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James Brown “Godfather of Soul” Dies at 73 (1933–2006)
James Brown “Godfather of Soul” Dies at 73 (1933–2006) Jamie Walker Article Photo Source: http://www.funky-stuff.com Atlanta, GA James Brown, the legendary ’Godfather of Soul...
New List! Best-Selling Children’s Books
New List! Best-Selling Children’s Books Troy Johnson Article We've Just Added an Additional Category to Our Popular Best Sellers List—Children’s Books! Over the years, there has always been a gre...
December eNewsletter Great New Children's Books and More
December eNewsletter Great New Children's Books and More Troy Johnson Article Great Children’s Books Coming Soon I’m always on lookout terrific for children’s books, even before they are a...
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...
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...
Get On Up - A New James Brown Movie Coming!
Get On Up - A New James Brown Movie Coming! Troy Johnson Article I just learned about this up coming film from my online buddy, CD Burns, an hour ago. After watching the trailer, I figured I’d shar...
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 ...
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...
An UPTOWN Continuing Literary Tradition (Harlem 1986 - 1996)
An UPTOWN Continuing Literary Tradition (Harlem 1986 - 1996) Marie Brown Article ’ An UPTOWN Continuing Literary Tradition (Harlem 1986 - 1996) by ’Marie Brown (presented a...
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...
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...
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...
March 28, 2017 Newsletter — Book Recommendations, News, Contests, and More
March 28, 2017 Newsletter — Book Recommendations, News, Contests, and More Troy Johnson Article Top 120 Children’s Books from the Past 50 Years Our list of the Top 120 Children’s Books published ove...
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...
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...
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...
Sample Manuscript Critique #1 - AALBC.com Manscript Critique Service
Sample Manuscript Critique #1 - AALBC.com Manscript Critique Service Troy Johnson Article Sample Critique #1 Here is what an in depth examination of your manuscript or book will look like using A...
“Who Will Write a Story for the Children of Eric Garner?”
“Who Will Write a Story for the Children of Eric Garner?” Troy Johnson Article AALBC Guest Post by Zetta Elliott “Who will write a story for the children of Eric Garner?” This question came to mi...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Great Books, Events, Films & More - October 2015 eNewsletter
Great Books, Events, Films & More - October 2015 eNewsletter Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com’s Best Selling Books — July/August 2015 We just published our ten best selling fiction, nonfiction, and ...
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...
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 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 ...
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...
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...
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...
Mixed Race or Just Mixed Up? Children's Books Provide Answers
Mixed Race or Just Mixed Up? Children's Books Provide Answers Troy Johnson Article I noticed a surge in the number of books I sold, over the last two months (see best-selling books list), that dealt ...
AALBC.com's November 2010 eNewsletter Was Just Published
AALBC.com's November 2010 eNewsletter Was Just Published Troy Johnson Article I just emailed AALBC.com's November eNewslettter. It is full of information and articles about authors, books, movie...
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...
Why Fertile Ground is an Important Work
Why Fertile Ground is an Important Work Kalamu ya Salaam Article These Are The Lyrics, Our People Are The Music WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE SPIRIT OF BLACKNESS, the spirit of doing for self...
Sweet Potato Comfort Pie Recipe
Sweet Potato Comfort Pie Recipe Rose McGee Article Makes 2 9-inch pies Ingredients 4 medium-to-large sweet potatoes, boiled with skin on until tender, then cooled and peeled 2 cups...
African Influence on Easter (Ancient & Modern)
African Influence on Easter (Ancient & Modern) Cinque Brown Article Many African American will be celebrating the religious holiday of Easter this weekend. It is interesting that many of us only thin...
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...
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...
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...
Social Media Conversation with Two Successful Webmasters
Social Media Conversation with Two Successful Webmasters Troy Johnson Article Here Ron Kavanaugh, founder of Mosaicbooks.com and I, founder of AALBC.com, speak with Darryl J. Jenkins (my cousin) ...
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...
Gone to Where the Bong Trees Grow
Gone to Where the Bong Trees Grow L. E. Rainey Article The next time you pick up a picture book written by a contemporary children’s author flip through the pages. Take a few minutes to...
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. ...
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....
Novel Writing Workshops
Novel Writing Workshops Troy Johnson Article Novel Writing Workshop AALBC.com's Novel Writing Workshop (8 Sessions Online) Enjoy a writing workshop from the convenience of your own home! Get ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Why Diversity in Children’s Literature is Important
Why Diversity in Children’s Literature is Important Jewell Parker Rhodes Article A Keynote Address Delivered by Jewell Parker Rhodes April 30, 2015, during the American Booksellers Association&rs...
By 2034 95% of Americans Will be Obese or Overweight
By 2034 95% of Americans Will be Obese or Overweight Troy Johnson Article I saw the new documentary film Fed Up and was both outraged and saddened. Simply put, food companies are killing us and this...
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...
We, As a People, Will Get to the Promised Land!
We, As a People, Will Get to the Promised Land! Martin Luther King, Jr. Article Dr. King’s last sermon was delivered April 3, 1968, at the Church of God in Christ Headquarters, Memphis, Tennes...
Can I Get An Amen?
