Milton

The documentary by Kevin Costner, right?

Good question. As a self publisher/independent writer I don't meet the qualifications for most awards presented in my genre. But for me personally the awards are not that important. But I can understand the frustration. Awards are recognition from your peers of your accomplishments and most people would be lying if they said they wouldn't be happy to receive the praise of their peers. Awards also have a commercial benefit, acting as advertising by making other readers aware of your work. But that' how it goes for us. It's not right, but it's almost expected. Big ups to Toni Morrison.

The Black book store may have to consider become more diverse as well. Some are the only bookstore in the mall or shopping center they occupy. For instance, there is a local bookstore here that has a large Latino population as well. The store owner could probably benefit by offering spanish language books while keeping focused on his core business. He could also offer popular titles and periodical as well, since it is the only bookstore in the shopping center.

In my first go around in business I discovered much of what you guys are expressing. When i went into the publishing business I harbored no illusions. Like Hickson says, I've run into the scam artists and I've met some great people that have helped me along the way. My best advice is to go into this with no expectations. Write the best book you can, present it in the best way, and sell your ass off. That's all you can do.

A very deep discussion going on here. Hickson is dropping some serious knowledge. As I get deeper into my own publishing journey I'm encountering some of the same issues y'all are discussing. I had to disassociate myself from an event that I've attended since it's inception because the founder has decided it is better for him to play favorites than to do good business. It's a bittersweet decision but one that had to be made in order for me to continue to do good business and grow my company. To make a long story short, I embrace, enjoy and prefer doing business with my people AS LONG AS THEY DO GOOD BUSINESS. If not, I can't work with them. Period.

That's sad, Troy. I got the same response when I put a call out a few years ago among my fellow writers. I'm grateful for your list and plan to use it heavily during my upcoming marketing campaign. I think many black writers, especially black speculative fiction writers, are missing an opportunity to partner with black bookstores to becoming another unique revenue source. I hope I can inspire by example.

This is very true.

I once read a report that 85% of African Americans in the South had white descendants. That same report says 50% of white southerners have black descendants. It's a testimony to the abuse black women suffered during slavery and Jim Crow. Most African Americans in Chicago have southern roots so the information is of no surprise.

Nubian Bookstore, Morrow, GA. Marcus, the owner is cool and very supportive of local writers.

I am saddened by the level of materialism that exists not only among our young people, but Americans in general. It has always been an issue in this country since the beginning; the nation's constant expansion was based on Europeans' insatiable appetite for land which in those days was directly connected to wealth. Although we do need to establish our own businesses and financial institutions to provide employment and prosperity for our people, the everything has a price' attitude had devolved relationships between men and women to what one or the other can afford. Women and men have placed a price on themselves, believing that money buys happiness. I think that's the reason we see so many celebrities and other wealthy people resorting to dangerous behavior. They spent their lives seeking wealth only to find that once they have it it's not enough. There has to be a purpose to your life. We as parents and elders much teach that to our young ones.

Check out our latest Griots review! http://swordssorcery.blogspot.ca/2012/06/griots-sword-and-soul-anthology.html

So, tell me about this Black Pack party.

Nice!

I agree, Cynique.

Don't get me wrong. I embrace and I am proud of my African roots. I am also aware of the struggles we share across the globe as people of color. At the same time I'm aware at how we respond to these challenges differently based on where we are geographically and socially. For example, as African Americans we constantly struggle for equality and recognition in a society that has ignored us for hundreds of years. We also work to fill a void created by a deliberate cultural disconnect forced upon us. A Nigerian does not have the issue of cultural disconnect; although their region suffered the ravages of colonialism, the fact that they remained in their homeland allowed them to retain the dignity of place and the pride in knowing one's culture.

There are so many subgenre's of science fiction and fantasy that the term 'speculative fiction' is becoming popular as an umbrella term to encompass them all. Many people consider superhero comic books science fiction. The biblical prophecies wouldn't be considered science fiction if you follow the traditional definition of the title. I know many African Americans who say they write science fiction but upon reading it it is exactly what you explained, fiction that is biblical or spiritually based. It's interesting that you would describe speculative fiction as a story that requires you to suspend your belief system. I think that definition would apply to fantasy, but some science fiction is based on actual science. The fiction involves the situation created because of the science or the characters involved. This is sometimes called 'hard' science fiction. It's because of these different interpretations that our State of Black Science Fiction presentations are so lively.

There are many black science fiction and fantasy fans, they are just scattered and many keep to themselves because of how they were treated when they were younger when they showed interest in science fiction or fantasy. There is a new generation that doesn't have those hang ups and are eating up anything you put before them. The challenge is developing the necessary effective marketing to reach them.

I think science fiction and fantasy are essential for our people. Expanding our imagination means expanding our possibilities. Thinking outside the box is what produces the Bill Gates and Steve Jobs of the world.

It's the same in every country with an African descent population. I was talking to an Afro-French friend of mine and I was surprised and the racism he talked about there. "I thought the French liked black people," I said. "They like African Americans," he replied. "They can't stand their own black folks." As much as I love my African heritage, I don't consider myself African. If I did, I would rather identify with the specific people, culture or region where my ancestors originated.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

I wasn't paying attention.

The only folks that will do us right is us.

I agree with much of what you're saying Troy and I applaud and support your efforts. That's why I'm here. I'm aware of the many reasons black people will purchase. I've had people buy my books and refuse to take change. On the other hand I've had black people walk past me with a sideways glance. As a bookseller I can only concentrate on my process and focus on my goals. If I dwell too much on the inconsistencies I'll become stagnant. I also agree with you on the issue of book publishing. The solution is to do our own. I don't focus on NYT Best Sellers list because I know it's part of the major publishing infrastructure. I focus on my personal sales and my business. There will come a time that black books of all kinds will penetrate the publishing glass ceiling, but right now we have work to do, and I'm happy to support workers like you and Amari.

I definitely will. Thanks, Troy.

I'm familiar with the incident in Tulsa and Rosewood. It was common during that time for poor white to take out their frustrations and limitations on successful blacks. One interesting thing about the black economy back in the day was that many blacks worked as servants for wealthy white people. Because of this they continued to work during economic downturns that hurt poor whites. The result was jealousy and eventually violence. As far as the circulation of the black dollar, the author has to acknowledge the fact that as a consumer a black person back in the day had little choice but solicit black businesses. Now a black person can choose who he or she purchases from, which puts the black entrepreneur in a tough position. As a micro publisher I have learned that if you present a product on a competitive level to any business, black people will happily spend their money with you. However, you have to be competitive. We like good stuff, too.