The African American Writer's Handbook: How to Get in Print and Stay in Print [Paperback]

Robert Fleming (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2000

With African Americans writing and buying books in record numbers, the time is ripe for a comprehensive publishing guide tailored expressly to the needs of this vibrant, creative community. The African American Writers Handbook meets this challenge perfectly. Written by veteran journalist and published author Robert Fleming, this book gives writers the heart, the determination, and above all the crucial information to publish successfully in this highly competitive field. Knowing the inner workings of the publishing industry provides any writer, novice or veteran, with a much needed advantage in the quest to get into print. Inside you'll find

- A complete, step-by-step guide to every aspect of the publishing process, from the germination of a winning idea to the nuts and bolts of book production
- Tips on submitting proposals, query letters, and preparing manuscripts for submission
- Advice on negotiating contracts that extend careers
- How to use on-line resources for research and profit
- Interviews with top editors, agents, publishing executives, and bookstore owners
- Updated information on copyrights, subsidiary rights, sales and marketing
- The trials and triumphs of self-publishing
- The art of promoting your work and yourself to a wider audience
- An insider's look at the economic realities of the book business
- And much more!

Here, too, are scores of inspiring interviews and capsule biographies of leading African American writers both past and present. How did Richard Wright become America's first bestselling black writer? How did Zora Neale Hurston break through the artistic boundaries of the Harlem Renaissance long after her death? What was Toni Cade Bambara doing before she sold her first book? Why should Ann Petry, William Gardner Smith, Nella Larson, and William Melvin Kelley be revered wherever African American literature is read? Blending practical information and fascinating anecdotes with a mini literary history of African American writing, this upbeat, savvy, essential guide is a publishing primer with soul.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The subtitle to The African American Writers Handbook: How to Get in Print and Stay in Print is misleading. Yes, there are chapters on writing queries and synopses, finding agents, dealing with editors, and promoting one's work. But plenty of books cover the same ground with greater depth and clarity. It is when author Robert Fleming turns his attention to the experience of the African American in the "almost lily-white" world of publishing that his book comes into its own. Should an African American author choose an agent based on racial solidarity? How does having a white (or black) editor affect the quality of the author's work? What kinds of inroads are black writers making in genre writing?

There is a kitchen-sink feeling to The African American Writers Handbook, which is published by Ballantine's multicultural One World imprint. A chapter on self-publishing is followed by one on tax tips; a list of authors and their day jobs comes directly after a section on award-winning black-authored books. Fleming's accounts of African American publishing history and his profiles of African American writers somehow lack the drama of their compelling subjects. Still, despite its lack of coherence and its workmanlike prose, this handbook is full of information that African American (and, for that matter, non-African American) writers will want to know. There are profiles of authors, lists of classic works, interviews with small-press African American publishers, discussions about African American distributors and bookstores, and a generous smattering of anecdotes about black authors. Despite the inherent difficulties, "there has never been a better time for African American writers in the history of American publishing," says Fleming. Maybe so. But it is tough indeed to ignore the words of novelist John Oliver Killens (Youngblood), quoted here: "Writing was the damnedest, hardest, and loneliest buck a man could make, especially if that man was black." --Jane Steinberg

From Publishers Weekly

With publishing house conglomeration, bestsellers and the bottom line occupying agents, editors and others who used to have more time to shepherd writers through the publication process, handbooks increasingly fill the gaps. In one of the first targeted specifically to the burgeoning numbers of African-American writers, Fleming provides not only basic information but also the historical context surrounding the publication of books by black authors, profiles and interviews with writers and industry veterans, and genre specifications. During the 1990s, African-American publishing shifted from an emphasis on literary fiction and nonfiction to commercial fiction (e.g., Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale) and inspirational nonfiction (e.g., Iyanla Vanzant's spiritual self-improvement books). Journalist, critic and author Fleming (Wisdom of the Elders) succeeds in his goal of arming new writers with tips about effective query letters and proposals, dealing with agents and editors (including working with black and white professionals), self-publishing and electronic rights. Ranging capably over a wide field, he gives advice about self-promotion that will educate even a seasoned author, although he doesn't clearly discuss how to work with a public relations consultant, nor does he mention independent editors as an option for writers in need of extra attention. Surprisingly, he refers to the Internet mainly as a research tool, giving less attention to its potential as a vehicle for publicity or electronic publication. Despite these quibbles, the rich context and down-to-earth advice he brings to the publication of books by black authors is well worth the price of this comprehensive guide. Agent, Victoria Sanders. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine; 1 edition (April 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345423275
• ISBN-13: 978-0345423276
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,643,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Aspiring Writers & Readers, November 4, 2000

By 

Vannie Ryanes "Vannie Ryanes/VSR Book Review" (South Orange, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The African American Writer's Handbook: How to Get in Print and Stay in Print (Paperback)

The African American Writer's Handbook is an excellent writer's source, even for me and I am not an aspiring writer. I cannot believe how much information there is in this small book for writer's and reader's as well. Mr. Fleming shares his vast knowledge with the reader. His excellent Writer's Resource section alone is worth more than the cost of the book. Mr. Fleming has removed weeks maybe months of research legwork and has put everything one needs to know to get started in the world of writing in less than 400 pages.This book is a very necessary tool for all would be authors. It also gave me a diffferent view of and a brand new respect for my favorite authors for their hard work and dedication to their craft.Why would anyone not interested in writing buy this book? Because it gives you insight into the whole genre of writing. Because you get a chance to read interviews with editors and author profiles. You also get URL's to websites, a list of AA booksellers with addressses, telephone and fax numbers and much more.I so recommend this book.Vannie

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY WRITER, June 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The African American Writer's Handbook: How to Get in Print and Stay in Print (Paperback)

The wealth of information contained in the African American Writers Handbook is indespensible, not only as a tool, but as a resource of tidbits and anecdotes never found in books of this sort. Handbooks are not generally meant to be entertaining, but merely informative and instructional. This book masters all. I truly ENJOYED reading it and discovering the fascinating stories behind the lives of many legendary black writers. Do not be fooled by the name. This handbook is for any writer with a desire to enhance their craft and gain insight into the lives of writers who have brightened the literary world. Mr. Fleming did a marvelous job. I would recommend this book to anyone who is serious about writing or simply wants a great read! A definite keeper.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerhouse of Information!, May 18, 2001

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The African American Writer's Handbook: How to Get in Print and Stay in Print (Paperback)

For any African-American writer, published or unpublished, self-published or mainstream published, this book is priceless. It is a powerhouse of information that any writer can benefit from. From tips on writing and submitting book proposals, query letters, and manuscripts to advice on locating and obtaining an agent to interviews with some of the top people in the business, you can walk away with a ton of knowledge that will help you push your writing career forward.

The AA Writers Handbook can save you dozens of hours of research because everything you need to know is comprised in this one gem of a book. While there are a ton of writing handbooks, it is a breath of fresh air to see one completely dedicated to the plight of AA authors. This book should definitely be included on the reference shelf of any writer serious about their craft.