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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 460
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 01:03 am: | 
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Do you think Essence did a good job with this list of nominees?
FICTION
Red River by Lalita Tademy/Grand Central Publishing
Casanegra by Blair Underwood, Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due/Atria
The Pirate’s Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson/Unbridled Books
New England White by Stephen L. Carter/Knopf
Knots by Nuruddin Farah/Riverhead
MEMOIR
Brother, I’m Dying by Edwidge Danticat/Knopf
The Women Who Raised Me by Victoria Rowell/William Morrow
Alek by Alek Wek/Amistad
One Drop by Bliss Broyard/Little, Brown and Co.
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah/Farrar, Straus and Giroux
INSPIRATION
Reposition Yourself by TD Jakes/Atria
From the Heart by Robin Roberts/Hyperion
Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy/Tyndale
Do You! by Russell Simmons/Penguin
How Strong Women Pray by Bonnie St. John/Faith Words
NONFICTION
The Bond by Sampson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck Hunt/Riverhead
Friends: A Love Story by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance/Harlequin
I Got Your Back by Eddie and Gerald Levert/Harlem Moon
Foreigners by Caryl Phillips/Knopf
Supreme Discomfort by Michael Fletcher and Kevin Merida/Doubleday
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Come on People by Bill Cosby/Thomas Nelson
The Covenant in Action by Tavis Smiley/Smiley Books
An Unbroken Agony by Randall Robinson/Basic Civitas
Know What I Mean? By Michael Eric Dyson/Perseus Books Group
Twice As Good by Marcus Mabry/Modern Times
PHOTOGRAPHY
Daufuskie Island by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe/University of South Carolina Press
Pop by Carol Ross/Stewart, Tabori & Chang
Jimi Hendrix by Janie Hendrix/Atria
Let Your Motto Be Resistance edited by Deborah Willis/Smithsonian Press
Jewels by Michael Cunningham and Connie Briscoe/Little, Brown and Co.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine illustrated by Kadir Nelson/Scholastic
Sugar Cane: A Caribbean Rapunzel by Patricia Storace and Raul Colon/Jump at the Sun
Marvelous World by Troy Cle/Simon & Schuster’s Children’s Publishing
The Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okorafor-mbachu/Jump at the Sun
Sallie Gal and the Wall-a-Kee Man by Shelia P. Moses and Niki Daly/Scholastic
POETRY
Duende by Tracy K. Smith/Graywolf Press
Acolytes by Nikki Giovanni/William Morrow
Totem by Gregory Pardlo/American Poetry Review
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Terry McMillan
STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR
Eric Jerome Dickey
Lori Bryant-Woolridge
Trisha R. Thomas
L.A. Banks
Tananarive Due
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5992
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 10:20 am: |
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(They probably reflect the tastes of its editors pretty well--they should have included more Urban Fiction, since this is the hottest genre right now) |
Steve_s
Veteran Poster
Username: Steve_s
Post Number: 309
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 11:59 am: |
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Emanuel,
I saw this list a few days ago and I was going to e-mail the books editor, Patrik Henry Bass, but I decided not to. What's the use?
The Caryl Phillips book is up for the award in the nonfiction category, when it's obviously a fictionalized biography like his last book. I haven't read it yet, but here's the publisher's description from the front flap copy:
"...a hybrid of reportage, fiction, and historical fact..."
This is from the copyright page:
1. Barber, Frank, d. 1801 -- Fiction. 2. Turpin, Randolph -- Fiction. 3. Oluwale, David, 1930 - 1969 -- Fiction. 4. Blacks -- England -- Fiction. 5. Race relations -- Fiction. 6. Blacks -- Race identity -- Fiction. 7. England -- Fiction. I. Title
Publishers Weekly gave it a Signature Review - even better than a Starred Review - but for some reason it appears that they've put it in the SF/fantasy/horror category (which is just as silly). Scroll all the way down:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6476366.html
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10987
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 12:57 pm: |
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Well, there's certainly something for everyone on this list. I know chrishayden's bowels are loose because "New England White" by Stephen Carter and "Come On, People," by Bill Cosby made it. |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 461
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2007 - 05:16 pm: |
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I guess they're shooting for more of a high brow/celebrity audience considering the titles and the inclusion of so many actors/actresses authors. My reading activities dropped way off in 2007. I haven't read a single title on this list due to other obligations, even though I had A Long Way Gone in my hands from the library. So it's difficult for me to say who should or should not be on the list. I hear EJD really did his 'thang' with his latest series though.
