We might not comment, but we notice and who’s on the Internet?
A couple of recent posts on Blogging in Black about how much to post on blogs publicly and when to keep our mouths shut in light of the aftermath of recent juicy Romanceland Brouhahas.
I also see how word is out about your first book in Romanceland, Roz. You got more reviews on it on romance sites and blogs than I notice many a black romance veteran has. Just based on a few frank comments.
But our readers are still the best, most loyal and most supportive, bar none. Wish we could clone them all, LOL!
Most readers, especially our readers, aren’t on the Internet. But a talkative group of loyal readers are here, and they’re readily reachable.
This is how buzz can be born. You catch on with a few with your book and the word spreads to the others who might not be online much, just at the office or checking their e-mail occasionally.
Zane’s site has always got many readers. Sex is a sure draw. Problem is it doesn’t work at the office, where many of our readers check their sites and e-mail. With our readers, the black reader sites are best to hit and you need to be very topical and interesting to them specifically. Sylvia Hubbard has some good blogs too.
The majority romance community has half share of the market of ALL books. It’s absolutely huge. A tiny buzz with them could make a huge mark in sales.
But with most of those online readers, black authors don’t cross their radar. They need to know who you are personally to bother to notice your book or particularly to review you, unlike a white romance author who merely having their (decent) book out there is enough to be noticed and reviewed.
So I think Internet marketing is worth it. Internet marketing is tricky because so much of it is damn annoying (think spam). Promo blasts are going to annoy as many or more than they inform. Promo posts also are less effective.
That said, I’m burying a contest notice in here. Want a copy of CREEPIN’? Write me and tell me how author Internet presence and promotion works best for you.
Posted in Racifying Genre Fiction |
June 21st, 2007 at 10:09 am
Our readers are phenomenal, I’m blown away by their loyalty.
BTW, I’ve bought Creepin,’ but I’m too damned scared to read it. Why the hell can’t y’all write some nice, non-scary stories?
June 21st, 2007 at 11:13 am
“But with most of those online readers, black authors don’t cross their radar. They need to know who you are personally to bother to notice your book or particularly to review you, unlike a white romance author who merely having their (decent) book out there is enough to be noticed and reviewed.”
Ugh. I put up 2 reviews of AA books yesterday, and compared to the total number of visitors, hardly anyone clicked on them. Must be the cover that put off people. I’m going to review the Kimani releases of this and last month in the next few days, so I’m expecting a huge drop in traffic as well. Sigh.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Roz, check out my mystery, LOL!
Ms. Giggles, that’s a shame. I don’t know what black romance authors can do about it. It’s sheer bigotry, because we do write romance and they are romance readers, but they either deny it or don’t care and get angry when confronted.
I think the worst shame is how RWA as an organization will take our money and then ignore our serious issues of exclusion as black romance authors. Black elected board members seem to be powerless in the face of such bigotry and racism. You simply can’t bring it up without huge consequences. Every other sub-genre of romance has a RITA category to be recognized for excellence except for us. Those who say we are a part of the greater romance genre and should be included on categories with the other romances are only kidding themselves. We’re the most strictly segregated legit sub-genre there is. No way those prejudiced authors are going to regard us the same as nonblacks.
And RWA is just fine with that. Heffas will not see another penny of my money.
P.S. I joined NINC, mainly to see, but it’s a nonissue there too, and the authors-in-racism-denial would have a shitfit if the issue was ever raised. As soon as I joined I saw in power there an author who treated me quite differently from another because of my race before I was published (quite a while ago, but it was obvious–she might have not liked my work, but I deserved the same respect as any other writer. I got to sit there, dissed, dismissed and ignored, despite having paid the same money, to listen while she raved about the white author’s work–the work I offered was Midnight Blue which was since published, earned out well, and had a TV movie made about it–might not have been her cuppa, but it didn’t deserve the disrespect the white RITA judge and now org bigshit gave to it–I know it wouldn’t have been treated the same way if I were white). I was powerless to say a word. Blacks just have to shut up and take it and they expect it that way. See how mad the racists get when the subject is brought up by a black person?
The racists-in-denial can’t get that it feels to me as if I’m in a org whose administration includes a KKK or Nazi party member. In fact the KKK or Nazi member would be preferable ’cause they wear white sheets and swastikas so I can avoid them. I wouldn’t pay money to be critiqued or judged by a KKK member. Those racist romance heifers would keel over and die if labeled what they are or before they’d admit it. And there’s no way you can tell in advance or confront them with their bigotry. If I named that racist bitch, there’d be hell to pay–by me, not her.
Let erotica or any other sub-genre be treated as dismissively they treat us and see the flames roar. Racist heffas.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:35 pm
I’m thankful for my loyal readers.
I try to visit most of the sites that review romance books. A lot of my core audience don’t frequent the sites. I think one reason is because there aren’t that many of the AA books on some of the romance sites. I have been featured or reviewed on various romance sites and will continue to reach out to various ones. I hope that the sites do become more diverse so that the traffic can include all demographics.
I won’t let “lack of AA books” stop me from doing my thing; however, I have to be realistic and go where my readers are. I’m glad for BIB. It gives us a voice to share our concerns with peers that look like us…go through the same things we go through and also who may have solutions or at least a kind word to share to help encourage us as we face the challenges of being treated like a step-child.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I just read somewhere that blacks make up 11.3% of people online, second to Latinos, but perhaps it is mostly made up of the 18-34 age demographic–when the average age demographic of a romance reader is 35-55 (and white).
I visit the black gossip blogs like YBF, Bossip, Sandra Rose, and the like, and they gets tons of traffic. So perhaps the lack of web presence for your readers isn’t that blacks aren’t online, but that blacks in the average romance reader demographic aren’t online. Those black gossip blogs I go to sell ad space (and I’ve seen a few books advertised). Perhaps black authors should look into tapping into that growing percentage of young black people online who are receptive to good books.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I must say there’s a large web presence for interracial romances. There are at least two sites and they seem to get considerable traffic.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Hey Angela, could you send me a list of those sites privately? I’d appreciate it.
Roz, you too. Have they noticed Mr. Right Now? It’s IR and hot.
June 21st, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Hey Roz, I can’t EVER link to your blog articles, or even your blog. I hate it! I’d link to your one on rap in a hot second. Give me the real url!
June 22nd, 2007 at 11:19 am
Angela that’s a great idea. I know of YBF and that site does get a lot of traffic. I’ve watched it blossom over the past few years. YBF also links to other sites so I’ll check out those sites as well. Good looking out