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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...
Share Info from Indie Black Owned Websites
Share Info from Indie Black Owned Websites Troy Johnson Article Add Huria Search Resources to Your Website or Blog Huria Search was created in reaction to the current trend in search results that f...
5 Ways to Support Independent Black Voices
5 Ways to Support Independent Black Voices Troy Johnson Article The Digital Divide, or the disparity between internet adoption rates between various groups, has been a topic of conversation since the...
Death of the Black Owned, Independent, Bookstore
Death of the Black Owned, Independent, Bookstore Troy Johnson Article Editor's Note: We published an update of our bookstores in March of 2014. One of the very first things I put on AA...
Are Reading Rates Declining in the African American Community?
Are Reading Rates Declining in the African American Community? Troy Johnson Article Frequent AALBC.com visitors may already know I consider search results biased toward large corporate sites t...
Only 54 Black Owned Bookstores Remain in America
Only 54 Black Owned Bookstores Remain in America Troy Johnson Article This is a follow up to an article, “Death of the Black Owned, Independent, Book...
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...
The Moors in Europe
The Moors in Europe Runoko Rashidi Article THE GLOBAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY HISTORY NOTES: THE MOORS IN EUROPE BY RUNOKO RASHIDI It would not be inaccurate to say that the Moors helped reintrodu...
AALBC.com Clients Make the NY Times Best Sellers List!
AALBC.com Clients Make the NY Times Best Sellers List! Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="250"] #13 NY Times Best Seller, Hardcover Fiction May 20, 2012[/caption] I start...
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...
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...
Black Americans in Publishing
Black Americans in Publishing Troy Johnson Article This orgaization is no longer active. Information provided here is for archival purposes. Black Americans in Publishing, Inc P.O. Box 6275 FDR S...
There is a Lack of Unity Among Black Websites
There is a Lack of Unity Among Black Websites Troy Johnson Article Over the last year, I’ve invested a lot of effort informing the public about the adverse impact of the corporate take over of the we...
Black Orchid Lit. Agency
Black Orchid Lit. Agency Troy Johnson Article Black Orchid Literary Agency http://www.flashtech.net/bola/ 820 Lamar Street Cleveland, TX 77327 William E. Wright, President &...
Getting in Dialogue
Getting in Dialogue Troy Johnson Article INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS Interested in being interviewed or having your project considered for DIALOGUE? Mail your biographical sketch and a detailed de...
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...
Bklyn Festival Showcases Emerging Authors
Bklyn Festival Showcases Emerging Authors Troy Johnson Article Brooklyn Festival Showcases Emerging Authors by Leah Mullen Perhaps the most overlooked and under acknowledged heroines and heroes...
Kujichagulia Press
Kujichagulia Press Troy Johnson Article Kujichagulia Press is an independent African-American publishing house that was founded in 1994 by Erriel Kofi Addae (Erriel D. Roberson) and his wife, El...
Huria Search - Search the Global Black Community
Huria Search - Search the Global Black Community Troy Johnson Article Editors Note: As of March 2016, after a 5 year run, Huria Search's run as a standalone site has ended. The Search engine and the...
Spotlight on the 14th National Black Writers Conference: March 22 – March 25, 2018
Spotlight on the 14th National Black Writers Conference: March 22 – March 25, 2018 Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com is Hosting an Independent Publishing Workshop How to Publish Your Book Independently...
THE BLACK SCHOLAR: Journal of Black Studies and Research
THE BLACK SCHOLAR: Journal of Black Studies and Research Troy Johnson Article Volume 1 Number 1 November 1969 Mission Statement From the Inaugural Issue: THE BLACK SCHOLAR has been born out of th...
We Must Patronize Black-Owned Websites or Lose Them
We Must Patronize Black-Owned Websites or Lose Them Troy Johnson Article Part of AALBC.com’s mission is to help support Black-owned websites. Historically, I've focused on sites related to books i...
17th Annual Celeb.of Black Writing
17th Annual Celeb.of Black Writing Troy Johnson Article PHOTOS and a report of this event coming soon! The 17th Annual Celebration of Black Writing February 16 to 18, 2001 Philadelphia For...
Their Eyes Were Reading Smut
Their Eyes Were Reading Smut Nick Chiles Article Last month I happened to go into the Borders Books store at the Stonecrest mall in Lithonia, Ga., about a half-hour from my house here. To my surprise...
Black-Owned Bookstores Directory
The most comprehensive global directory of Black-owned physical and online bookstores. Find local independent Black booksellers.
Google Should Pay for Content We Produce Which They Use to Generate Revenue
Google Should Pay for Content We Produce Which They Use to Generate Revenue Troy Johnson Article When you ask Google Home’s Smart Assistant to “Name some African American websites,” Google pulls the...