BTW, I haven't heard specifically how the nominees were selected. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 6007
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 31, 2007 - 10:45 am: |
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Well, there's certainly something for everyone on this list. I know chrishayden's bowels are loose because "New England White" by Stephen Carter and "Come On, People," by Bill Cosby made it.
(Nope. Esssense is owned and run by white people and stopped being black long ago. The only thing that surprises me is that the book by Clarence Thomas wasn't nominated in all categories.) |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10996
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 31, 2007 - 12:21 pm: |
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Who subscribes to Esssence Magazine, chrishayden? Who appears in its ads? Who are the stories and articles by and about? Black women. Not white ones. Now the fact that these women do not conform to your personal idea of what "blackness" is, means absolutely nothing. And if a book you wrote had been nominated, you'd be singing a whole new song. |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1011
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2008 - 12:18 pm: |
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Steve_s, you should email the editor – nothing is perfect and Patrick may appreciate the correction. Admittedly they are not likely to change anything now, but this may prompt a tightening up of the process for next year.
I'm always glad when someone takes the time points out a problem or provide feedback for AALBC.com -- While I don't have the time to reply to everything I get I still do read it all and take action, if appropriate or possible.
Emanuel, I just got off the phone with someone who said the list was developed by vote. However I see no evidence of this; and the list does not read like a one chosen by the masses.
You can however vote for story teller of the year: http://www.essence.com/essence/literaryawards/ This list too ignores the “Urban” author;
L.A. Banks
Lori-Bryant Woolridge
Eric Jerome Dickey
Tananarive Due
Trisha R. Thomas
I think this is a mistake; considering how “urban” title dominate even Essence’s bestsellers lists.
While Chrishayden often resorts to hyperbole; you can’t ignore the fact that Essence magazine is not Black owned – despite the target audience of the magazine. Does this mean the impact is positive or negative? All things considered, I do not know. However, I do know that the impact is not neutral.
I’m sure Time Inc’s, Essence Literary Awards will be a terrific event. There is no list that will make everyone happy. Despite the implication, the celebration of a specific set of authors does not come at the expense of other authors.
Of course there are many terrific authors and titles not listed. One awards ceremony can not be expected to capture them all.
Besides there are other literary awards shows: http://events.aalbc.com/2007aalas.htm
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 6027
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2008 - 02:22 pm: |
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Esssense is owned and run by white people and stopped being black long ago. The only thing that surprises me is that the book by Clarence Thomas wasn't nominated in all categories.) |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 11019
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2008 - 03:40 pm: |
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You might get a clue from this magazine's name. Essence: What does this word mean. This is one definition of it: the individual, real, or ultimate nature of a thing especially as opposed to its existence c : the properties or attributes by means of which something can be placed in its proper class or identified as being what it is.
"Essence" is a slick, maintream, black woman's magazine in the vein of "Ladies Home Journal", "Good Housekeeping or "Cosmopolitan". It's not a political organ or a newsmagazine. Ebony is owned and published by Blacks and it caters to the same demograph as Essence. If there wasn't an audience for these magazines, then they wouldn't still be in business. Just because they are not the cup of tea of the people who bad-mouth them, only proves that these detractors are looking in the wrong place for what they are seeking. I've never understood why some folks get so up-in-arms about these 2 publications. |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1012
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 01:59 pm: |
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An author forwarded this to me moments ago.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/index.asp?layout=talkbackCommentsFull&talk_back_ header_id=6494653&articleid=CA6511386#89608
The feedback is interesting.
Apparently Essence did allow Story Teller of The Year to be open to a vote with an option to write in.
Though this does not explain how Mosely, Zane and other popular story tellers are absent -- Even the universally acclaimed Junot Diaz is http://www.aalbc.com/authors/junot_diaz.htm so the "snubbing" is not limited to self published authors.
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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 467
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 02:32 pm: |
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A few comments: Whoever wrote that article spelled receive incorrectly. (Who remembers i before e except after c?) I like that they used the word largesse. Cool word. Heard it on "Akeelah and the Bee." Also, only 38 years of African-American writing?
I don't think you can have an awards ceremony without someone being snubbed but come on. Zane, Terri Woods, and Tyler Perry blazed the New York Times bestseller list in '07. And street has been dominating. This must be a pinkies-out type of tea party.
Well, if the ceremony is in New York, I know you will be there taking photos Troy. |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2038
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 03:09 pm: |
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Who remembers i before e except after c
...and in sounds like "neigbor and weigh" don't forget that. HAHAHHAHAHA! |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1013
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 03:53 pm: |
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Emamuel, interesting points.
I can't take photos if I have not been invited to attend. I just today inquired about an invite. You'll know if I get one. I don't go the "press" route 'cause I like to also enjoy these types of events too.
