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Old 08-02-2004, 01:35 PM
Steeltrap Steeltrap is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by LADY_1908
While I'm glad that these self-published authors are getting read, I don't want this "Urban Fiction" to define us because after all if that's all people see in the bookstore then once again we are portrayed as ghetto, gangsta etc.

I'm not a prude but some of these book covers look like straight porn with booties and breasts rght up in your face. Is it really necessary to portray us as pimps and hoes?

Will booksellers cease to promote artists like J. California Cooper in favor of the "new breed" of authors?

I remember the whole "Waiting to Exhale" phenomena where every other book was a "girlfriend" story. I just want to see some balance.

PS....Don't even get me started on African American theatre vs. Mama Plays
I do agree with not being defined by the "urban fiction" that you describe, Soror, but the bottom line is that publishing houses, bookstore chains, are capitalists.

If urban fiction, girlfriend books, black chick-lit, etc., sell, you're going to see heavy promotion of such authors. I don't have a problem with black chick-lit. I like light reading, but I see your point about having more literary authors.
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