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Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 266
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 09:25 am: | 
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This is a very interesting essay. I'd love you read your comments.
http://www.niggerati.com/2006/10/lesson-3-how-self-publishing-is.html |
Nafisa_goma
Newbie Poster
Username: Nafisa_goma
Post Number: 47
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 09:54 am: |
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Really great article. Astute, too. I was struck that he once lived in Brixton (so did our author Kola Boof).
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Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 263
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 10:36 am: |
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This is a good article; I first read it about a month ago and forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me, Emanuel.
Johnson makes some excellent points. While I support Black Entrepreneurship and do buy many self-published novels by Black and Latino writers, I believe that most would greatly benefit from investing in professional editing, typesetting, and cover design. This is sorely lacking, especially in the Urban Fiction genre, and I believe makes a huge difference in one's respectability as a self-published author. |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3278
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 11:49 am: |
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Until he can front money to somebody to purchase these things screw him.
I don't understand what it is about Negroes who don't want to do anything and don't want anybody else to.
Really I do, but it is too early in the morning for me to play the dozens--wonder what he thinks of all the WHITE authors who are doing this?
1)He's scared to deal with them
2)They are white and we have no right to criticize them
All he has to do is publish his stuff and have it knock everybody's eyes out so bad that everybody will write like him.
But of course he won't cuz he can't. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 265
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 12:17 pm: |
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Well, Chris, he claims to be an excellent writer but a poor salesman. I don't know how valid this claim is as I've never read any of Mr. Johnson's fiction, but if you're going to self-publish, don't you believe one's customer service and communication skills must be above reproach?
Many writers succeed with the written word, but fail as orators. It could be a case of sour grapes on Johnson's part, but it could equally be a case of his feeling frustrated that writers of inferior talent are realizing their literary dreams simply because they possess the gift of gab, yet no real writing ability. |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3284
Registered: 03-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 01:07 pm: |
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Urban_scribe:
I believe that the customer is always right and if they like what they are buying it just tickles me to death.
Some people think Oprah Winfrey is an erudite educated promoter of culture. I think she is a fat fake.
But I understand that if she put on what I like she would starve to death or be on at midnight like Charllie Rose.
Sometimes the lack of polish is what attracts the customers. They are customers. They are paying their money and entitled to buy what they like.
Johnson ain't no saint. He ain't giving nothing away. He's just mad because nobody is reading him, buyin ghis books. That's the game. He should resign himself. Get himself a nice teaching position somewhere.
I might not like it but that's on me. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6436
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 01:09 pm: |
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I found this to be a very worthwhile article. We need writers with the integrity of the author to balance the shock and awe of the flash-in-the-pan self-published formulaic authors who bog down black fiction with their "authentic" street fiction. |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 267
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 03:00 pm: |
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While the article does have its points, it doesn't address the success non-street lit authors have had through self-publishing by publishing on their own, receiving literary accolades, and even signing book deals with traditional publishers. Those that come to mind are Cherlyn Michaels (First Fridays) and Cheryl Robinson (It's Like That). Isn't it true that "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" was originally a self-published title as well? |
Enchanted
Veteran Poster
Username: Enchanted
Post Number: 524
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 03:09 pm: |
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Yes it was Emanuel and a damned good book.
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Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3289
Registered: 03-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 03:39 pm: |
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Hemingway self published. Walt Whitman self published. Zane self published. Baraka self published.
Cynique--nobody is telling "writers of integrity" (a professional liar has integrity--Kafkaesque--I think he self published, too didn't he?) that they cannot publish.
They seem to not want anybody else to publish.
Screw them. If they are so hot nobody will read the self published books.
Can it be that their books stink and nobody wants to read them, having hewed too much to the lit-fic, Iowa MFA line? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6447
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 04:21 pm: |
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You're right, chrishayden. Nobody, including the author of the article, is telling anybody that they can't self-publish. Jeeze. |
Rmglaelia
First Time Poster
Username: Rmglaelia
Post Number: 3
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 11:14 pm: |
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This article by Nick Charles is entitled: "Their eyes were reading smut." Would love to see comments. Happy New Year everyone!
http://urielw.com/refs/060104.htm |
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