Perhaps the "tea party" you describe is a consequence of Time Warner ownership?
Susan Taylor recently annouced her departure from Essence: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/business/media/28mag.html?ex=1199941200&en=93b 4f6f470562531&ei=5070&emc=eta1
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Jmho
Veteran Poster
Username: Jmho
Post Number: 318
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 05:25 pm: |
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Troy wrote:
Emanuel, I just got off the phone with someone who said the list was developed by vote. However I see no evidence of this; and the list does not read like a one chosen by the masses.
The Storyteller Of The Year list was from a poll at their site. They had many other authors listed, who published books in 2007. When I viewed at the results, it looked very slanted or suspect. Like the leading vote getter had just sat at their computer and voted many times over.
And, given the number of books published, and only 5 nominees, per category, there were going to be a LOT of authors left off and not make the cut.
Troy wrote:
I think this is a mistake; considering how “urban” title dominate even Essence’s bestsellers lists.
Their bestsellers list is from reporting stores, across the US, and not a list that the magazine comprise themselves. And, it appears, looking at nominees, in all the categories, that book sales were not a major factor.
Another interesting note, I've never heard these complaints about the Hurston/Wright nominations and winners. |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1014
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 06:07 pm: |
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JMHO there will of course be far more commentary about Essence (boasting 6MM subscribers) than a relatively obscure not for profit institution like Hurston/Wright. Why would this be surprising?
To clarify, my mistake comment really has to do with the lack of representation of entire segment of literature, a segment that in many ways is driving the industry.
I was critiquing not “complaining”. As I said, I think the awards ceremony will be a terrific event and I hope to attend and take photos. The event is a good thing.
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Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1016
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 09:47 pm: |
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...that is 1.1 million subscribers to Essence(not 6.6 mil as I mentioned in my last post) from the PW article. Which someone just forwarded to me again and I re-read. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 611
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2008 - 06:15 am: |
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Troy, I'm shocked you'd consider the H/W Foundation Awards as "relatively obscure". Do you know all winners receive a trophy and a $10,000 cash prize. Plus, the H/W Legacy Awards is the ONLY national literary award that focuses on "writers of African descent". The H/W Legacy Award is the most prestigious Black literary award in the country. And the foundation is unpretentious. They even allow self-pubbed Black authors to submit their books for consideration.
The H/W Foundation and the Before Columbus Foundation (American Book Award) are two of my most favorite literary awards because they really focus on the merit of the work. They're not popularity contests nor do they concern themselves with industry politics a la the National Book Awards.
I attended the H/W Legacy Awards ceremony last year around late Oct/ early Nov, I can't remember, but tickets were reasonable (about 100 bucks). I had a fabulous time and, God willing, I'm going back again this year. The H/W Foundation is young, less than ten years old, but they're doing great things and making great strides and are a necessary canon for the Black literary/publishing community. So you be nice to them!  |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1018
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2008 - 10:20 am: |
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Urban_scribe, regarding the relative obscurity of H/W I'm not refering to your perspective or mine. I'm talking about the average person's -- even the average person who visits this site or reads a book regularly. They have a much greater familliarity with Essence than they do H/W.
This should go without saying, but I'll write it anyway: I'm not taking anything away from H/W. In fact, I think H/W is an important foundation which I've promoted on the site many times. I've even promoted the founder Marita Golden, not for money, but because I think H/W is an imporant institution http://www.aalbc.com/authors/marita.htm
Urban_scribe, your influence would be more approriately directed toward asking H/W to be nicer to AALBC.com than the other way around  .
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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 472
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2008 - 10:47 am: |
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If the Essence Literary Awards are not based on sales but on what the editors feel are worthy books, certain exclusions would make sense. They are clearly targeting a high brow audience. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 612
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2008 - 11:19 am: |
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Troy, I feel ya! |
Enchanted
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Enchanted
Post Number: 1108
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2008 - 04:25 pm: |
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the Essence list is 10 time bettr than the Open Book Awards an others awards Ive seen this is good list GO ALEK! |
Jmho
Veteran Poster
Username: Jmho
Post Number: 319
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2008 - 04:36 pm: |
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Troy wrote:
JMHO there will of course be far more commentary about Essence (boasting 6MM subscribers) than a relatively obscure not for profit institution like Hurston/Wright. Why would this be surprising?
When I viewed the poll results, about 4 or 5 weeks ago, there were just over 2,200 responses, so compared to their number of subscribers, it's almost negligible. The leading vote getter had 32%, and the second place holder had 28%, both of which were not Dickey, Zane or Mosley.
