Black Authors: How to Self-Publish, Market and Promote Your African American Book
Leveraging the power and global reach of the Internet is the next step you must take.
Every author needs a web page. Do you have one set up for your book or books yet? This site will serve as the foundation of your marketing campaign and is a step you cannot afford to skip. Your website will be used as a vehicle to promote both yourself and your work 24 hours per day. It will also display or link to book reviews, to provide the media and press with an avenue for contacting you for interviews, and will of course help you sell your product.
Your website does not have to be fancy and expensive. As a matter of fact, it is better if it’s rather non-dynamic. You want the key focus to be on your book and YOU, not your fancy FLASH intro.
After that, you need to get your book reviewed. There are mainstream book reviewers, and there are many niche market reviewers as well. Take a look at John Kremer’s list of newspaper reviewers.
Authors of books which target an African American audience have many options available.
When seeking reviews, be prepared to send out a copy of your book along with a headshot photograph, author contact information, and information on where your book can be purchased. This is when you would mention your wonderful new website! Here is a list of top Black book reviewers and websites:
- QBR The Black Book Review
Founded in 1992, QBR s the first national book review exclusively dedicated to books about the African experience. Also produces The Harlem Book Fair.
http://www.qbr.com/ - The Grits-Dot-Com
An online book promotion community featuring author interviews and reviews. Also focuses on children’s books.
http://www.thegrits.com - APOOO Bookclub
Owned and run by Yasmin Coleman, Apooo is a smaller but noted book review website. She provides links to author websites which is quite nice.
http://www.apooo.org - Felicia Pride’s Black Books Blog – More Than Words
Felicia reviews and blogs about Black books on AOL’s Black Voices channel
http://www.blackvoices.com/entertainment/books/ - Kam Williams, Syndicated Critic and Reviews
Kam reviews books, movies and music, and his syndicated column appears on dozens of Black websites in the U.S. and abroad. Here is a link to his review of my book Sucka Free Love!, which subsequently appeared on Kam’s list of Best Black Books of 2007!
http://reviews.aalbc.com/sucka_free_love.htm
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Deborrah
Veteran social researcher, relationship advice columnist, author and radio host. Author of hundreds of articles on American and black culture, gender issues, singles, dating and relationships. Author of "Sucka Free Love!" , "The 24 Types of Suckas to Avoid," "The Black Church - Where Women Pray and Men Pray," and "Why Vegan is the New Black" all available on Amazon.Com. Her unique voice and insightful commentary have delighted fans and riled haters for 20 years. Read her stuff on SurvivingDating.Com and AskHeartBeat.Com.
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