Despite apparent gains on the publishing side, independent africanamerican publishers and. We see ourselves shining as a black light of christ. Although useful, these cultural and genderthemed book lists are often inadequate, restrictive, and in many ways stereotypical. African american images publishes and distributes books of an africentric nature that promote selfesteem, collective values, liberation, and skill development. Azarel, the founder of lcb, launched her publishing company with her own book a life to remember. Red letter press is a volunteerrun, notforprofit feminist and socialist book publisher. Founded in 1980, african american images provides authors with a mailing list of 125,000 customers, 25,000 of which are from the chicagoland area, as well as access to several of the. The black book promo platform gives aspiring, emerging and bestselling authors, as well as, small press, independent publishers, midlevel and large publishers a fresh new way to market and increase distribution, create awareness and build brands in the increasingly competitive publishing industry. Black comix african american independent comics art and. Victorian literature spans between 1837 and 1901, the reign of queen victoria.
For publishers in africa, the apr is free of charge. The organization is leading a campaign entitled preserve a legacy, buy a book. Kensington has sweeping and diverse imprints, including kensington, zebra books, pinnacle books. An independent publisher can be a great option for any author, and at any career stage. Why i chose an african publisher over a western one. Ala graphics produces promotional products in support of libraries, literacy and reading. The immense popularity of comics and graphic novels cannot be ignored. All information in these listings are from the publishers.
Today, april is writing her novels fulltime to ensure you the best entertainment. Some people are sceptical about my decision to work with an african publisher, especially given the fact that i live in america and have access to american and european agents. These publishers are publishing books concerned with african american issues. Important book fairs, festivals, and conferences coming in. What counts as english literature spans over a thousand years, but you. Here are the results of the 2017 independent publisher regional and ebook awards, presented to the years best titles published in these important and growing divisions of independent publishing. Apr 20, 2016 some people are sceptical about my decision to work with an african publisher, especially given the fact that i live in america and have access to american and european agents. The founderceo is tony rose, an naacp image award winner. Zane, bestselling author and the publisher of strebor books, says that mainstream bookstores and outlets such as target dont promote books by. This is our listings of african american book publisher. Just us books is a small, independent press established to fill a hole in. Ipg is the original independent book sales and distribution company in the united states. The american cancer society, a leading publisher of books for people with diabetes and health professionals, publishes in the areas of healthfitness, selfcare, cookingnutrition, caregiving, treatmentprevention, children and family, and oncology. Congratulations and sincere thanks to the independent authors and publishers who participated in our 22nd annual, 2018 independent publisher book awards contest.
Here are the gold, silver and bronze medalists in our 83 general categories. Books with a noncaucasian person as theone of the lead characters. Of those are hundreds of book publishers, quite a few of them are blackowned meaning they are owned by african american entrepreneurs. Africanamerican literature, fantasy, fiction, nonfiction, romance, scifi, thrillers, true crime, westerns. It started out publishing four books a year, and had climbed to 28 books after just seven years. First of all, getting published by a small press is a lot easier. They are especially problematic for young black boys, many of whom are reluctant readers. Established in 1974, kensington, americas independent publisher, located in new york city, is the foremost independent publishing house in the united states publishing in hardcover, trade paperback, and mass market.
Persea books is an independent publisher based in new york. American library association ala editions chicago, united states. Urban books is a wellknown, mainstream indie book publisher that specializes in urban novels that focus on african american themes. Its axiomatic among black publishing professionals that black. African american book publisher book publishing companies. Listed below are africanamerican book publishers active in the united states during the period 196080, their location, date of founding and demise, if applicable, and selected publications.
Most publishers have african american, latino, girl, or boy childrens book lists. The black church in the african american experience. In the last 20 years since it started, melville house has published many distinguished literary titles, including works from two nobel prize winners, imre kertesz and heinrich boll. The negro motorist green book promised safer travel without embarrassment. Adrian mahers uninvited is an uproarious account of his partycrashing adventuresand the quirky characters that shared his compulsions. Austin macauley publishers are an independent publisher based in london. For now, however, presses continue to bring books to market. This includes purchasing books from independent bookstores or online. Below is an african american book publishers list compiled by randall k. For many, like black classic press and just us books. Haki madhubuti entered the world of book peddling on a chicago street corner. Africanamerican fiction, young adult fiction, selfhelp, and inspirational genesis press is the largest privatelyowned africanamerican book publisher in the country. Genesis press has introduced several significant imprints, pushing the boundaries of africanamerican and crosscultural literature further and further into the horizon. We publish the work of southern african women writers.
Its goal is to put books back into childrens homes. Books, a publishing house exclusively dedicated to producing black. Feature 2017 independent publisher book awards regional and ebook medalists. Four black owned indie publishers aspiring authors should know. Africa world press is also the publisher of no easy victories. Real african publishers independent publishers group. We publish quality books and other publications with a focus on cultural and political history, biography and autobiography, art, photography and education. Modjaji books is an awardwinning independent feminist press that publishes the work of southern african women writers. African american books meet your next favorite book.