Black Books Galore! AALBC.com's November 2016 eNewsletter
Black Books Galore! AALBC.com's November 2016 eNewsletter Troy Johnson Article Picador USA – Our eNewsletter Sponsor for November Read one of the year’s most highly lauded – and highly provocative...
100 Bestselling Black Authors Leaderboard
The 100 all-time and yearly bestselling Black authors leaderboard based on total weeks on national and independent bestseller lists.
Black Book Videos & Author Channels
AALBC’s independent video channel: 600+ deep-dive author interviews, poetry sessions, book festival panels, and literary craft discussions celebrating Black literature.
Greene Response to “Their Eyes Were Reading Smut”
Greene Response to “Their Eyes Were Reading Smut” Brenda M. Greene Article Brenda M. Greene, Ph.D.,Professor of English Medgar Evers College, CUNY The Op-Ed Page 229 We...
F.Y.O.S.
F.Y.O.S. Troy Johnson Article Founders independent publishing company, FYOS Entertainment, LLC Tonya Marie is a Dean's List graduate of Northwestern University (N...
South End Press
South End Press Troy Johnson Article http://southendpress.org/ South End Press is an independent, nonprofit, collectively-run book publisher with more than 250 titles in ...
Neshee Publication
Neshee Publication Troy Johnson Article http://nesheepublication.com Neshee Publication� was founded in January, 2001 by Aalim & Heather Elitou, a husband and wife team also known as...
History of our Annual Black Pack Party
History of our Annual Black Pack Party Troy Johnson Article The Black Pack Party is a gathering of professionals across the Black book ecosystem. It was originally held annually during Book Expo Amer...
2016 National Black Writers Conference
2016 National Black Writers Conference Troy Johnson Article Update: March 25, 2016 The Conference's Complete and final Schedule of Events is Now Available. Greetings Colleagues, We are excited a...
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...
Spike’s New Film is Bad, Kickstarter Funding is Worse
Spike’s New Film is Bad, Kickstarter Funding is Worse Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com’s movie critic, Kam Williams, is my friend. He is one of the most easy going guys I know. He has reviewed thousa...
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...
AA Book Stores
AA Book Stores Troy Johnson Article Click Here for New Black Owned, Independent Bookstore Database
Critical Book Reviews & Author Interviews
Read thousands of in-depth book reviews, critical literary commentary, and film reviews covering major and independent Black writers.
2012 Black Pack Party Photographs
2012 Black Pack Party Photographs Troy Johnson Article (HARLEM - June 12, 2012) - Londel's Restaurant served as the venue for the 6th Black Pack Party held June 6th, 2012. The Black Pack Party, held...
Black Belt Press
Black Belt Press Troy Johnson Article The Black Belt, defined by its dark, rich soil, stretches across central Alabama. It was the heart of the cotton belt. It was and is a place of great beauty,...
New Self-Publishing Literary Award to Promote Diverse Books in Libraries
New Self-Publishing Literary Award to Promote Diverse Books in Libraries Troy Johnson Article BCALA; SELF-e partner for new self-publishing literary award to promote diverse books in libraries The B...
July 25, 2017 Newsletter - Includes the Most Critically Acclaimed Books of the Last 40 Years
July 25, 2017 Newsletter - Includes the Most Critically Acclaimed Books of the Last 40 Years Troy Johnson Article May – June 2017 Bestselling Books Children’s books outsold all genres for the...
Top 50 Authors, Bestselling Books, and More
Top 50 Authors, Bestselling Books, and More Troy Johnson Article 50 Favorite African-American Authors of the 20th Century 1,826 readers cast votes, back in 2001, for their favorite African-Ameri...
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...
Exercise Your Mind With a Good Book – July 29, 2014 eNewsletter
Exercise Your Mind With a Good Book – July 29, 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 eb...
Dr. John Henrik Clarke - A Great and Mighty Walk - Watch This Film!
Dr. John Henrik Clarke - A Great and Mighty Walk - Watch This Film! Troy Johnson Article "...the first light of human consciousness and the world's first civilizations were in Africa."-Dr. John Henr...
AALBC.com to Offer Self Published and Small Press Books Direct to Consumers at Competitive Discounts
AALBC.com to Offer Self Published and Small Press Books Direct to Consumers at Competitive Discounts Troy Johnson Article The African American Literature Book Club (AALBC.com) to Offer Self Published...
8 Ways Bookstores Can Engage the eReading Community
8 Ways Bookstores Can Engage the eReading Community Shawneda Marks Article Here are 8 ways brick and mortar stores can welcome indie and eBook authors. Introduce readers to indie authors...
