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It’s All About Love: Romance Readers Speak Out
It’s All About Love: Romance Readers Speak Out Gwendolyn Osborne Article Many Americans hold preconceived notions about romance fiction without having read one of these books. Their knowledg...
Genesis Press Inc.
Genesis Press Inc. Troy Johnson Article Genesis Press Inc. is the home of Indigo Romance, the nation's leading line of African-American romance novels. Genesis is a pioneer in publishing dive...
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 ...
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...
Random Thoughts on Technology & Culture
Random Thoughts on Technology & Culture Troy Johnson Article Use of the N-Word in Rap “Music” — Enough Already! Why does my cell phone battery become incapable of holding a charge, for a full da...
Troy still has a few tricks
Troy still has a few tricks Troy Johnson Article Last year I started working out again. As I lost weight and got a little stronger, I started doing some of my old gymnastics moves in the gym during m...
AALBC.com has changed a lot over the last 13 years.
AALBC.com has changed a lot over the last 13 years. Troy Johnson Article Sometimes I'm amazed at how an experiment started 13 years ago turned into my livelihood today. While AALBC.co...
“...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...
Racist Hate Mail
Racist Hate Mail Troy Johnson Article I was listening to the radio (1010 AM, WINS, New York) this week and heard a report of some Jewish people in Roslyn, LI who received some Jewish hate mail.Appare...
BET's Hot Ghetto Mess or Stop supporting the negative literature
BET's Hot Ghetto Mess or Stop supporting the negative literature Troy Johnson Article A prominent individual in Black publishing recently suggested that “I choose a side”. Basically I need to stop su...
Crichton & Associates
Crichton & Associates Troy Johnson Article Crichton & Associates, Inc. represents writers of fiction and non-fiction works, including materials with African, African-American, Caribbean and...
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...
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...
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...
Author Martha Southgate Reflects on the State of African American Fiction
Author Martha Southgate Reflects on the State of African American Fiction Troy Johnson Article This article was brought to my attention by author Eisa Ulen (www.EisaUlen.com/blog).Author Martha South...
Ivan Van Sertima: My Historical Guide and Mentor
Ivan Van Sertima: My Historical Guide and Mentor Joel A. Freeman Article My interest in Black history was launched in earnest about 42+ years ago in 1980 when some Black pro athletes asked me questio...
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...
Gift of Revelation’s Author Explains his Penchant for Spirituality and how he Overcame Challenges to Produce a Popular Line of Religious Fiction
Gift of Revelation’s Author Explains his Penchant for Spirituality and how he Overcame Challenges to Produce a Popular Line of Religious Fiction Robert Fleming Article Q. Where have you been after ...
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...
Interview with Production Designer Wynn Thomas
Interview with Production Designer Wynn Thomas Booker T. Mattison Article Production designer Wynn Thomas started working in theatre as a teenager growing up in Philadelphia. Upon graduation...
Chester Himes
Chester Himes Michael Marsh Article Long before becoming a famous novelist, Chester Himes was a budding criminal. But his life changed after he was arrested in Chicago. His approach to his fir...
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...
Video: Update on The Premier Website for Black Books
Video: Update on The Premier Website for Black Books Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com is a massive, feature rich, website. Many visitors don't appreciate the site's size and scope, so I created this v...
The Results of a Decade on Social Media
The Results of a Decade on Social Media Troy Johnson Article One of the most profound changes I’ve witnessed on the web, in the past decade, is the rise of social media. Here I share my insight and ...
Walter Dean Myers: More Than an Outstanding Writer
Walter Dean Myers: More Than an Outstanding Writer Troy Johnson Article by Wade Hudson I was stunned when I heard that Walter Dean Myers had made his transition. During the 25 plus years that my w...
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...
The 100 Best Web Sites for African Americans
The 100 Best Web Sites for African Americans Troy Johnson Article On April 4, 2003, EarthLink announced a partnership with MOBE (Marketing Opportunities in Business and Entertainment) to present The ...
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...
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 ...
C&B Books Distribution
C&B Books Distribution Troy Johnson Article http://www.cbbooksdistribution.com/ C&B Books Distribution started out as an online bookstore. Our mission was to sell books at a discount p...
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...
Video Distribution Service (http://videobookpromo.com)
Video Distribution Service (http://videobookpromo.com) Troy Johnson Article Video Distribution Service videobookpromo.com You've done the hard part; spending time and money creating your book tra...
Rappers Delight – Jay Z’s new book and the RZA interviewed
Rappers Delight – Jay Z’s new book and the RZA interviewed Troy Johnson Article “My life after childhood has two main stories: the story of the hustler and the story of the rapper, and the two ov...
