The Sankofa Literary Society founded in 2007 consists of authors, librarians, 80 established bloggers, 42 nurses, 15 independent bookstores, 45 reviewing book clubs and has over 2,700 members online and offline in total, with 877 of those members coming from book clubs or established reading groups.
Quarterly the SLS publishes the popular TOP 100 BEST BOOKS lists. Each summer the SLS hosts the annual Chocolate Socials which brings readers and authors to Atlanta, GA and New Orleans, LA for the private literary events. Sponsored by EDC Creations Media Group and the Black Authors Network (BAN) .
The SLS members and BAN Radio guest speakers are dedicated to providing information to black business owners and authors so that they may gain access to the global consumer and to helping promote the growth of black owned publishing related businesses and more diverse literature.
Come join our lively discussions each week as we tackle a number of topics relevant our community. Each week, the Black Authors Network Show interviews special guest authors, community leaders, educators, and experts from various fields in publishing, who want to make a difference in the lives of Americans.
Our mission is to improve literacy in our community and to help improve relationships, all relationships in the African American community globally! If you're not a part of the movement, don't let another day go by without joining us.
Visit our website today: https://edc-creations.com/sankofa-literary-society.html
Black Page Turners was formed by Cleavester b.k.a. King Brooks in 2013. Before Black Page Turners, I hosted an online radio show and various other book magazines and websites. I am a team of one.
I was inspired to start Black Page Turners by the closing of Black Issues Book Review. I wanted a place where I could come and find out all about African Americans books, publishing information, writer’s tools, etc. The purpose of Black Page Turners is to inform readers about books written by and about African Americans.
BPM: Has social media changed how you feel about any authors?
No, I have learned how to separate the work from the person. So I want be disappointed. As long as you write a good book. I have no problem with you; but if the book is not good, then we have a problem.
In the words of Don Miguel Ruiz "Don't Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering."
BPM: Do you have any words of wisdom for others who might want to start a book blog?
In the famous words of Nike 'Just Do It.' If you are getting into this business to be about yourself or to be famous. Turn and exit now. Be prepared to invest long hours into your blog and be patient. The followers, authors, and publishers don't come overnight. If anyone tells you 'No,' don't take it personal. Just keep moving forward and be very creative.
Website: www.blackpageturners.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bpageturners
Facebook: www.facebook.com/blackpageturners
Books are the very stuff of human civilization and it seems almost improper to be in a position of not sharing insights I have obtained from them. Yes, there are those for whom books are mere items for collection. For me, it is so much more. It is a way of escape. Being able to secretly slip into a magical, sacrosanct work of fiction is sheer bliss. Moreover, it became the release of my ever stressed and fretful soul into distant places. Books, digital or physical, are a talisman for my psyche.
The Literary Apothecary blog started out as a requirement to read ARCs. But, it has become my online journal, traipsing through my thoughts and stamping the blogosphere with its footprint.
You may find something that piques your interest and you may not. Either way, you are welcome to travel the path of questions, concepts, and random thoughts my scientific brain creates.
Pro-blogger Erica Watkins is from Maryland, where she spends time with her loving husband, awesome son, and four rambunctious four-legged friends. She blogs about books and frequently hides books in the Little Library's around town for children and adults. She dreams of becoming a Book Riot contributor, where she would bring attention to black authors. Blog address: www.theliteraryapothecary. blogspot.com
Keisha Hester is a librarian residing in Chicago. She connects readers with books on a daily basis, and is in the process of writing of her first novel.
BPM: Do you have any words of wisdom for book clubs?
Decide the ground rules from day one. If your group will actually discuss the book at length, then requirement number one is that everyone reads it. If it will be more social in nature, then pick books that are light and quicker to read. Also, feel free to totally judge a book by its cover! If it is aesthetically appealing to you, chances are higher that you will read it to completion.
BPM: How do ebooks fit into libraries? Would you ever stop buying printed books?
Libraries now offer ebooks through various platforms to patrons, though not every ebook is available for libraries to purchase. The publishers have placed certain restrictions on their digital works, which is unfortunate. Personally, I would never stop buying printed books. Here’s why: you don’t actually own the digital book itself in some cases. Publishers can essentially encrypt files to self-destruct after a certain time period, as it were, which is what happens when you borrow it from a library. After the loan period is up, you can no longer access the ebook unless you check it out again. And the platform that you use to access that ebook could also go away. What would you do with the files then, if the platform used to access them no longer existed? With the printed word, all you have to do is go to your book shelf, pull it off, sit down, and read!