This is Essence's first year. Maybe all this complaining, or criticism, if you like that word better, may have an impact, on the next go round. Only time will tell. Though I hope not, because if so, then it will just be another popularity literature contest.
Troy wrote:
To clarify, my mistake comment really has to do with the lack of representation of entire segment of literature, a segment that in many ways is driving the industry.
You may think it's a mistake, but it's obvious, based on the nominees and winners, the Essence Lit Award and Hurston/Wright purposely excluded that segment. Both seem to not just be concerned about sales, but more about the work itself. Now the Hurston/Wright have included self-pubbed and more commercial fiction books, but still folks weren't talking about boycotting and such because their book or the books they favor or books that sold more copies were overlooked or not included. Or maybe Ms Golden and company have received e-mails complaining about books that were not included.
Besides, if you read the book section of Essence, many references of the 'segment that in many ways is driving the industry' are mostly on the bestsellers list. Many of the featured authors and books, in the magazine, aren't in that segment. So maybe their nominations are more representative than not, of their book section, which makes a lot of sense. |
Enchanted
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Enchanted
Post Number: 1110
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2008 - 07:51 pm: |
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like anyting else publishers and publicsts send gifts 'n money to editors of magazines lak Essence Black Issue an others it will alway be politics and deep pockets but you cannot buy Hurston/Wright the easist "nominatin" to BUY is Naacp Image award if your rich but you cant buy the vote they pick they 'network of friends' suggestin an last up "fame" can get you on list |
Wfcooper
Newbie Poster
Username: Wfcooper
Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2008 - 09:25 pm: |
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Oh don't tell me about Buying Nominations for the NAACP Image Awards... I'm on the freakin' finalist Master list. The nominations are announced Tuesday. Wow, what a blow to a quality story. - from what I was told, they judge on the quality of work. |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1020
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 11:17 am: |
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When one solicits votes for authors then ranks those authors based upon the number of votes received; that is, by definition, a popularity contest.
So even Essence is also interested in what is popular, at least to some extent.
JMHO, I have no insight into Essence's methodology, but from what I've read on their site there was a long list of authors (I forgot the number) plus there was an opportunity to write in an author's name.
If you went to the web site and saw that two authors garnered a combined total of 60% of votes cast; then something is very fishy.
I do not believe for a minute that 60% of a sample of 2,200 people voted for 2 authors AND that those two authors were either "L.A. Banks", "Lori-Bryant Woolridge", "Tananarive Due", or "Trisha R. Thomas" (the remaining top vote getters).
I'm not taking anything away from these authors, (all are this site, a couple prominently featured). Statistically, this is virtually impossible.
I did something very similar in the late '90's http://www.aalbc.com/books/thebestauthors.htm. Here the distribution of results is more statically likely.
Essence has not exactly shied away from urban lit. I wish I had time to do some research but I recall Vicki Stringer and Nikki Turner being feature in Essence magazine articles.
Essence has a tradition of embracing all of our literature. I'm just surprised that the nominees do that reflect that tradition. Again I assert this is a mistake. I not trying to crucify Essence for it. In the content of everything else they are doing, the err is relatively minor.
Of course smart, well meaning people can disagree about this. It just emphasizes the importance of having different awards ceremonies.
Also, Essence does not corner the market on awards that we critiqued and complained about. The NAACP Images awards is a prime example.
Enchanted one of the biggest complaints about the NAACP awards is the fame factor. The “network” or who you know is always a factor in awards. But that is life… It is possible to root out bias in the selection of nominees but it is very difficult.
Wfcooper, good luck on your nomination.
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 6054
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 11:40 am: |
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Ebony is owned and published by Blacks and it caters to the same demograph as Essence. If there wasn't an audience for these magazines, then they wouldn't still be in business.
(Time for Chrishayden to take an Old Negro to school again:
Magazines get the bulk of their revenue from the ADVERTISERS these days. THEY are the ones determining content.
It is why EBONY and JET are so sorry these days, too. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 11059
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 12:43 pm: |
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. STFU, chrishayden. If people had a problem with the ad content or the bland articles in these magazines, they wouldn't continue to subscribe to or buy them. Their readers are the ones who determine the high circulation figures of Essence and Ebony. |
Wfcooper
Regular Poster
Username: Wfcooper
Post Number: 12
Registered: 12-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 07, 2008 - 07:31 pm: |
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Let's hope that the NAACP Voting Committee (of 10) believed in LOVE. That I made it this far is a miracle in itself, I'm beginning to believe.
Why am I getting that "35 homers 80 RBIS and .320 BA by midseason and still left off the All-Star Team" feeling?
