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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 ...
Top Ten Reasons Why African American Bookstores Are Closing
Top Ten Reasons Why African American Bookstores Are Closing Gwen Richardson Article Editor’s Note: On March 25, 2012 we published our new bookstore database. At the same time we also publ...
Favorite 50 African American Authors and Favorite 100 Titles of the 20th Century
Favorite 50 African American Authors and Favorite 100 Titles of the 20th Century Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com’s Favorite 50 African American Authorsand Favorite 100 Titles...
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...
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...
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...
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...
100 Bestselling Authors, New Books, and More: October 2016 eNewsletter
100 Bestselling Authors, New Books, and More: October 2016 eNewsletter Troy Johnson Article Our Top 100, All-time, Bestselling Authors We are excited to present our regularly updated list of our top...
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...
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...
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...
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...
October Bestsellers, Award Winning Books, New Bookstores and More
October Bestsellers, Award Winning Books, New Bookstores and More Troy Johnson Article Bestselling Books September/October 2017 The fiction category was dominated by Sadeqa Johnson’s novel Second ...
Black-Owned Bookstores Directory
The most comprehensive global directory of Black-owned physical and online bookstores. Find local independent Black booksellers.
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...
What I’d Say: On Writing “Frankie Five Hundred”
What I’d Say: On Writing “Frankie Five Hundred” Michael A. Gonzales Article Recently my short story “Frankie Five Hundred” was published on the literary website Evergreen Review. Founded ...
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...
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...
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...
How Bloggers Can Help Each Other
How Bloggers Can Help Each Other Troy Johnson Article A few years ago I created a website, Huria Search, to showcase and highlight the websites of Black content providers, including magazines, ne...
Taking Over Wall Street with Books by Charisse Carney-Nunes
Taking Over Wall Street with Books by Charisse Carney-Nunes Charisse Carney-Nunes Article The Lit Bit Wall Street is in for another invasion… no, not just more protestors armed with ...
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 ...
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...
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...
Three Largest Africa-American Book Sites Join Force to Promote Black Literature
Three Largest Africa-American Book Sites Join Force to Promote Black Literature Troy Johnson Article January 7, 2008For Immediate Release MEDIA INQUIRIESTroy Johnson, AALBC.com, (866) 603-8394Gwen Ri...
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...
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AALBC.com - African American Literature Book Club (Home)
AALBC.com is the oldest and largest website dedicated to books by or about people of African descent. Celebrating Black literature, authors, book reviews, bestselling books, literary events, and Black...
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...
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...
Vote for the Best Book Trailer of 2010!
Vote for the Best Book Trailer of 2010! Troy Johnson Article There are only 2 days left to cast your vote for the finalists of the Best Book trailer of 2010. Cast you vote now: https://bit.ly/best...
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...
AA Book Stores
AA Book Stores Troy Johnson Article Click Here for New Black Owned, Independent Bookstore Database
What is typical discount to book sellers?
What is typical discount to book sellers? Troy Johnson Article "I have self published my own book and I am presently looking to place it with local bookstores. Is there a customary discount giv...
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...
Online Magazines
Online Magazines Troy Johnson Article Below you will find a list of many resources available to locate print and electronic publications of all genres. Using the links below you'll find sear...
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...
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...
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 ...
“Furious Flower” Conference Celebrates African American Poetry
“Furious Flower” Conference Celebrates African American Poetry Jamie Walker Article Harrisonburg, Virginia: Over sixty distinguished poets and scholars gathered to help set the agenda for African A...
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 ...
Barack Obama at Harlem's Apollo Theater, November 29th 2007
Barack Obama at Harlem's Apollo Theater, November 29th 2007 Troy Johnson Article Barack Obama http://aalbc.com/authors/barack_obama.htm Barack Obama hosted a fund raiser at Harlem's "World ...
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...
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...
Iyanla's Vanzant's Book Now a #1 New York Times Best Seller
Iyanla's Vanzant's Book Now a #1 New York Times Best Seller Troy Johnson Article In 1998, Iyanla Vanzant was AALBC.com's first #1 best selling author. Vanzant had three titles on our 1998 Best Selle...
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...
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...
Book Expo America 2000
Book Expo America 2000 Troy Johnson Article Book Expo America 2000 (BEA), held in Chicago May 31st to June 4th 2000 was a tremendous event. Anything you wanted to know about books and publishing...
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 ...
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...
The Sight of the 360 Event
The Sight of the 360 Event Troy Johnson Article I never did identify all the folks in the photos below (Troy's note: 1/24/2026) , Toni Asante Lightfoot, Kalamu ya Salaam, , , wad...
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...
