Black Coffee discussion

I recently wrote an ebook Memoirs of A slave, and put the first nine chapters on Amazon, Kobo and smashwords, and people pretty much ignored it. So I read a blog about being a black author and attracting white readers that was written by a white reader, so I changed the title and cover to "Murder Along Burley Creek," and it started moving and the web views went way up because the book is now about a murder not slavery...although I didn't chang anything.
I believe a book about slavery or the word 'slavery' in the title by a new black author turns white readers off.....and if it's not about street lit than it turns black readers away which is also sad. Since I'm not a fan of street lit, I've decided that Murder Along Burley Creek will be last novel involving black main characters. I know that sounds sad......but i have to accept the truth. For the next month i'm going to market hell out of this book before its full release on Nov. 18th. and hopefully i will sale a few copies.

Yeah I totally get what you are saying. But write what you feel. I just read an interview from Toni Morrison (my favorite author) and she said, which many writers say, that you should write a book for you. It will be more authentic and the sales will come later. If you start off "writing for the people" it will be less authentic and you may not even be as happy with the characters. So stay true to you be it black characters, white, Asian whatever.

I also, a while back read a different interview with her where a reporter asked her how does it feel to be an "author" and not just a black woman author" anymore. As if she made it now because now white people consider her an author and will read her books. haha I love her response. She said I am a woman and I am black so that would still make me a black woman author. That hasn't changed! BOOM! I loved her response because the dream wasn't to drop the black woman part...either way she is stil an author and still a woman and of course still black. I guess what I am saying is stay true to you in whatever way that is. If it's meant to be success will come! Congrats on your novel!

Thanks, I needed that

:)

kisha wrote: ":)"

I have to agree with Kisha.

I am a fan of books and writing in the "Sword and Soul" genre. This is fantasy based on ancient and medieval African culture and traditions where the main characters are almost always Africans (or people of African descent). You most probably gathered that work covering “Sword and Soul” is penned by Black authors. I’m sure that these authors have struggled with similar concerns that you mentioned but have continued to hold true to what they want to write. I would say do the same!

Good luck with the novel. I have added it to my to-read list and look forward to reading it.

I agree with what's been said about being true to who you are. I think it's more fulfilling when you write exactly what you feel in your heart and people love it. That's great! However, I do think your personal goals play a factor in the choices you make. If the desire is to find success with a certain group then you'll have to alter things about your writing to appeal to that particular group. I think writers have to be true to themselves and strive for the goals that are important to them.

If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be not to ever make your readers feel tricked. If a person doesn't enjoy reading about slavery and they buy a book that they thought was about something else and it turns out to be about slavery, it could make them not trust you and therefore refuse to support you in the future.

The original cover of my first book had white hands on it. All of my characters were black and Latin so I received a few angry messages from people who felt that I had deceived them and they didn't appreciate it. A lot of people thought I did that to attract white readers when the truth is, I didn't even think about it. The design team submitted the cover for my approval, I thought it was a cool concept and I went with it. I was SHOCKED by how upset people were. However, when I got the chance to re-release the book, I made sure the cover was representative of the characters inside because I never again wanted anyone to feel like I was trying to trick them. Who knows how much support I lost because the perception was that I'd been deceitful.

another good point, I think I was just fustrated. Maybe it's just nerves because I have month to go. You guys are awesome. Thanks for the support.

it's frustrating because it's your passion and you want everyone to love it! I'm gonna put a link up of this interview I think it will help you see things clearer. Just remember unlike most careers writing is an art that expresses who you are. Write what you know and can relate to. it's not supposed to feel like a job you should enjoy it. Your book is supposed to be one that you yourself would pick up off the shelf. Do that and The fans will come!

Hi

I think it is difficult for any Indie writer to get their work noticed, but it is probably harder if you are a black writer.

But in your case, I actually think it may just be that the new title is a lot better than the original. I wouldn't pick a book called Memoirs of A slave unless I was studying slavery or needed to research it for some reason. Also, everyone knows that it can be a really depressing subject, and a challenging read, and most people just want to be entertained when they pick up a book. The new title already grabs interest because it suggest that there is a mystery that needs to be unravelled and it paints a picture, making you curious as to the setting of the novel, Burley Creek. I'm a black writer, and I think it is difficult to get your books out to a mainstream audience as people assume that it is only written for other black people and it is the reason why it is so difficult to find a publisher as most of them think that it will only appeal to a small audience. But I don't think that making the decision to stop having main black characters in your book is a good one. I read a review that Alicia Mccalla wrote of Authentic Swing: Notes From the Writing of a First Novel in which the writer states that you should "follow the muse" when it comes to writing, and that is what I believe. I think you'll end up taking the joy out of the creative process if you try to do anything but follow the muse. My novel Dark Genesis is set during slavery, but I suppose it would appeal to a mainstream audience because it is a vampire novel and one of the main characters is white. But I didn't create a white main character just to try and appeal to the mainstream, I followed the muse and that is where it led me. I also think that you underestimate white readers by assuming that they won't appreciate a well written book just because it has black main characters. I've had people from all races and age groups review my novel and the thing that seemed to impact them the most, was the topic of slavery.

But hang in there, I believe that the quality of your work will speak for itself, and if people like it, they will tell other people about it, so just keep doing the best that you can.

ADK x

Thanks! After 48 hours to think about it i kind of came to that conclusion. White, black, green or purple i think the new title is much more inviting. Thank you so much for your support

Isn't that the funny thing about marketing. It's all about manipulation (in a good way). You changed the name and kept the story yet some way in the minds of some the story is about one thing instead of the other. that was probably a good marketing strategy for you (all though I'd probably read Memoirs of a slave first because I love black history fiction but not big on crime.) But I also realize I'm a small percentage. There are way more people reading Mystery on Mystery Along Burkley creek than Memoirs of a Slave. I suppose people unlike myself who has a weird twisted obsession with slavery, probably pick up a slave book in February or for a black history class or bookclub. The see the word slavery and think...I'm not trying to read about that today not realizing how much more is in the story than just slavery! I don't know what kind of team you have, but when you are putting it out all by yourself it's hard to think of the things that editors and literary agents typically think of so I know your struggle. And good luck.

Im glad i opened the door to this topic

Yes its makes for a great discussion!