Do you guys believe in Miracles? |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1037
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 07, 2008 - 08:44 pm: |
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Cynique, I hear Ebony's circulation is down. Some feel it is becauses of the changes Chris is alluding to.
We are all aware of the changes Essence has made over the years going from a we won't have white models to looking like Cosmo.
The reality is that there are plenty of Black folks upset with the changes in Essence and the same thing seems to be happening with Ebony.
I'm not trying to slam the magazines (do I have to say I subscribe to and promote both magazines on this site -- I even sell a handful of subscriptions every month).
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Wfcooper
Regular Poster
Username: Wfcooper
Post Number: 14
Registered: 12-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 07, 2008 - 10:07 pm: |
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Interesting Stuff about Ebony & Essence. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 11105
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 12:28 am: |
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Actually, circulation is down in all magazines and newspapers because more and more people are getting their information from the internet. Both of Chicago's Daily newspapers are in trouble and are cutting staffs and raising prices. It's a sign of the times. |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 481
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 12:47 am: |
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Now you know why Kirkus started Kirkus Discoveries. Ad sales and subscription sales were not cutting it. The thing about ad sales is that you need the circulation to earn top dollar. No smart advertiser is going to advertise in an unread publication. Smart advertisers inquire about circulation and web traffic for online publications BEFORE they pay.
I used to subscribe to Essence years ago when I was single and trying to delve into the black female psyche. Plus there was never a black male publication quite like it. EM was horrible. Code was okay but only lasted a year. Now the black pubs just copy the near-porn mags. Boring. |
Jmho
Veteran Poster
Username: Jmho
Post Number: 321
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 10:40 am: |
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Troy wrote:
When one solicits votes for authors then ranks those authors based upon the number of votes received; that is, by definition, a popularity contest.
So even Essence is also interested in what is popular, at least to some extent.
Yes, but there is/was only one category, in which is/was subject to the pubic voting, which tells me that there weren't just interested in what is popular. There are 8 other categories.
Troy wrote:
JMHO, I have no insight into Essence's methodology, but from what I've read on their site there was a long list of authors (I forgot the number) plus there was an opportunity to write in an author's name.
Yes, there was a list, and you could vote, and if you wanted to have someone's else name to be added, then you had to send an e-mail, now whether that name was added, so others could vote, for that specific author, I can't say. However, I don't think never happened, because I read the comment section, and someone complained that they had send a few e-mails, and the nominating author's name hadn't been added to the list.
Troy wrote:
If you went to the web site and saw that two authors garnered a combined total of 60% of votes cast; then something is very fishy.
I do not believe for a minute that 60% of a sample of 2,200 people voted for 2 authors AND that those two authors were either "L.A. Banks", "Lori-Bryant Woolridge", "Tananarive Due", or "Trisha R. Thomas" (the remaining top vote getters).
That is why I said earlier, it looked like the leaders, of the poll, either sat at their computers, and just voted over and over and/or had others to do it. I don't know if that happend or not, but it sure did give that appearance.
Honestly, I was so shocked, at the results, that I copied the result page, and e-mailed it to a friend, and said, look, do you believe this. That's why I have the numbers.
Troy wrote:
Essence has not exactly shied away from urban lit. I wish I had time to do some research but I recall Vicki Stringer and Nikki Turner being feature in Essence magazine articles.
Yes, those authors may have been featured, but compared, to all the other authors, that have appeared or featured in the magazine, they're in the minority, regardless to the number of urban books sold and their popularity. In fact, they feature as many non-fiction books as fiction. |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1082
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 10:36 pm: |
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Well I'm glad to report that not only was I invited to attend the awards ceremony, but I was also invited to join Blue Ribbon panel to select the winning titles. It was indeed an honor.
The voting took place last Friday. The ballots were cast in secret so I don't know who the winners are.
I can say that the process for voting on the titles went quite well. Some of the issues raised here were mentioned. However given that the books were already selected there was no point in belaboring the issue.
I was definitely charged just being in a room with a variety of accomplished industry professionals who not only love books, but care deeply about our people.
Patrik Henry Bass was not only an excellent host but really an inspiration. His knowledge if literature is encyclopedic.
I know I sound like a broken record saying that despite all the complaints that are really more good books, by Black authors, being published than ever before. I republished the list of 38 nominated books, with more detail, here: http://books.aalbc.com/2008_essence_literary_awards_nominees.htm
There will be several titles on this list that you will love.
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Wfcooper
Regular Poster
Username: Wfcooper
Post Number: 19
Registered: 12-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 11:31 am: |
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I can only imagine that feeling, Troy. You turned me on to Junot Diaz, and I am so feeling his mastery of the prose. As a writer, it motivates me to reach even higher. |
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