Clinton as Vice President Would be a Disaster for Obama
Clinton as Vice President Would be a Disaster for Obama Gwen Richardson Article As Senator Barack Obama wrapped up the Democratic nomination on Tuesday, Senator Hillary Clinton and h...
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...
Blockson Literary Collective
Blockson Literary Collective Troy Johnson Article Charles L. Blockson The Charles L. Blockson Literary Collective is dedicated to sponsoring programs and initiates designed to promote ...
Gentle Pen Editorial Services
Gentle Pen Editorial Services Troy Johnson Article http://www.gentlepen.com Behind Every Good Writer is a Great Editor! A good story is crafted with solid writing. A great book is well edit...
Publishing Consultant
Publishing Consultant Troy Johnson Article Under construction.... Earl Cox started his career in publishing nearly eighteen years ago as a shipping and receiving clerk at the Baruch College Books...
“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, ...
Kimani Press
Kimani Press Troy Johnson Article This Summer Sizzles With the Launch Of Kimani Romance�! Bestselling Authors Pen Sophisticated and Sexy Novels for the World's Only African-American Roman...
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...
Blacktrospective 2012 - Annual Assessment of the Best in Black Film
Blacktrospective 2012 - Annual Assessment of the Best in Black Film Troy Johnson Article Each year we publish our annual list of the best in Black cinema. This list is unique in that it assesses...
The 2017 Black Pack Party @ Clyde Frazier’s May 31, 2017
The 2017 Black Pack Party @ Clyde Frazier’s May 31, 2017 Troy Johnson Article 11th Annual Black Pack Party We are hosting the 11th Annual Black Pack Party on the evening of Wednesday, May 31st. It w...
Parker Publishing
Parker Publishing Troy Johnson Article Parker Publishing was established by seasoned industry professionals, and targets the ever-expansive market of books by and about African-Americans. ...
Why Black Owned Websites Fail
Why Black Owned Websites Fail Troy Johnson Article A few days ago a friend came across an article in, WhereItzAt Magazine. In the magazine was an article, “In defense of Black Bookstores,” addressed ...
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...
Farrakhan to Black Youth: Study Ferguson, MO and Gaza
Farrakhan to Black Youth: Study Ferguson, MO and Gaza Leroy Baylor Article The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan Photo: Michael Muhammad The military readiness of police in Fer...
HBF Publishers
HBF Publishers Troy Johnson Article About HBF Publishers http://www.hbfpublishers.comHBF Publishers is a publishing house dedicated to providing a unique and simple ...
"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 ©...
Earl Cox
Earl Cox Troy Johnson Article Earl Cox is a publishing industry veteran of nearly two decades. As President and Chief Executive of Earl Cox & Associates Worldwide and Writersandpoets.co...
Hilton Publishing
Hilton Publishing Troy Johnson Article http://www.hiltonpub.com The Hilton Publishing Company has been established to promote the successful and profitable publication of two kinds of manuscri...
Ms. Frosty Publishing
Ms. Frosty Publishing Troy Johnson Article Dreams Becomes Reality Scott Haskins, President Ms. Frosty Publishing Co. 50 Pacton Place Baltimore, MD 21244 410-944-7...
Black Writers Dominate the 2017 Pulitzer Prizes
Black Writers Dominate the 2017 Pulitzer Prizes Troy Johnson Article Back in January of this year, I took the time to try to figure out how many Black writers have won Pulitzer Prizes in the six ...
Tavis Smiley is no good for Black folks!
Tavis Smiley is no good for Black folks! Troy Johnson Article Actually, I believe the exact opposite, strongly. I used the provocative title to draw attention to this blog post. My hope is that y...
BARTLETT’S FAMILIAR BLACK QUOTATIONS: Edited by Retha Powers
BARTLETT’S FAMILIAR BLACK QUOTATIONS: Edited by Retha Powers Troy Johnson Article Bartlett's Familiar Black Quotations: 5,000 Years of Literature, Lyrics, Poems, Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs...
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...
Two Years Ago - Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion
Two Years Ago - Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion Troy Johnson Article Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passionby Tanangachi Mfuni, Amsterdam News Sta...
The Black Arts Movement’s Attack on W.E.B. Du Bois’ Theory of Double Consciousness
The Black Arts Movement’s Attack on W.E.B. Du Bois’ Theory of Double Consciousness Tony Lindsay Article Tony Lindsay There have been two major Black literary movements in American history: The...
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 ...
Earl Cox & Associates
Earl Cox & Associates Troy Johnson Article EARL COX & ASSOCIATES WORLDWIDE Literary Management, Book Publishing Consultants New York Los Angeles Melb...
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...