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 ...
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...
Donald Trump is a Negger
Donald Trump is a Negger AALBC Staff Writer Article It’s not a typo. Donald Trump used a pick-up artist’s strategy to win the presidency. For those of you who don’t know much abo...
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...
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...
2009 ALA Midwinter Meeting - Denver, CO
2009 ALA Midwinter Meeting - Denver, CO Troy Johnson Article As part of my role as a board member of the Literary Freedom Project, and a full page ad in Mosaic Magazine, I offered to help Ron work th...
21st Century Slavery - My Reaction
21st Century Slavery - My Reaction Troy Johnson Article Generally when I get spam, whether it come from friends, family or a stranger, I usually just delete it. I get a lot of email. Most of it is ...
The Last Poets: Still On a Mission
The Last Poets: Still On a Mission DuEwa M. Frazier Article Before hip hop pioneers like the Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel or Run DMC, there was The Last Poets. Called 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...
The Web calendar editor for AALBC.com Events Page
The Web calendar editor for AALBC.com Events Page Troy Johnson Article Month January February March April May June July August September October November December...
Good Books, Films, Events & Articles – June 23, 2014 eNewsletter
Good Books, Films, Events & Articles – June 23, 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 e...
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
Power List of Best-Selling African-American Books - Fall 2014
Power List of Best-Selling African-American Books - Fall 2014 Troy Johnson Article Strong Sales Shown Among Hardcover Non-Fiction Titles in Fall Edition of the Power List of Best-Selling African-...
Thumper’s Picks
Thumper’s Picks Thumper Article It’s been a while but I’m back with a whole new set of books that I have fallen in love with, passed around, and will sing the praises of at the drop of ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Documentary Film on History of Blacks in Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction Books
Documentary Film on History of Blacks in Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction Books Troy Johnson Article https://www.youtube.com/embed/uvDW5z0b9po “The Invisible Universe documentary reveals the his...
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 ...
Blue Nile Press Presents: Raisins in Milk by David Covin
Blue Nile Press Presents: Raisins in Milk by David Covin Troy Johnson Article In 1977, when Toni Morrison was an editor for Random House, she read an early version of Raisins in Milk. In a letter she...
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...
Shine On: The Writings of Diane Oliver
Shine On: The Writings of Diane Oliver Michael A. Gonzales Article In 2021 my friend Paul Price was cleaning out a storage unit when he stumbled on collection of Black literature called Right On! A...
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...
Panel discussion entitled Their Eyes Were Reading Smut:
Panel discussion entitled Their Eyes Were Reading Smut: Troy Johnson Article I attended a panel discussion entitled Their Eyes Were Reading Smut: The Impact of Ghetto Fiction on African American Lite...
The Gilded Six-Bits, A Short Story
The Gilded Six-Bits, A Short Story Zora Neale Hurston Article A screening of the film The Gilded Six-Bits was held July 29, 2010 as part of the AALBC.com Brownstones Series in Harlem, New York. B...
June 2017 eNewsletter: The Best New Books, Author Info, and More
June 2017 eNewsletter: The Best New Books, Author Info, and More Troy Johnson Article This Month’s Newsletter is Made Possible by Support From Amistad Authors You Should Know Tracy K. Smith...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Troy Johnson: Literary Activist of the Year 2017
Troy Johnson: Literary Activist of the Year 2017 Troy Johnson Article On June 10, 2017, I had the fortune of being honored with the Literary Activist of the Year Award, which was presented to me ...
An Author You Should Know (Married Couples Edition)
An Author You Should Know (Married Couples Edition) Troy Johnson Article “An Author You Should Know” is a regular feature of AALBC.com where we promote noteworthy authors on our homepage, blog (see r...
Ellis Cose: An Author You Should Know
Ellis Cose: An Author You Should Know Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Author Ellis Cose (l) with childhood buddy Verdeen White of Earth White and Fire"][/...
Actor Bill Duke Praises Author Relentless Aaron
Actor Bill Duke Praises Author Relentless Aaron Troy Johnson Article Troy Johnson of AALBC.com joined renowned actor and director, Bill Duke and best selling author Relentless Aaron for a celebrator...
Dwayne Alexander Smith on Winning the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Debut Author
Dwayne Alexander Smith on Winning the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Debut Author Dwayne Alexander Smith Article When I reached the podium, after the applause had faded, the fir...
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...
