 225 Sunderland Way, Suite # U Stockbridge, Georgia 30281 678.641.8689 mariondesigns@bellsouth.net Marion Des...
How is African American Literature Really Doing?
How is African American Literature Really Doing? Troy Johnson Article For those in the business of Black books in America, this is a common question; “How is African American Literature Doing?” Some...
Harlem Book Fair 2013: Video, Photos & Awards
Harlem Book Fair 2013: Video, Photos & Awards Troy Johnson Article All Photos © 2013 AALBC.com, LLC - Feel free to use them but please provide a photo credit to Troy Johnson, AALBC.com and a link...
Samuel P. Golden’s 2026 Book Tour
Samuel P. Golden’s 2026 Book Tour Samuel P. Golden Article
Book Reviewing, African-American Style
Book Reviewing, African-American Style Wanda Coleman Article This article appeared in the September 16, 2002 edition of The Nation On April 14 [2002], my review of Maya Angelou’s A Song Flu...
Host a Listening Party for SHUT UP AND READ!
Host a Listening Party for SHUT UP AND READ! Jeannine A. Cook Article .image:hover { transform: translateY(-5px); box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(255, 126, 3, 0.4); } Host a Listening Pa...
Mary Monroe’s New Book, REMEMBRANCE, "A Cozy Holiday Read!"
Mary Monroe’s New Book, REMEMBRANCE, "A Cozy Holiday Read!" Troy Johnson Article It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Kensington’s got you covered when it comes to cozy holiday reads! In t...
February 28th 2013 - eNewsletter Highlights
February 28th 2013 - eNewsletter Highlights Troy Johnson Article Our monthly eNewsletter contains information about books and films by or about people of African descent. Authors You Should Know ...
Marcus Books of San Francisco Evicted—Should We Care?
Marcus Books of San Francisco Evicted—Should We Care? Troy Johnson Article Back in the the summer of 2013, I joined the fight to help save Marcus Books. My motivation was not solely limited to savin...
Quantum Leap Publisher
Quantum Leap Publisher Troy Johnson Article http://qleappub.com/ Quantum Leap Publisher produces a range of diverse books including photographic books. Since its founding in 1990, the c...
Need Inspiration to Write? Begin Within
Need Inspiration to Write? Begin Within Troy Johnson Article Need Inspiration to Write? Begin Within by Leah Mullen It was a beautifully cool late summer evening, and I was walking down M...
Anita Hemmings, the First Black Student to Attend Vassar College
Anita Hemmings, the First Black Student to Attend Vassar College Troy Johnson Article Karin Tanabe’s gripping new historical novel, The Gilded Years (Washington Square Press, June 7, 2016) is based o...
The ESSENCE Brand—Where Black Women Come First—NOT!
The ESSENCE Brand—Where Black Women Come First—NOT! Troy Johnson Article A few weeks ago, I visited Essence Magazine’s website to learn which Black owned bookstore they were going to use as the books...
Iyanla's Vanzant's Book Now a #1 New York Times Best Seller
Iyanla's Vanzant's Book Now a #1 New York Times Best Seller Troy Johnson Article In 1998, Iyanla Vanzant was AALBC.com's first #1 best selling author. Vanzant had three titles on our 1998 Best Selle...
Introducing Bestselling Author Nina Foxx
Introducing Bestselling Author Nina Foxx Troy Johnson Article Editor’s Note: (Foxx received a nomination for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work)! Nina Foxx is an award-winn...
The Cartel series is back...and more deadly than ever.
The Cartel series is back...and more deadly than ever. Troy Johnson Article Ashley & JaQuavis are New York Times bestselling authors of over 30 novels. They are the youngest Black writers to ...