Remembering Glenn Thompson
Remembering Glenn Thompson W. Paul Coates Article Born in Harlem and raised in Brooklyn, Glenn Thompson [September 24, 1940 – September 7, 2001] left the U. S. as a young man and traveled...
Skyelight Literature
Skyelight Literature Troy Johnson Article FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Skye Phillips Toll Free: 877‐335‐4874 Fax: 516 345 0652 info@skyelightbooks.com ...
For Black History Month: Research & Share Your Family History
For Black History Month: Research & Share Your Family History Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"] Troy Johnson's Maternal Father Rev. Freeman Foster his 2nd Wife Hazel ...
State of the Black Union 2009
State of the Black Union 2009 Kam Williams Article Tavis Assembles Black Luminaries in L.A. for 10th Annual Gathering State of the Black Union by Kam Williams The 10th Annual Sta...
State of the Black Union 2008
State of the Black Union 2008 Kam Williams Article Obama’s Conspicuous Absence Overshadows Annual Gathering State of the Black Union 2008 by Kam Williams Senator Barack Obama...
Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion
Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion Troy Johnson Article Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passionby TANANGACHI MFUNIAmsterdam News StaffSeptember 28 - O...
The 5th National Black Writers Conference Report from the Field 2
The 5th National Black Writers Conference Report from the Field 2 Kalamu ya Salaam Article Report from the Field National Black Writers Conference 2000 Part 2 of 3 “E...
New Hair-do is a “Natural”
New Hair-do is a “Natural” Connie Bradley Article This article originally appeared in the Chicago Today newspaper's Op-Ed page in the early 1970's I finally succumbed. If someone ha...
Richard Wright to Jay-Z: The Decline of Young Black Male Literary Writers
Richard Wright to Jay-Z: The Decline of Young Black Male Literary Writers K.L. Reeves Article Young Writers Need Models Young writers need models. Early in my apprenticeship my predecessors fed me ...
The Magic of Just Being
The Magic of Just Being Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich Article I love and celebrate Black Girl Magic and Black Excellence. I mean! Just look at us. We truly are extraordinary. But sometimes &hellip...
More Bios.
More Bios. Troy Johnson Article 360� A Revolution of Black Poets Produced in the tradition of the Black Poetry Festivals and Conferences of the Black Arts Movement, this first Nati...
Black Renaissance Noire
Black Renaissance Noire Troy Johnson Article Selected by Library Journal as one of the ten best magazines of 1996 Vol. 3 No. 1 Fall 2000 Manthia Diawara Editor-in-C...
Black Women Lead the Way Promoting Black Culture through Books
Black Women Lead the Way Promoting Black Culture through Books Troy Johnson Article “Where a woman rules, streams run uphill.” —Ethiopian proverb AALBC.com’s Bestselling Books - January to February ...
Western Journal of Black Studies
Western Journal of Black Studies Troy Johnson Article Since 1977, The Western Journal of Black Studies (WJBS) has been a leading interdisciplinary journal that is devoted to publi...
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. ...
A Tribute to AALBC.com's 10th Anniversary
A Tribute to AALBC.com's 10th Anniversary Troy Johnson Article Presented ToTROY JOHNSONIn Appreciation For YourDedication, Professionalism,Guidance, And IntegrityIn the Publishing IndustryThanks You ...
Meroen Press
Meroen Press Troy Johnson Article Meroen Press http://www.meroen.com/ The Meroen Press is a small publishing company owned and operated by William and Tameka Hobbs. Meroen Press i...
Terry McMillan Speaks out on the ill of the publishing industry
Terry McMillan Speaks out on the ill of the publishing industry Troy Johnson Article The following link points to a letter, written by Terry McMillan, on the ills of the publishing industry. The let...
Financial Advice During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Financial Advice During the Covid-19 Pandemic Lynnette Khalfani-Cox Article The COVID-19 outbreak is disproportionately impacting African-Americans, from a public health standpoint and from an econom...
Get a Jump Start on Black History Month with 100+ Terrific Books
Get a Jump Start on Black History Month with 100+ Terrific Books Troy Johnson Article 86 African-American History Books Every year I’m asked what are you gonna do for African American Hi...
The Ultimate Top 10 Books Lists, Great New Books, Black Classic Press Celebrates 40 Years, and More!
The Ultimate Top 10 Books Lists, Great New Books, Black Classic Press Celebrates 40 Years, and More! Troy Johnson Article Please join us as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Black Classic Press ...
The 2016 Black Pack Party & BookExpo America
The 2016 Black Pack Party & BookExpo America Troy Johnson Article 10th Anniversary Black Pack Party We are hosting the 10th Anniversary Black Pack Party on the evening of Wednesday, May 11th. It is ...