Ben-Jochannan, Clarke & Van Sertima's Reading Lists
Ben-Jochannan, Clarke & Van Sertima's Reading Lists Troy Johnson Article Dr. Ivan Van Sertima (Jan 26, 1935 – May 25, 2009), Dr. Yosef “Dr. Ben” Ben-Jochannan (Dec 31, 1918 - March 19, 2015), and Dr...
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...
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 ...
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...
AALBC.com Celebrates 20 Years!
AALBC.com Celebrates 20 Years! Troy Johnson Article Website Upgrade Nearing Completion I’m just a few months away from completing AALBC’s most recent upgrade. It has been a two year ...
Up & Coming Magazine
Up & Coming Magazine Troy Johnson Article Editor's Note (13 Jan 2013): We bleieve this magazine may be out of print. Their old domain has be claimed by a diiferent magazine with the same name....
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 ...
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...
Just Few Popular Books on AALBC.com
Just Few Popular Books on AALBC.com Troy Johnson Article
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...
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...
Read This to Discover Great Authors, Books, Events & More
Read This to Discover Great Authors, Books, Events & More Troy Johnson Article ★ Read Our eNewsletter Archives ★ Subscribe to Receive Highlights of Our eNewsletter and More on Your Kindle Sponsor...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
3rd Blackboard Midwest Music & Book Fest.
3rd Blackboard Midwest Music & Book Fest. Troy Johnson Article ***PLEASE FORWARD*** For more information, contact Cherlyn Michaels @ info@archlandbooks.com or by phone at 314.369.613...
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...
December 2016 Newsletter - Great New Books, Best Film of the Year, and More
December 2016 Newsletter - Great New Books, Best Film of the Year, and More Troy Johnson Article Cerece Rennie Murphy – Our eNewsletter Sponsor for December Experience The Love of A Lifetime ~ T...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
Remembering Ossie Davis, With Love
Remembering Ossie Davis, With Love Jamie Walker Article “In the light of Africa, there is Ossie Davis.” —Attallah Shabazz
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 ...
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...
The Best of The Black Book Web Sites - and other thoughts
The Best of The Black Book Web Sites - and other thoughts Troy Johnson Article Having published and monitored the activity of on-line newsletters for over 7 years I have a good feel for what subjects...
39 Bestselling Books and More About #ReadingBlack
39 Bestselling Books and More About #ReadingBlack Troy Johnson Article New Video Highlights 3 Books that Epitomize #ReadingBlack Spotlight is a new feature where I share, in short videos, informat...
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...
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...
Power List Best-Selling Books • Spring 2015
Power List Best-Selling Books • Spring 2015 Troy Johnson Article Multi-Title Authors Find Success on Spring 2015 Edition of the Power List of Best-Selling African-American Books May 22, 2015 ...
Can Black People Go 5 Minutes Without Music?
Can Black People Go 5 Minutes Without Music? Troy Johnson Article ...or rather why do we have to blast the music during every gathering? Having been back in Harlem now for about 4 years -- after bein...
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...
African Americans Figure Prominently in Presidential Debate
African Americans Figure Prominently in Presidential Debate Jamie Walker Article African Americans Figure Prominently in Presidential Debate by Jamie Walker Washington, DC&...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
Our Future is Cyberspace
Our Future is Cyberspace Troy Johnson Article “Outsiders” have often dictated the trends of African American Culture, sometimes doing the job themselves, sometimes using what authors John A. Williams...
AALBC.com eNewsletter - September 20th 2012 - Issue #194
AALBC.com eNewsletter - September 20th 2012 - Issue #194 Troy Johnson Article Subscribe to this eNewsletter Read our eNewsletter Archives Read Our eNewsletter on Your Kindle AALBC.com's 25 Best Se...
New World of Words: Black Writers and poets spin tales of imagination and reality from Detroit to the world
New World of Words: Black Writers and poets spin tales of imagination and reality from Detroit to the world Renee Prewitt Killingsworth Article Originally featured in Detroit’s Cityview News...
5 Things Writers Must Do To Survive Online
5 Things Writers Must Do To Survive Online Troy Johnson Article Today, despite all the technology and social media at our disposal, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the average writer to ear...
Notes: The Impact of Amazon, Google, and Facebook on the “Black Book Ecosystem”
Notes: The Impact of Amazon, Google, and Facebook on the “Black Book Ecosystem” Troy Johnson Article Presented at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s House in Sacramento CA, June 3rd 2017 Amazo...
The 100 Best Films of 2012
The 100 Best Films of 2012 Troy Johnson Article Kam Williams’ Annual Assessment of the Cream of the Cinematic Crop It’s impossible for me to limit my favorite films of 2012 to just 10 of the year’s ...
African-American Pavilion at Book Expo America 2007
African-American Pavilion at Book Expo America 2007 Troy Johnson Article BookExpo America's Conference/Educational Programs run from May 31 - June 3, 2007 at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in New...
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,...
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...
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...
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...