Do white women read black novels?

Question

I am an author and I was wondering why so many white females refuse to read "black fiction." My work is not "urban" shoot'em up bang-bang. My work is the reflection of the middle class American sprit. Yet, white females, will walk by my table at book fairs and wont turn or offer me a double take. I write for the world to read not just black females. So if you can explain why, I am open to read your reply.

I am pleased that so many people replied to my question "Do white women read black novels?" What I expected readers to say was, "Why yes I read black fiction, Toni Morrison and Maya Angelo. What about the other 300 plus black authors?? However, what I didn't expect were feed backers (made-up word LOL) to assume that I was mean, rude, hostile, not a good communicator, a poor sales person, and not popular. I am none of the above. I have been all over the United States and only one state did I have the pleasure to see people of all races open to the ideal of reading black fiction. That state and city was Oakland, CA.
There are many black authors, who are not listed above, whom aren't being read and or supported by non-black female readers. I just wanted to read your thoughts. Thank you for your time and your honest feelings.

Answer 1

White women do read black authors! Even more so with Oprah popularizing many that they might not have known about before hand.
Maybe you should try to engage them in conversation, they may be shy, or they may feel a little strange and self conscious at first if they are not used to reading black literature. Or if they don't know about your books, like you are not famous, you won't have a "fan" following yet, so you have to "blow your own horn" and get better at pr. I think much of the publicity of a book is left up to new authors now, the publishing houses won't do much to promote you if they don't see you promoting yourself a lot, then they will start.
Good luck!

Answer 2

I'm certainly not a woman but I will have to disagree with you about whites not reading black writers.

I can assure you right now that a lot more white people buy and read books by black writers than blacks do. Writers like Gwendolyn Brooks, Ntozake Shange, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Alice Walker, Randall Kenan and Toni Morrison have always been supported by lovers of great literature. To such people it's not ever a race issue but an issue of good story telling finding a broad audience.

This includes poets, novelists and of course August Wilson, the renowned playwright.

If these women are ignoring you at book fairs if might have to do with where the fairs are being held, your own presentation or perhaps even your attitude. Attitude counts when an author faces an actual buying public.

Angela Davis, God bless her, is far too threatening in person to the more timid types. So is Nikki. While someone like Maya comes across as everyone's favorite aunt. And Alice Walker could sell swampland with her charm.

I hope I'm making sense here. You may need to adjust how others see you.

Answer 3

I think "The color purple" is one of the best books ever written. I haven't found any books lately that I like as much as that..but I have seen a few movies, including, "Kingdom Come" (one of the best comedies about crazy family life I ever seen) and "Two can play that game" that I consider great movies/stories that stand on their own without the "black" label attached to them. I would never pass up the chance to meet any author and sample work that I might love but maybe they are assuming something about you or your work. Try catching people's eyes when they are walking by, engaging them in conversation and selling your work, like any author has to do. Good luck, it sounds as if you believe in your work and eventually other people will too.

Answer 4

Please tell me more about your fiction. I am feeling somewhat upset by your question. First, the Color Purple is one of my favorite novels and it has nothing to do with the color of the writer, but everything to do about the struggles of the characters. Toni Morrison's novels adorn my bookshelves and not only because of the movie Beloved. I know, everyone says these things. Personally I love the strength of the black women that I have found in novels and movies All of that popular stuff aside, I refuse to believe that educated women are simply ignoring you. (What do you think of Gloria Naylor?) Is your table inviting? Are you out-going and trying to sell your work?

Answer 5

Its like telling a child not to run in around a pool; they don't listen until the actually fall. In the same way, white women may feel like the book does not interest them and until the issues you write in your book between relevant in their lives, they probably won't read it.

On another note, I don' t think its always the issue of white women and black novels but a problem for humans in general. What book did you write anyway? And how did you pick out white women in general anyway?

Answer 6

A lot of them read The Colour Purple by Alice Walker so I guess the answer is yes. Perhaps there's another reason why they aren't stopping or looking.
Are you being subconsciously aggressive towards them through body language?
What are the titles of your books? Are they negative towards anyone?

Answer 7

The Color Purple

Beloved

Secret Life of Bees - I don't think the author is black - but the main characters were black ladies.

Movies- How Stella Got her Groove Back - I really enjoyed it!

Answer 8

No thought if this author is a guy or lady yet i understand that she or he writes interracial romances. in spite of the undeniable fact that, i won't be in a position to bear in ideas if that's a black guy white lady, or vice versa. nicely worth finding out nevertheless. J.J. Murray

Answer 9

I read books about just about anything, I don't discriminate based on the fact that it might be about african american culture or history. I LOVED "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and various other "black" novels.

Answer 10

Tell us the title of your book

I think women of any colour can read what the hell they like. Maybe you need to advertise better. Does anyone else read your books? If not, it's a marketing problem.