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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...
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...
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 ...
The Power of Blogs Part 2
The Power of Blogs Part 2 Troy Johnson Article Interestingly enough the process was not as difficult as I thought it might be, however it is far from intuitive -- particularly if you are not technica...
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....
Free eBooks - Great Reads Available for Download Now
Free eBooks - Great Reads Available for Download Now Troy Johnson Article There are so many free, high quality, eBooks available for immediate download, it is really quite astonishing. One can down...
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...
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...
378 Excellent Books, 77 Important Events
378 Excellent Books, 77 Important Events Troy Johnson Article Top 100+ Recommended Children’s Books Children book authors, industry professionals, and avid readers contributed their favorite chi...
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 &...
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...
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...
3 Must Read Books for Social Media Advocates, Addicts & Sharecroppers
3 Must Read Books for Social Media Advocates, Addicts & Sharecroppers Troy Johnson Article These are three books I recommend we should all read. The strength of the Internet and promise it held ...
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...
Rare Classic Footage Resurfaces of Miles Davis from the Fifties
Rare Classic Footage Resurfaces of Miles Davis from the Fifties Kam Williams Article Rare Classic Footage Resurfaces of Miles Davis from the Fifties The Sound of Mil...
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...
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...
Marc Lacy Releases Curse of the Whiskey House
Marc Lacy Releases Curse of the Whiskey House Troy Johnson Article Curse of The Whiskey House made AALBC.com Best Sellers List for May/June 2015! Curse of the Whiskey House The highly anticipat...
What does Steve Harvey Know About Relationships?
What does Steve Harvey Know About Relationships? Troy Johnson Article My intent is not to pick on Steve Harvey personally, because I’m sure he is no worse, or better, than any of us. I just chose hi...
Caribbean Books You Should Know
Caribbean Books You Should Know Joanne C. Hillhouse Article By Joanne C. Hillhouse "I come from Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean. I write stories of and from the Caribbean. My first boo...
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...
Would You Stop Buying Books from Amazon.com to Save the Book Industry?
Would You Stop Buying Books from Amazon.com to Save the Book Industry? Troy Johnson Article Boycotting Amazon’s bookstore might mean, at least initially, that you’ll have pay a little more for books,...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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 ...
African Rhytms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston - Read This Book
African Rhytms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston - Read This Book Troy Johnson Article [caption id="attachment_316" align="alignnone" width="572" caption="Randy Weston performs at the Brooklyn Museu...
Reading Tony Martin Matters
Reading Tony Martin Matters Rhone Fraser Article In my interview with Paul Coates about his 2024 Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, he made the point that the works of Tony Martin sh...
Serendipity Literary Agency
Serendipity Literary Agency Troy Johnson Article ABOUT SERENDIPITY LITERARY AGENCY Located in Brooklyn, NY, near the heart of America's publishing industry, Serendipity Literary Agency,...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
“...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...
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,...
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...
AALBC.com eNewsletter – December 31st 2012 – Issue #197
AALBC.com eNewsletter – December 31st 2012 – Issue #197 Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com eNewsletter – December 31st 2012 – Issue #197 I hope you enjoy AALBC.com's last eNewsletter for 2012. Please ta...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
7 Award Winning Books You Will Definitely Enjoy
7 Award Winning Books You Will Definitely Enjoy Troy Johnson Article [caption id="attachment_2853" align="alignright" width="140"] Ernest J. Gaines[/caption] The following seven books are all winn...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
On Reading the Sad News: Ama Ata Aidoo
On Reading the Sad News: Ama Ata Aidoo Rashidah Ismaili Article Ama Ata Aidoo (March 23, 1942 – May 31, 2023) Just after reading the New York Times Art section where I see the continued resi...
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...
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...
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 ...
Benita Dale
Benita Dale Troy Johnson Article President of The Alliance for Cultural Enrichment, Inc. and Founder and Publisher of DIALOGUE BENITA R. DALE ace-dialogue@erols.com Ms. Dale fulfilled her...
Esther Magazine
Esther Magazine Troy Johnson Article Esther Magazine www.esthermagazine.com Good News for the Urban Teenage Girl of Faith Esther Magazine's in-your-face editorial content is not about ...
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...
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 ...
Ghost Boys, a Powerful New Novel, for Young Readers, from Jewell Parker Rhodes
Ghost Boys, a Powerful New Novel, for Young Readers, from Jewell Parker Rhodes Troy Johnson Article The #1 Kids’ Indie Next Pick A heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a po...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
Simon & Schuster Gives Racist Troll $250K Book Deal, But Boycotting Them Makes No Sense
Simon & Schuster Gives Racist Troll $250K Book Deal, But Boycotting Them Makes No Sense Troy Johnson Article Editor’s Note: Subsequent to the publication of the article, a video of Milo making commen...
New Books February 2017, Book Reviews, Events, and More
New Books February 2017, Book Reviews, Events, and More Troy Johnson Article New Books Coming Out February 2017 Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson A timely and powerful story about a teen gir...
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...
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...
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-...
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...
What is Wrong with Goodreads and Wikipedia?
What is Wrong with Goodreads and Wikipedia? Troy Johnson Article ...and why are they promoting Zane’s tax liability rather than her literary accomplishments? “The Web is critical not merely to the d...
Open Letter to Chris Brown
Open Letter to Chris Brown Kevin Powell Article Open Letter to Chris Brown by Kevin Powell March 23rd, 2011 Dear Chris: I really did not want to write this open letter, and would have prefe...
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...
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 ...
My Interview with Snoop of HBO's The Wire
My Interview with Snoop of HBO's The Wire Troy Johnson Article Felicia "Snoop" Pearson and AALBC.com founder Troy Johnsonvideo taped interview (8 minutes) The first time I saw Snoop was on HBO's The ...
Karen Steffans Interviewed by AALBC.com
Karen Steffans Interviewed by AALBC.com Troy Johnson Article Karrine Steffans is the author of the New York Times bestsellering books The Vixen Diaries (2007) and the wildly sucessful and scandelous...
Former Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine Opens Akwaaba D.C. Inn for Black Writers
Former Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine Opens Akwaaba D.C. Inn for Black Writers Jamie Walker Article Washington, D.C.: Hundreds of book lovers (in addition to a host of best-selling authors...
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...
Sonia Sanchez Performs “Full Moon” Concert in NYC
Sonia Sanchez Performs “Full Moon” Concert in NYC Jamie Walker Article New York: Poet Sonia Sanchez celebrated the release of her new CD called The Full Moon of Sonia (V.I.A. Recording Art...
Julie Dash discusses Daughters of the Dust on banresandnoble.com
Julie Dash discusses Daughters of the Dust on banresandnoble.com Julie Dash Article Moderator: Welcome, Ms. Dash! We are so pleased you can join us this evening! Do you have any opening comments? ...
Iron Pot Cooker CD Review
Iron Pot Cooker CD Review Troy Johnson Article The Iron Pot Cooker Click to Order via Amazon by Camille Yarbrough Audio CD (February 22, 2000) Number of Discs: 1 Label: Vanguard Records ...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
Anita Diggs
Anita Diggs Troy Johnson Article Anita Diggs is the author of three novels: A Mighty Love, A Meeting in the Ladies Room and The Other Side of the Game. She has worked as a Senior Editor...