Authors Guild launches WhoMovedMyBuyButton.com

Today, the Authors Guild launched WhoMovedMyButton.com, a beta site for authors to track their books on Amazon and if the “Buy Now” button are accessible.  There’s a quick registration process and then you simply enter the ISBN for the books you want monitored. If there is a change in status, you’ll get an email alert.  They also include screen shots of how the book page should look and what to expect if your button has been removed.

For those who don’t know, things started last Friday when Amazon removed the “Buy Now” buttons for many of the imprints under MacMillan, one of the largest trade publishers in the U.S. (in other words, they threw a hissyfit).  It is unbelievable that after almost a week this has not been resolved and it leaves avid readers and authors wondering what will happen next.  When will we be able to buy the books on Amazon again?  It makes others wonder if this is a breach of contract from their publisher and if they have grounds to pull back their electronic rights. Some authors are even starting their on eBook companies to bring back out-of-print and backlisted titles, but others are more concerned with how the iPad plays into all this and if Jeff Bezos simply is trying to corner the market so the Kindle remains the “it” of ebook readers.  Or is it an ego trip for both sides at this point? Or even worse, is it just greed?

While I have yet to see an official response from Amazon or CEO Jeff Bezos other than a post on the discussion boards (in the Kindle Forum) from “The Amazon Kindle Team”, (which I might add was really a bit tacky and unprofessional.  Of course the Kindle crew is gonna side with Amazon as many are looking at cheaper ebooks as fitting in their best interest.)  John Sargent, the CEO of Macmillan has several paid ads updating authors & agents on the latest developments and in most of them, he sounds pretty convincing, but is it fear of the inpact eBooks will have on print books?  Macmillan even posted an ad in the NYT for a new release and added the tagline “Available at booksellers everywhere except Amazon.” (Not really a full-blown Amazon-style hissy fit, but it’s kinda funny and definitely makes a point.)

I understand most of the issues, but it seems to be getting pretty political on the literary front.  The bigger issue for me is that authors and their readers are being affected and this is just not good business.  Amazon may be a major avenue for distributing books, but are they right to remove the print books?   It makes me wonder if it is necessary for us to update RAWSISTAZ and BlackBookReviews.net so our members and visitors have access to books we’ve linked to which may now not be available to them.  Earlier this week SFWA removed the links on their site, stating “Our authors depend on people buying their books and since a significant percentage of them publish through Macmillan or its subsidiaries, we would prefer to send traffic to stores where the books can actually be purchased.”

This is truly a sad, sad time in literary history.   More popcorn anyone?

The Brown Bookshelf’s 28 Days Later

PRESS RELEASE

Saluting The Unsung
The Brown Bookshelf Announces 2010 Spotlight Authors & Illustrators

Today, The Brown Bookshelf announced the twenty-four authors and four illustrators to be spotlighted in the groups’ third annual 28 Days Later initiative, a month-long celebration of veteran and emerging children’s authors of color. “Recognizing these authors and illustrators is as important now as it was when we began the initiative in 2007,” said Brown Bookshelf member, Varian Johnson. “Like many industries, publishing has felt the recession’s crunch. So it’s no surprise that it would also adversely affect authors of color. We remain committed to beating the drum so word spreads about African American authors that focus their work on children’s literature.”

When submissions opened in September, readers and writers of children’s literature stepped up to suggest names of African American authors they felt were flying under the radar of librarians, teachers and parents. “Although a percentage of nominees are repeats or have already been honored in our last two campaigns, we’re discovering a handful of gems that few readers know about, every year,” said member, Don Tate. “I have mixed feelings every time I see a name I’m unfamiliar with. On one hand it’s wonderful to know there are that many folks out there published in the children’s lit arena. On the other, you wonder – why hadn’t I heard of them?”

Once the Brown Bookshelf membership (now six strong with the addition of Middle Grade author, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and Picture Book author, Tameka Fryer Brown) received the names, it was no easy task to cull them down to only four illustrators and eight authors per category. “There’s so much talent among the candidates nominated. It’s a struggle to not give in and say, let’s showcase all of them,” said new member, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich. “I’ve followed 28 Days Later annually, and I can honestly say this year’s selections are as deserving as previous years. I’m honored to have been part of the process.”

Member Don Tate will once again design a 28 Days Later poster featuring the honorees. It will be available for download at http://www.thebrownbookshelf.com.

This year, a copy of each featured author/illustrator’s work will be donated to Color Online, a community organization dedicated to empowering young women. Color Online operates a library and offers support to young girls at local non-profits in Detroit.

The authors, their most current book and the day they will be featured are as follows:
Vanguard authors in bold.
Illustrators in italics.