Modjaji books is an independent publishing company based in cape town, south africa. If you see information that needs to be changed, please contact us. Blackowned publishers you need to know about book riot. Originally started as an online literary magazine in 2004, it expanded into a small press in 2009. Since its founding in 1974, kensington has introduced the world to dozens of bestselling writers and developed countless marketing innovations while remaining steadfastly independent. Based on the true story of cherokee indians who owned african slaves on a georgia plantation, the cherokee rose was chosen by the georgia center for the book as one of 2015s books all georgians should read. Brooklynbased independent publisher melville house was founded in 2001. Agentquery find the agent who will find you a publisher. Black comix is a series of art books curated by damian duffy and john jennings, brought to you. Here are six africanamerican publishers who remain in the trade, committed to sharing highquality literature and nonfiction to challenge and inform. Africanamerican newspapers flourished in the major cities, with publishers playing a major role in politics and business affairs. With bestselling titles in multiple genres and the addition of. By 1990, the sspb had become the largest africanamericanowned religious publisher in the world. Get published with one of these 9 indie publishers ny book.
For the regional, e book, and outstanding category medalists, click the links below. This years contest drew almost exactly 5,000 entries from 49 u. African american images independent publishers group. Our books are true to the spirit of modjaji the rain queen, a powerful female force for good, growth, new life and regeneration. A new generation of africanamericanowned bookstores. Since their establishment in 1975, they have published hundreds of books spanning a wide range of genres and subjects, including fiction, memoirs, poetry, biography, and more. This ultimately built her confidence in pursuing a career in african american literature. But in light of the comics boom that has taken place over the past 10 years the artists, writers and publishers that comprise the vibrant african american independent comics community have remained relatively unknown, until now. When troy johnson began tracking the number of blackowned bookstores in the u. This phoenixbased publishing company is the nations largest africanamerican publisher of selfhelp books and music biographies. Representative leaders included robert sengstacke abbott 18701940, publisher of the chicago defender.
The publishers and distributors listed on this page are publishers and distributors in africa and around the world that either focus exclusively on africarelated books or publish a significant number of books on africa each year. Our comprehensive sales and marketing approach, extensive account reach, and innovative digital services ensure access into every imaginable channel, including gift, specialty, wholesale, and digital accounts worldwide. Suggest a publisher to include in africafocus bookshop. Diversity in book publishing isnt just about writers marketing. The big, big list of indie publishers and small presses. We believe that literature has the potential to change the way we see the world, and that bringing new voices to essential conversations is the clearest path to ensuring a vibrant, diverse, and empowered future. Founded in 1980, african american images provides authors with a mailing list of 125,000 customers, 25,000 of which are from the chicagoland area, as well as access to several of the largest churches in chicago for additional programs. Awardwinning childrens book author and illustrator christopher myers wrote an opinion. Womens, feminist, and lgbtq publishers the office of. Though many of these small, independent, blackowned publishing houses have since ceased to operate, some are still thriving today. African american independent comics, art and culture by jennings, john,duffy, damian and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Lyrical press offers authors an opportunity to break out fresh content to a wide audience with the personalized publishing experience of an independent house. Tony rose, the african american literature book club.
Underground voices underground voices is an independent american book publisher. The black cabinet never won official recognition from the president, and with his death, it disappeared from view. We publish over 600 books annually in both fiction and nonfiction. Kensington continues to be the foremost american publisher of romance novels. Venerable beacon press shines on social issues bostonbased beacon press, a nonprofit independent book publisher founded in 1854 as the press of the american unitarian association, has long been known as a house devoted to providing the public with thoughtprovoking, sometimes controversial, works focusing on social issues. Ala editions is a professional and reference book publishing imprint of the american library association. Ste publishers is an independent south african publisher founded in 1996. In soul food junkies, filmmaker byron hurt briefly describes what it used to be like for african americans to travel in. In the black church in the african american experience, based on a tenyear study, is the largest nongovernmental study of urban and rural churches ever undertaken and the first major field study on the subject since the 1930s. Christian publishing company black light fellowship. Our goal is to spread the message in that literature with as many people as possible.
We give voice to new ideas that reach beyond the trends. A selfdescribed queer black girl from harlem, jones says, i grew up. The african american childrens book fair is a part of the african american childrens book projects initiative to promote and preserve multicultural childrens literature. By 2014, that number had dwindled to 54, a decline of 83%. African liberation and american activists over a half century, edited by africafocus editor william minter, gail hovey, and charles cobb. Kensington is considered a leader and innovator in such areas of publishing as african american, cozy mysteries, westerns, and of course, romance. Africanamerican book publishers in the united states. Black churches in america have long been recognized as the most independent, stable, and dominant institutions in black communities.
More important, they are unanimous in the need for publishers to make it a priority to send african american authors to independent african american bookstores. Milkweed editions is a nonprofit, independent book publisher specializing in literary nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. African american book publishers list hafroam hnet. Here are the gold, silver and bronze medalists in our 83 national categories. Top 7 blackowned book publishers that you should know. African american independent comics gallery graphic. Slideshow of african and africanamerican presses operating in the united states. Organized in 1979, black light fellowship is a small africanamerican publishing and media company.
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