Diversity...
There’s a lot of talk going on since RWA announced their
finalists for the Ritas and I’m kinda sad. Sure, I didn’t final, but some
fantabulous ladies did not either and when you’re an #AOC you sometimes have to
question it.
Did they not like my book? Like, seriously, you didn’t like
it or you didn’t want to like it or didn’t want to give it a chance and so you
scored it low. Did you even read it?
And the kicker for me was … the day before the announcement,
I renewed my membership. which is half the cost of the entry fee for the
contest.
So RWA sent out a memo about inclusivity and it has sparked a lot of conversations.
I came across a well meaning woman who assumed that for the Harlequin Kimani line, she always assumed they were meant for Black people only. I am not upset with her. I recommended as many Kimani authors I could tag in my space for her to check out a few.
Seriously folks... POC fall in love the same way.
We all have the same tropes we devour.
Billionaire moguls? Athletes?
Here are two I'm reading right now
Sheryl Lister's Family Saga, Still Loving You (The Gray's of Los Angeles)
Reese Ryan's Savannah's Secret (The Bourbon Brothers)--the heroine is trying to get back what rightfully belongs to her family. And she's from West Virginia... so I'm hooked there.
Want something hilarious? Check out Phyllis Bourne and her latest book, Feud.
That's just a couple... but there are so many out there. Please don't confuse what the brick-and-mortar folks put on the shelves. It seems like who ever puts books out places all the people of the same hue on the same shelf and/or section. If the word THUG, HOE, MISTRESS, is in the title, it is not the kind of romance you're used to reading. It is not the romance I write.
I am still sad about the closing of Kimani. I submitted something to my dream line, Presents. I still haven't heard anything. They just put out a statement about being sincere about a diverse representation.
I'm sorry this post isn't the usual bubbly self. I am just so disheartened by what's going on in romancelandia.
What's the last book you read by an Author of Color?
. The Bachelor and the Beauty Queen -
📘 1amzn.to/2scNncjHis Southern Sweetheart -
📙 2-http://amzn.to/2bqYaVbThe Beauty and the CEO -
📒 3-http://amzn.to/2d4L9E8A Tiara Under the Tree -
📗 4- amzn.to/2riM3PMTempting the Beauty Queen -
📒 5-http://amzn.to/2yF0HbR
PS.. you don't have to be a beauty queen to read these!
I had hoped Kimani closing meant Harlequin was bringing POC books into mainstream as finally has been done on Hallmark's channel. I'm sending you my go-to phrase, "Don't let turkeys get you down". I have been slightly depressed lately that the first of my new trilogy isn't being received as well as I'd hoped. Reviews are all 5 stars, but not that many people are buying the book. I have never been a person who enjoys going to casinos or gambling, but being an author is a roll of the dice. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but you don't give up! Take heart--you know you're a good writer, so keep going.
ReplyDeleteI ran into a similar situation when I entered my first book, which had won several reader awards and had a boatload of 5-star reviews. There was a decided bias against small press books in short contemporary. Scores were mostly in the 2 to 5 range, with one 9. I've never bothered to waste my money entering again, and I fully understand your frustration. Caroline is right--keep at it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Caroline. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for recommending Savannah's Secrets. Wishing you much success on your Presents proposal. I know that your fabulous stories will find a home. Sending hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys!
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