Black Issues Book Review
I first ran across this magazine in 1999, and even then there were others who recognized the quality and depth of it in that first year of publication. As such, Library Journal named it one of the top 10 new magazines of the year from over 1,000 new publications that year. Since then it has established itself as the authoritative voice for the world of African-American interest in books. As a book reviewer, bibliophile, and voracious reader, it means a lot to me...as it should you, to have such an influential voice committed to bringing attention to new writers, and providing in-depth coverage of established and first time authors. I count myself among the many people of color who enjoy sharing the experience and spurring to new heights anybody willing to make our presence a force to be reckoned with.
The strength of this magazine, accolades notwithstanding, is the style, content, and cosmetic makeup that gives it the edge over its competitors. You have 'Between The Lines', news about up and coming authors, industry buzz, what current authors are writing, including any celebratory information on the horizon; 'Books N Clubs', a section that chronicle the online web presences of book clubs, and reading groups; A Fiction and Non Fiction section; Children's Books/Reviews; A spotlight for poetry, and many other sections that make this magazine a must read before and after you purchase books.
Although 2-3 features are represented each quarter, it is my contention that it wouldn't help to run more. I'm sure readers would love to have more choices for industry and author spotlights that cater to several genres. That aside, it shouldn't take away anything from how all of the information is situated within the magazine itself.
In three short years, this entity has proven that they are the ones to beat and emulate. It is my hope that the editors and publishers would continue the path for improvement to insure the continuance in making the literary world a level playing field, and the beacon in black literature for the 21st century. It's no surprise from where I sit that the establishment wouldn't want it to be anything different. If you consider yourself to be a serious reader or bibliophile it would behoove you to enter a subscription as soon as possible! Visit Web site
QBR The Black Book Review
This quintessential magazine is holding its own among the adjunct aids that African-Americans refer to when they want to know what’s the latest in the literary arena. QBR is the oldest and the first book review operative exclusively dedicated to books about the Africana experience as defined from the founder’s mission statement.
I find this magazine to give off the impression of being more of an entity that the authors themselves are involved in, as opposed to an implement with backing from major corporations plying for share and representation in the black community. The latter, you find more often than not when we’re not prone to control your own destiny. To this magazine’s credit, and especially to accomplishments attained despite growing pains throughout the early tenure, they are destined to continue being a needed asset to supplement reading habits. You’ll l find a fine collective array of departments within the magazine that will appease satisfaction.
The overall layout of the magazine tend to be a little cumbersome with the multitude of information insights that it renders, but more than make up for it in meaningful content. In our community there are corporations that sponsor the aura of who we are, what we represent, and how we should go about displaying our strengths, but from the beginning this group didn’t want to be defined by others.
QBR has been the harbinger and major benefactor of the Harlem Book Fair, and has published and edited the book, Sacred Fire: QBR’s 100 Essential Black Books. These are supportive icons that no doubt add to the legacy of being the forerunner in bringing the people what they want, and being the beacon to shed light. As a bibliophile and needing all there is to help me stay in tune to the latest, this magazine is a must, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to you to add to the other black literary aids. Subscribe and be informed! Visit Web site
African American Authors Helping Authors (AA-AHA)
As an aspiring (struggling?) author back in the day, Delores Thornton had a dream to achieve the level of success that should be afforded her, as it was for others that she observed. After touring the country for several years she reasoned that effective promotions and unique marketing ploys were not only necessary but also the lone method needed for African-American authors to feel a part of the essence of being a writer. I imagined she must have lost quite a bit of sleep and experience more than her share of ill will looking for a niche to espouse light at the end of the tunnel. The missing pieces to the puzzling world of scale balancing for equality for Blacks came to her in an idealistic way for authors similar to her plight to gain toeholds. Authors helping each other starting the missing element to her ideas was the genesis for an organization to take hold and stay the course.
What followed through the years were aggressive marketing campaigns, authors jumping on the bandwagon for greater recognition, and savvy people within the core organization knowing what it meant to be in the right places to garner help when needed. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Ms Thornton, but she is high on my list as one of the many personalities that will be in the forefront of my endeavors. I’ve heard and read so much on this lady that it warranted my research for validity to include it as a bastion for this bailiwick.
I would imagine that to support the need for such an organization that somewhere, someone had to have come to the aid of Delores Thornton to feel that the missing puzzle piece indeed was trying to figure out a way where everybody’s arms were long enough to engulf as many struggling authors needed to have legitimacy. What is it that fellow authors can do to support each other? Are authors compelled to come to the aid of others at the expense of their own upward mobility? I will give you an opportunity to visit AA-AHA’s online presence to see the former and the latter questions answered. Meanwhile, my search for Delores Thornton begins TODAY! Visit Web site