Unpublished Stories From Octavia Butler Available for the First Time
Unpublished Stories From Octavia Butler Available for the First Time Troy Johnson Article Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006) was a bestselling and award-winning author, considered one of the best scie...
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 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...
AA Cultural Expo 2000
AA Cultural Expo 2000 Troy Johnson Article This was the AALBC.com's second year at the National African American Cultural Expo, which is held every year at the Philadelphia Convention Center. 20...
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 ...
May 2017 Newsletter: Bestselling Books, New Books, Author Info, and Much More
May 2017 Newsletter: Bestselling Books, New Books, Author Info, and Much More Troy Johnson Article Our May Newsletter is Generously Sponsored by Amistad Bestselling Books Bestselling Books: M...
Ten Steps to Promote Diversity in Children’s Literature
Ten Steps to Promote Diversity in Children’s Literature Troy Johnson Article Ten Steps to Promote Diversity in Children’s Literature by Wade Hudson This Diversity Books Pledge was developed after a...
In Remembrance of Dr. Walter Rodney, Martyred on June 13, 1980
In Remembrance of Dr. Walter Rodney, Martyred on June 13, 1980 James McIntosh Article This talk was delivered by Dr. McIntosh at John Henrik Clarke House on June 7, 2015 Today our topic is Walt...
A Profile of the Late Hugh Holton
A Profile of the Late Hugh Holton Michael Marsh Article Hugh Holton, passed May 18, 2001 at age 54, just eight days after his eighth novel, The Devil’s Shadow Books Behind the Ba...
The Black Arts Movement (BAM)
The Black Arts Movement (BAM) Kalamu ya Salaam Article “…aesthetic and spiritual sister of the Black Power concept.”―Larry Neal The Black Arts Movement spans the period fr...
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...
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. ...
September Newsletter: Recommended Reads, the MS Book Festival, and More
September Newsletter: Recommended Reads, the MS Book Festival, and More Troy Johnson Article Recommended Reads N. K. Jemisin the Only Writer to Win the Best Novel Hugo Award in three Consecutive Yea...
An Author You Should Know: Annette Gordon-Reed
An Author You Should Know: Annette Gordon-Reed Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Annette Gordon-Reed, American historian and legal scholar"][/caption] Hist...
The Louisiana Girls Trilogy from Jewell Parker Rhodes
The Louisiana Girls Trilogy from Jewell Parker Rhodes Troy Johnson Article The Louisiana Girls trilogy from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes brings together three heroic girls from acros...
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) Troy Johnson Article The author of the next installment of "Research & Share Your History" is my virtual friend Connie ...
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 ...
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...
AALBC.com’s eNewsletter – October 28, 2014
AALBC.com’s eNewsletter – October 28, 2014 Troy Johnson Article You may receive this eNewsletter directly in your email-box by subscribing. It may also be read on your Kindle ebook reader, or any dev...
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...
Jayne Allen’s Inspiration for Black Girls Must Die Exhausted
Jayne Allen’s Inspiration for Black Girls Must Die Exhausted Jayne Allen Article I knew that I wanted to write a story that gave authentic purpose to showcasing a Black female protagonist. I wanted...
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...
AALBC is Done with Amazon!
AALBC is Done with Amazon! Troy Johnson Article For almost 22, years AALBC has exposed readers of all backgrounds to books written by, or about, people of African descent. AALBC has published th...
April 18, 2017 Newsletter: New Books, Vote for Your Favorite Author, and More
April 18, 2017 Newsletter: New Books, Vote for Your Favorite Author, and More Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com Congratulates all the Winners of Pulitzer Prizes in the Letters and Drama Categories Fict...
Victoria Christopher Murray Celebrates a Writing Career Spanning 20 Years and 27 Novels!
Victoria Christopher Murray Celebrates a Writing Career Spanning 20 Years and 27 Novels! Troy Johnson Article “In 1997, I self-published my first novel, Temptation. I sold 9,000 copies in 6 months,...
Celebrating the Best in Black Literature (May 31, 2016 Newsletter)
Celebrating the Best in Black Literature (May 31, 2016 Newsletter) Troy Johnson Article Subscribe to AALBC.com’s eNewsletter Books to be Published in June Summer will heat up with some great new ...
Terrific Books Coming in May, Beyond Adichie, and More!
Terrific Books Coming in May, Beyond Adichie, and More! Troy Johnson Article Terrific New Books Coming in May Former U.S. Poet Laureate, Rita Dove will publish a collection of her poetry from the 30...
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...
Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant: Our writing career is officially on HOLD
Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant: Our writing career is officially on HOLD Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant Article Virginia DeBerry (r) and Donna Grant (l)