|
|
|
December 2007 Newsletter |
|
An Affaire To Remember... Dyanne Davis: A shout out to the readers and writers out there. Merry Christmas. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you next year in Chicago at Romance Slam Jam. As we strive to make this an experience you won’t forget, I have to give a thank you to Deatri King-Bey. Her hand at the helm has kept us all on a steady and progressive keel. To that end she’s secured Affaire de Coeur as one of RSJ sponsors. A funny thing happened after that. Though the magazine is owned by an African American woman and she’s been faithfully supporting writers of color for many years, we learned many of the writers were not aware that she’s had our back, or that she’s African American. Since she’s been supporting us, I think it’s only right that the African American community know who she is and give her the same support. To help get the word out, I asked Louise if I could interview her for my website and use part of the interview for this article. If you want to read the interview in its entirety, check it out on my website: http://www.dyannedavis.com. I decided to allow Louise to tell you a little about herself and Affaire de Coeur in her own words Louise Snead: Thanks Dyanne. Happy Holidays to the readers and writers. I was a bit surprised to learn that African American writers/readers were unaware that the publication is a big supporter of their work. Since you asked me to tell how Affaire de Coeur came about, I will. I used to drop in on my local book store at least once a week to feed my addiction. Barbara Keenan, then owner of Affaire de Coeur and proprietor of a book store, and I would get into discussions about the books. I always felt they were overrated. She challenged me to become a reviewer. And I did. Barbara and I worked together for several years as partners. Then she was involved in a car accident and turned Affaire de Coeur over to me; that was in 1994, and I’ve led it since. I’m thrilled about being a part of RSJ. I don’t see very many African Americans at the other conferences. I don’t think we feel welcomed. I don’t feel African American books are welcomed. I do believe as long as there is a market for them, they will be published, but I don’t see the commitment by the publishers to see them flourish. I don’t see them promoted or advertised like non African American books. I love Walter Moseley’s books, but I have yet to see an ad for one of his books on TV as I do with James Patterson. Have you ever seen a Tananrive Due book advertised on the Sci-Fi channel? I don’t get Star’s romance channel, but I’d be interested to know if Gwynne Forster or Francis Ray or Beverly Jenkins are advertised on it. If you poll the average romance reader, they don’t read African American romance. Why? Romance readers indulge passionately in this genre because they want escape and fantasy. They want to believe there is a partner out there for everyone. They want to fantasize about who this person is. If you can have a heroine with all her foibles be loved by the end of the book, then there is hope for the reader. Many readers accept and love romance with vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches, faeries, elves, and the like, yet cannot accept a hero and heroine of color. For whatever reason, the hero/heroine of color is too different from their own experience, which is ridiculous. Is it the language, the description or because of their preconceived notion about who African Americans are and how they relate to each other? “Stereotyping has not helped us…” I would love to see more African American authors reap the success of their labor. But authors have a responsibility in their careers. Authors need to stop being complacent, do their homework and take some responsibility for their own success. When the publisher doesn’t promote them, they need to promote themselves. Competition is stiff. No one is going to know who you are because you pass out 500 book marks. With ten zillion web sites, why would anyone stop and actively look for yours? Promotion is the biggest part of the success. Do as many book signings as you can. Volunteer to do one at your local library. Attend relevant conferences—those that are not just interested in getting your money, but those who can help you network and promote. Take out advertising with the knowledge that the first three ads aren’t going to sell your book but that next one will. When a reader sees an author’s name over and over, they are motivated to look that author up. I’ve never tried to hide the fact that I’m African American, but I have to say Barbara was a lot more visible than I (I’m going to remedy that), and people may have assumed that I wasn’t. I have had some very interesting reactions when they did find out…from cancellation of ads to reviewers quitting. I have not enjoyed the support of the majority of the African-American authors, but I would like to think it’s because they don’t know about me We have actually solicited books for review because I realize some of these authors need all the avenues they can get. Dera, our head reviewer for African American books, has posted on her many boards that we welcome their books. Our only criteria is that they send them 3-4 months prior to pub date so we have time to get them reviewed. This is mass exposure that’s free. I have been paying out of my own pocket for several years for Affaire de Coeur, and I can’t continue to do so. We need advertising; we need subscriptions, we need you to ask your local book stores and library to order us (either through Ingram or directly) We are in hard copy. You can either subscribe on line at www.affairedecoeur.com/subscription.html or you can send a subscription order to 3976 Oak Hill Road, Oakland, CA 94605. For those mentioning this newsletter, we will give you a discounted subscription. Ad rates vary, depending on the size ad. I have a new discount web rate sheet that has not been posted yet (We have a new web master), and it offers huge discounts on all sizes. You need to contact me directly for this, though. I’d love to send free copies to conferences, not just Slam Jam. So just contact me if you’re giving a conference and need copies for your goody bags. I also like to come to conferences. If you need me for a panel or workshop, I’ll try. Affaire de Coeur is there for you. It’s a resource tool. Use it. Happy Holidays to all of you, too. Louise Snead 3976 Oak Hill Road Oakland, CA 94605 510-569-5675 Fax: 510-632-8868 affairedecoeur@comcast.net or sseven1@comcast.net Dyanne: To the ones of you who already knew Affaire de Coeur was an African American publication, terrific! To the ones of you who didn’t, now you know. Here’s hoping we all give Affaire de Coeur our support. |
|
You are receiving this
Newsletter because you have subscribed for our Newsletter at our site. If
you do not wish to receive further our newsletter click here to unsubscribe. Copyright © 2007 Romance Slam Jam Organization. All Rights Reserved. |