Wed, 06 May 2026 06:44:17 -0400WeeblyTue, 30 Sep 2014 18:58:16 GMThttps://www.africanamericanarts.org/literature/the-art-of-african-american-literatureLiterature is defined as a “body of written work of a particular culture or people.”  African Americans have an important viewpoint that is too often being ignored by the publishing industry.  This is despite findings from a research study, that college-educated African American woman are the segment of society that is most likely to read a book.   The state of publishing today is going through a great upheaval as result of the changes of the distribution models as well as the increased popularity of eBooks.  African American authors are further impacted by the lack of diversity among editors and publishing staff.  As a result, those who decide which books to promote have less of an appreciation for African American audiences.   

Lalita Tademy is the author of Cane River, a New York Times bestselling novel and the 2001 Oprah Book Club Summer Selection.  Tademy’s much anticipated new book, Citizens Creek is the evocative story of a once-enslaved man who buys his freedom and his granddaughter, who sustains his legacy of courage.   Despite Tademy’s earlier success, just two months before the launch of her new book, she lost her editor.  As a result, Tademy was forced to start generating sales on her own to ensure the success of her book launch on November 4, 2014.   According to Tademy, “In order to have a shot at getting on the New York Times Bestseller list, the gold standard for book visibility, a book needs to sell at least 3,000 copies that first week.”  

Nicki Salcedo is a two-time recipient of the Maggie Award of Excellence and a Golden Heart© Finalist.  Her debut novel, All Beautiful Things is a top seller on Amazon and has been described as “beautifully written and deeply touching, combining romance and suspense with literary grace.”   Salcedo has found that another hurdle for African American writers is the complexity of positioning in the market place.   Salcedo feels that “the question is how to market our books.  Some books defy target groups and genres.”  Salcedo’s book might be shelved with romance, African American fiction or women’s fiction.   

Another impact on the industry is the lack of willingness of publishers to focus on the universal nature of a story and challenge readers to go outside their comfort zones.    Salcodo hopes readers will be open to the work of authors of all backgrounds and will look for “a story that doesn’t fit into a box”.  Salcedo feels that writers should explore different voices.  For generations, women have changed their pen names to those of men to generate more interest. Many white authors like James Patterson have key characters that are African American.  Salcedo is currently writing a book where the central character is a white male.  

Regardless of the subject or background of the characters, the publishing industry should empower African American writers to be true to their voices, in whatever way they are manifested.   In order to ensure the success of African American books, our community must be willing to support its writers.             ]]>