Why Aren't Mainstream Writing Magazines Doing More To Highlight Black Authors?
I have been putting pen to paper for most of my adult life. Because I am becoming more serious about the business of writing, I have maintained subscriptions to "Writer's Digest" and "The Writer" for over ten years. The tips and advice contained in these magazines is exceptional, but I have a problem with them.
While I give these publication partial credit for my growth as a writer, I don't feel they're doing enough to highlight black authors. I also don't think they're doing enough to diversify the group of writers that provide content for their glossy pages. If an increasing number of us Blacks are getting published, serving as literary agents and publicists even, why aren't more of our stories being told, our expertise being tapped into?
"Poets and Writers" magazine seems to be an exception to my criticism. They highlight black authors on a somewhat regular basis. A few years ago, I was blown away by an article written about Percival Everett, the author of "Erasure" and several other novels. I commend P&W for their efforts, but, again, why hasn't "Writer's Digest" and "The Writer" followed suit. It can't be because we're not knocking.
Does anyone share my concerns? If so, what can we do about it? I know we have "Black Issues Book Review", the "Mosaic Literary Review", and the "African American Literary Book Club", to name only a few, but they were established to counteract this problem. Truth be told, I think we black authors do ourselves a disservice by not respectfully questioning these two industry giants about their ongoing marginalization of black authors. They need to include a little more color in their tapestry, don't you think?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this matter.
Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
www.jefferyafaulkerson.com
While I give these publication partial credit for my growth as a writer, I don't feel they're doing enough to highlight black authors. I also don't think they're doing enough to diversify the group of writers that provide content for their glossy pages. If an increasing number of us Blacks are getting published, serving as literary agents and publicists even, why aren't more of our stories being told, our expertise being tapped into?
"Poets and Writers" magazine seems to be an exception to my criticism. They highlight black authors on a somewhat regular basis. A few years ago, I was blown away by an article written about Percival Everett, the author of "Erasure" and several other novels. I commend P&W for their efforts, but, again, why hasn't "Writer's Digest" and "The Writer" followed suit. It can't be because we're not knocking.
Does anyone share my concerns? If so, what can we do about it? I know we have "Black Issues Book Review", the "Mosaic Literary Review", and the "African American Literary Book Club", to name only a few, but they were established to counteract this problem. Truth be told, I think we black authors do ourselves a disservice by not respectfully questioning these two industry giants about their ongoing marginalization of black authors. They need to include a little more color in their tapestry, don't you think?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this matter.
Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
www.jefferyafaulkerson.com
I feel you, too. Been there for a minute and simply came to the conclusion that I did not even want to read them anymore. Is it racism? Is it that they are determined that we will never "take over" their pages like we do sports?
It becomes frustrating and I do not personally know the answer except to say that there are many alternatives for the black writer these days so we "overcame" them anyway.
Stay focused because if I had given up when I got frustrated, I would not be commenting to your post. Smile.