Can I Get An Amen? Ruth C. Taylor Article This article was originally published on now defunct, but historically significant, The Black World Today website and is shared here for archival purposes....
Seven Reasons Why Grant Proposals Fail to get Funded
Seven Reasons Why Grant Proposals Fail to get Funded Gina Wilson Beckles Article Gina Wilson Beckles, Ph.D. Program Evaluation Services, Inc. Life is about opportunities. They are ever present ...
Bebop Books
Bebop Books Troy Johnson Article Bebop Books is currently accepting manuscripts for emergent readers with multicultural themes. Emergent readers are used by kindergarten and first-grade teachers ...
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...
AA LIT. CONFERENCE 2000
AA LIT. CONFERENCE 2000 Troy Johnson Article THIS EVENT HAS TAKEN PLACE AND IS RECORDED HERE AS AN HISTORICAL ARCHIVE. AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE CONFERENCE 2000 "THE LEGACY LIVES O...
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...
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...
Bestselling Books, The Top 25 Black-Owned Sites, New Books, and More
Bestselling Books, The Top 25 Black-Owned Sites, New Books, and More Troy Johnson Article Bestselling Books July – August 2017 Fiction titles outsold all other genres this period, led by the stren...
Winner's Announced! The Best Book Trailer of 2010
Winner's Announced! The Best Book Trailer of 2010 Troy Johnson Article Here are the winners of the Best Book Trailer's of 2010. Please join me in congratulation off of the winners. 1st Prize ...
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...
Google‘s Adverse Impact on the World Wide Web
Google‘s Adverse Impact on the World Wide Web Troy Johnson Article (Note: On Sunday May 20, CBS’s 60 Minutes aired a segment on the power of Google, validating much of what I’ve written below) Goo...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
My Reaction to "Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons calls for an end to "offensive words" in rap music"
My Reaction to "Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons calls for an end to "offensive words" in rap music" Troy Johnson Article I guess the following could be considered a rant: This is j...
The Power of Blogs Part 5 & Updates on AALBC.com
The Power of Blogs Part 5 & Updates on AALBC.com Troy Johnson Article After all that talk about the power of Blogs, it is hard to believe that it has been a full month since my last update. Even...
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 ...
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...
The Best Black Book Search Engine Period!
The Best Black Book Search Engine Period! Troy Johnson Article http://thebestblackbooksearch.com Ok, despite the pretentious descriptor this is really a good way to query and learn about web sites th...
AA Book Stores
AA Book Stores Troy Johnson Article Click Here for New Black Owned, Independent Bookstore Database
Book Printers
Book Printers Troy Johnson Article Here are links to printers that AALBC.com recommends: Page Inactive
Complete List of 1,453 Titles Sold in 2006
Complete List of 1,453 Titles Sold in 2006 Troy Johnson Article Complete List of 1,453 Titles Sold in 2006 In 2006 AALBC.com sold 1,453 different titles via the Amazon....
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 ...
Dr. Frances Cress Welsing: An Author You Should Know
Dr. Frances Cress Welsing: An Author You Should Know Troy Johnson Article Dr. Welsing's book the The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors [1991, Third World Press] has been a best selling book on ...
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...
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...
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...
New Books Worth Checking Out - July 2013
New Books Worth Checking Out - July 2013 Troy Johnson Article At least once a month, on my Blog, I will share information about new books that I think you will enjoy. If you subscribe to my blog, v...
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)
AALBC.com eNewsletter - August 1st 2012 - #193
AALBC.com eNewsletter - August 1st 2012 - #193 Troy Johnson Article Subscribe to this eNewsletter Read our eNewsletter Archives Read Our eNewsletter on Your Kindle Help AALBC.com support our...
Authors & Publishers: Can't earn Amazon affiliate commissions? You can still benefit!
Authors & Publishers: Can't earn Amazon affiliate commissions? You can still benefit! Troy Johnson Article Authors in the following states; Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, R...
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...
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 ...
Cheryl Woodruff Named President and Associate Publisher of SmileyBooks
Cheryl Woodruff Named President and Associate Publisher of SmileyBooks Troy Johnson Article OK y'all this is big. Cheryl Woodruff, founder and former associate publisher of One World, Random House’s ...
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 ...
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? ...
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...
Sign Up as an Amazon.com Affiliate
Sign Up as an Amazon.com Affiliate Troy Johnson Article Sign Up as an Amazon.com Affiliate Authors whenever you supply an URL or post a link to Amazon, for other to buy your book wh...
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"][/...
Callaloo
Callaloo Troy Johnson Article CALLALOO: A JOURNAL OF AFRICAN DIASPORA ARTS & LETTERS Editor & Founder: Charles H. Rowell Founded: 1976 Publication Frequency: Quarterly Circulation: c....
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
Troy Now “Blogs” on AALBC's Discussion Forum
Troy Now “Blogs” on AALBC's Discussion Forum Troy Johnson Article AALBC’s Founder and Webmaster, Troy Johnson I’m not ending the sharing of my information, ideas, and opinions — I’m...
Google’s, Facebook’s, and Amazon’s Adverse Impact on Us All
Google’s, Facebook’s, and Amazon’s Adverse Impact on Us All Troy Johnson Article This lecture describes how these powers have taken control of the world wide web and how we are adversely impacted...
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...