Sunday, February 18, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
Friday, February 09, 2007
Stepping Up The Game
It is a known fact(to us at least) that there is a racial disparity in the publishing industry. Many Black writers have complained about book segregation in book stores, lack of review site support, etc. I won't bother to go into detail, because WE already know the deal.
Knowing how rare it is for more "mainstream" review sites/blogs to take the time to review Black writers, nothing hurts my heart more than to see a poor review. See, every time they give us (I say us because when it comes to Blacks, we always serve as a representation of the entire race) it justifies their reluctance to review our work.
How many times have we heard a non-black reader claim that they don't read OUR books because they find them inferior? How many times have we heard Black readers make the same claim? It makes no sense to generalize all our work by one or two, since we all can think of several non-black writers that produce nothing but crap (I won't call names but everybody know). Unfortunately we have to prove our books' worth.
WE NEED TO STEP OUR GAME UP!
We need to stop sending out this poorly edited crap and calling in gold. I know, I know, WE don't get good editors. Well Honey, God helps those that help themselves. Invest in a dictionary and thesaurus, then USE THEM. If your writing still needs help, get an editor. You don't have to invest in those con artist editors, go to a local college and find some English majors. It's amazing the work you can get for $50 bucks. Stop depending on the Company editors, I'm sure they will appreciate the effort put behind your work.
Then we come back to the issue of lack of reviews. First of all, STOP GRIPING about "mainstream" review sites not reviewing you work if you haven't submitted any books. Stop jumping the gun. Don't give me that "I only get a limited number of copies". Pardon me, I know I don't have a publishing credit under my belt and all, but I believe that holds true for ALL authors, Black; White; Plaid with purple polka dots. This is a business which means you are going to have to invest in your BUSINESS. Ever hear the saying "It takes money to make money"? They don't say it just cause it sounds catchy. Buy some extra copies of your book and send them out (it's a tax write-off anyway). You don't have to keep sending to that particular review site if they keep refusing your work. Point is, stop accusing people of "hidden racism" if you haven't given them a fair chance. Now if they act a fool with you, that's a different story.
I'm not saying there isn't racism in the publishing industry. Heck, racism can be found any and everywhere if you look hard enough for it. We need to stop playing victim and take charge of our destiny. Work harder, smarter, produce the best darn book we can. Prove to the "mainstream readers" that Our books are just as good if not better than mainstream. Break down those barriers one at a time. But we can't until We make conscious decision to STEP OUR GAME UP.
Knowing how rare it is for more "mainstream" review sites/blogs to take the time to review Black writers, nothing hurts my heart more than to see a poor review. See, every time they give us (I say us because when it comes to Blacks, we always serve as a representation of the entire race) it justifies their reluctance to review our work.
How many times have we heard a non-black reader claim that they don't read OUR books because they find them inferior? How many times have we heard Black readers make the same claim? It makes no sense to generalize all our work by one or two, since we all can think of several non-black writers that produce nothing but crap (I won't call names but everybody know). Unfortunately we have to prove our books' worth.
WE NEED TO STEP OUR GAME UP!
We need to stop sending out this poorly edited crap and calling in gold. I know, I know, WE don't get good editors. Well Honey, God helps those that help themselves. Invest in a dictionary and thesaurus, then USE THEM. If your writing still needs help, get an editor. You don't have to invest in those con artist editors, go to a local college and find some English majors. It's amazing the work you can get for $50 bucks. Stop depending on the Company editors, I'm sure they will appreciate the effort put behind your work.
Then we come back to the issue of lack of reviews. First of all, STOP GRIPING about "mainstream" review sites not reviewing you work if you haven't submitted any books. Stop jumping the gun. Don't give me that "I only get a limited number of copies". Pardon me, I know I don't have a publishing credit under my belt and all, but I believe that holds true for ALL authors, Black; White; Plaid with purple polka dots. This is a business which means you are going to have to invest in your BUSINESS. Ever hear the saying "It takes money to make money"? They don't say it just cause it sounds catchy. Buy some extra copies of your book and send them out (it's a tax write-off anyway). You don't have to keep sending to that particular review site if they keep refusing your work. Point is, stop accusing people of "hidden racism" if you haven't given them a fair chance. Now if they act a fool with you, that's a different story.
I'm not saying there isn't racism in the publishing industry. Heck, racism can be found any and everywhere if you look hard enough for it. We need to stop playing victim and take charge of our destiny. Work harder, smarter, produce the best darn book we can. Prove to the "mainstream readers" that Our books are just as good if not better than mainstream. Break down those barriers one at a time. But we can't until We make conscious decision to STEP OUR GAME UP.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Alma Mater (Not So) Dear
Last Saturday was homecoming weekend for Barber-Scotia. I didn't go, since Scotia and I did not part on good terms. Oh, I received my degree and all, we just didn't have a healthy relationship. If I were to describe my matriculation, I would compare it to living with a crack-whore mother.
Some people may call that a little harsh, but that's the nicest thing I could think of. The school was falling apart around us, literally falling apart. One of the girl's dorms, Graves Hall, was actually condemned my senior year. The student union (excuse me the college union as unofficially named by the then president) leaked and the ceiling was falling in on the upper level.
I can't even begin to describe what actual classes were like. So it was no surprise when the school lost its SACS Accreditation.
Fortunately they lost accreditation the year AFTER I graduated. Unfortunately they recalled 30 degrees from my graduating class (don't worry, I still have my worthless degree). The past 2 1/2 years have been a comedy of errors as the Alumni Association tries to keep the school going.
This year they celebrated homecoming at a school with only 8 students. I don't know if I should admire their spirit or call them crazy.
Some people may call that a little harsh, but that's the nicest thing I could think of. The school was falling apart around us, literally falling apart. One of the girl's dorms, Graves Hall, was actually condemned my senior year. The student union (excuse me the college union as unofficially named by the then president) leaked and the ceiling was falling in on the upper level.
I can't even begin to describe what actual classes were like. So it was no surprise when the school lost its SACS Accreditation.
Fortunately they lost accreditation the year AFTER I graduated. Unfortunately they recalled 30 degrees from my graduating class (don't worry, I still have my worthless degree). The past 2 1/2 years have been a comedy of errors as the Alumni Association tries to keep the school going.
This year they celebrated homecoming at a school with only 8 students. I don't know if I should admire their spirit or call them crazy.
The Mathematics of Love
Oh this just made my week. One of my favorite songs from the children's math show, Square One. Now if only I could find the "Tapping Out the Rhythm" and the "Infinity" song.
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