Customer Reviews

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

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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

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.

For any African-American writer, published or unpublished, self-published or mainstream published, this book is priceless.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.

The African American Writers Handbook : How to Get in Print and Stay in Print by Robert Fleming is the most comprehensive book on writing and being African American in the publishing industry. This book gets beyond the promoting part of being a writer. This book delves into the real issues and explores serious questions such as agents and if and when race should be an issue. This book will soon be the standard for all writing courses worldwide.

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This book is a definite must for any aspiring African American writer! For the reader, it's as if you're a fly on the wall taking part of some top-secret information. The handbook is chock full of information regarding:

1. Tips on submitting proposals, query letters, and preparing manuscripts for submission; 2. Advice on finding an agent and negotiating contracts that launch careers; 3. Interviews with top editors, agents, publishing executives, and bookstore owners; 4. Updated information on copyrights, subsidiary rights, and sales and marketing; 5. The trials and tribulations of self-publishing; and 6. The art of promoting your work and yourself to a wider audience

Not only does this book provide a comprehensive guide to the OTHER side of writing (the okay, now I got a book, what do I need to know now?), but it provides inspiration as well to the number of aspiring writers out there who might feel they will never understand anything beyond the writing-a-book stage... now you have a great beginning lesson to read on the entire publishing process.

If you're a true writer, and want to know about all the facets of the publishing world, this is a book you NEED to have on your shelf.

Shonell Bacon, author

The African American Writers Handbook : How to Get in Print and Stay in Print by Robert Fleming is the most comprehensive book on writing and being African American in the publishing industry. This book gets beyond the promoting part of being a writer. This book delves into the real issues and explores serious questions such as agents and if and when race should be an issue. This book will soon be the standard for all writing courses worldwide.

Mr. Fleming captures everything an author (especially self-published authors) needs to know to promote his/her book. He list bookstore throughout the US, hints for getting "picked up" by traditional publishers, and useful marketing information.

This book should be in the personal reference library of every author.

Robert Fleming has written an excellent beginners guide to publishing for novice writers. If I were teaching a creative writing or Afro American literature class this would most certainly be one of my text books. If you are a more experienced writer this purely introductory book won't be much concrete help toy your career but it is a worthy addition to any writers reference collection.

Aspiring African-American writers will find this book an invaluable resource in breaking into the world of publishing. Written with a no nonsense approach, Robert Fleming gives the reader fundamental information concerning the publishing business that every writer should know. He insists that you do your research and homework about the publishing field and your market before an article or perspective novel is sent out. You must know the rules of the game before you can play.

Yes, the book is for serious writers who want to get published. Follow his guidelines and you will make it happen. Included in the text are profiles regarding African-American writers in the past who made a comfortable living in their field. You receive from them their thoughts regarding the industry and just being a writer. Fleming also tells you what fields and genres Blacks have written in which they have been promoted by the mainstream publishing houses. All fictional genres and poetry are open wide for Black talent.

This book is highly informative, entertaining and realistic in presenting to the reader the obstacles that they must overcome in order to become published. Its mood is very optimistic and there isn't any doubt that you can get in print if you do your homework, work hard, have a hard skin and keep on perservering. The only fault that I find with the book is its failure to deal with non-fiction opportunities and the absence of Black writers in the horror and action fiction genres. Other than those absent fields I would say this book is great. It is a must to have as a resource in your library.

I just received my copy of this book after having learned about it in a recent issue of Essence magazine. How timely and appropriate this is for me, with the release of my self-published young reader book ("You're Too Much, Reggie Brown") just weeks away! I've been implementing several of these strategies on a small scale, but this book helps me see where I can step up my efforts to make a success of this title!

Highly recommended to anyone who is trying to get into print!