Feb. 1 – Marguerite Abouet (YA) AYA: The Secrets Come Out
Feb. 2 – AG Ford – (PB) Michelle
Feb. 3 – Kekla Magoon – (MG) The Rock & The River
Feb. 4 – Sharon Flake – (YA) Begging For Change
Feb. 5 – Natasha Tarpley – (PB) The Princess and the Frog: Princess Tiana and the Royal Ball
Feb. 6 – Dwayne Ferguson – (MG) Kid Caramel Series
Feb. 7 – Bernette Ford – (PB) Ballet Kitty: Play Book
Feb. 8 – Yasmin Shiraz – (YA) Retaliation
Feb. 9 – Shadra Strickland – (PB) A Place Where Hurricanes Happen
Feb. 10 – Sandra Belton – (MG) The Tallest Tree
Feb. 11 – Debbie Rigaud – (YA) Perfect Shot
Feb. 12 – Tony Medina – (PB) I and I, Bob Marley
Feb. 13 – Sharon Bell Mathis – (MG ) The Hundred Penny Box
Feb. 14 – Christine Taylor-Butler – (MG) Sacred Mountain
Feb. 15 – Tonya Hegamin – (YA) Pemba’s Song: A Love Story
Feb. 16 – Eric Velasquez – (PB) My Friend Maya Loves to Dance
Feb. 17 – Dinah Johnson – (PB) Black Magic
Feb. 18 – M. LaVora Perry – (MG) Taneesha Never Disparaging
Feb. 19 – Freddi Williams Evans – (PB) Hush Harbor
Feb. 20 – Janet McDonald – (YA) Off-Color
Feb. 21 – Jerdine Nolen – (PB) Pitching in for Eubie
Feb. 22- Jaimee Adoff – (YA) The Death of Jayson Porter
Feb. 23 – Cozbi Cabrera – (PB) Most Loved in all the World
Feb. 24 – Nikki Grimes- (MG) Rich: A Dyamonde Daniel Book
Feb. 25 – Martin Mordecai – (MG) Blue Mountain Trouble
Feb. 26 – Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard – (PB) Virgie Goes to School With Us Boys
Feb. 27 – Denene Millner & Mitzi Miller- (YA) Hotlanta Series
Feb. 28 – Charles R. Smith, Jr. – (PB) Dance With Me

Literary Round-Up & Black Book Talk Special (September 2009)

There is a lot going on in the literary world these days, so in addition to talking about the YA books we read last month, I also wanted to discuss some of the things in the works, so feel free to share any news or events happening this month.

BOM SELECTIONS
For August, our theme was Through the Eyes of a Child and we focused on YA/Teen titles.  Our books were What They Found: Love on 145th St by Walter Dean Myers and Mare’s War by Tanita S. Davis.

E LYNN HARRIS DAY
Today is the book launch party for the release of Mama Dearest, the newest release by the late E. Lynn Harris.  Friday has been set as E. Lynn Harris Day and bookstores across the country will hold special booksignings, hosted by authors who loved and supported his work.  RAWSISTAZ will be joining in the celebration with a special online tribute & celebration on Friday, so please stop through and join us.

The full tour schedule is HERE.

Also, there will be a memorial celebration on Friday at the Georigia International Convention Center – CLICK HERE for more info.

AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERARY AWARDS SHOW
The AALAS produces an annual  Literary  Awards show to recognize, honor, celebrate and promote the outstanding achievements and contributions that African-American authors and writers make to the publishing, arts and entertainment industries.  This year’s event happens Thursday, so stay tuned for the announcement of the winners.  Click HERE to visit site.

TYLER PERRY & FOR COLORED GIRLS
Did you know Tyler Perry is set to direct a big screen adaptation of the Tony-nominated Ntozake Shange play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf?”
Get More Info

THE COLOR PURPLE
Fantasia and the cast of The Color Purple returned to Atlanta and doing a two week run (Sep 15- Sep 27) at the The Fabulous Fox Theatre.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Jo Ann Hernandez is hosting a celebration: Rep Your Favorite Latino/a Book for Hispanic Heritage Month. CLICK HERE for more information.

EDI’S  09 SCHOOL READ
Edi is an African American female school librarian in Indianapolis working to improve the literacy of students of color in the US and around the globe. CLICK HERE for more information.

BOOK BLOGGER APPRECIATION WEEK
BBAW is going on and bloggers across the internet are sharing information on our favorite things…books!  CLICK HERE for more information.

LEE AND LOW NEW VOICES AWARD
The Award will be given for a children’s picture book manuscript by a writer of color. The Award winner receives a cash grant of $1000 and our standard publication contract, including a basic advance and royalties for a first time author.  CLICK HERE for more info.

PRECIOUS OPENS IN November
LIONSGATE, the leading next generation studio, announced today that Lee Daniels’ “Precious: Based On The Novel PUSH By Sapphire,” has won the Cadillac People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The award was announced at the festival’s closing ceremony.  CLICK HERE for more information.

Cover to Cover Literary Talk Show

NEW LITERARY TALK SHOW DEBUTS ON HOUSTON’S FM RADIO

(HOUSTON / TX April, 2009) Two bestselling authors with extensive media experience, ReShonda Tate Billingsley and Pat Tucker have joined creative forces to launch From Cover to Cover Literary talk show. The show, which is designed to help authors promote their work, and explore aspects of the literary industry, will debut on Houston Radio Station, KPFT 90.1 FM, on April 22, 2009 from noon to 1p.m. CST. [Read more]