The rising market trend for African American authors began in the 60’s with the civil rights movements but the impact of African American authors was felt before America was a nation when published black writers were slaves and abolitionists.
First to make a name was Phillis Wheatley, brought from Africa as a child and sold in Boston to the Wheatleys. She spoke no English upon arrival but under the tutelage of her owners mastered the language and as a bound slave she published Poems on Various Subjects in 1773, nearly 100 years passed before another major work of African American Literature was published in 1845. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. The book was published after Douglas escaped slavery for the second time. Shortly thereafter the American Civil War began, ushering in new educational freedom for African Americans.
At the turn of the 20th century, African American book clubs were formed and a new black culture where books were shared in the informal book clubs. There was a debate between Booker T Washington and W.E.B. DuBois on how African Americans can better themselves.
At the turn of the 21st century, another kind of change to the publishing world from every age including child targeted to adult eBooks, ingenuous metaphors on culture and race identity. When it comes to certain markets the Internet has changed publishing for African Americans. There has been a journey from African American book clubs to eBooks. Review history for the impact of this.
Advances in education in the 20th century led to cultural awareness across the black community in America. Early African American Literature was usually political or spiritual in nature because these authors were abolitionists and slaves. However poetry from Phyllis Wheatley was the first published book by an African American.
In this difficult economy the African American eBook niche market is still thriving. This is due to the fact African American authors who are looking to be published are searching the Internet black eBook industry.
Any search shows that poets, fiction, novels, advice, history and adult eBooks are plentiful which means African American Literature is not just a book case in your local library.
