In response to the latest edition of Race Fail I made this post over at Goodreads. I know it will be taken down, because even though nobody gives a damn about us or our feelings and don’t care if “martians” write multicultural books, we are oh so careful of their feelings. Antway here’s the post:
Well, the funny thing is, they aren’t in the least bit shy about showing their hands. They’ve told us straight up; they want multicultural books written by white authors. And that’s precisely what they’ll get. Question is, what are we going to do about it? While black women are foolishly running around playing that Kumbayah crap they’ve been sharpening their elbows for a takeover. And it’ll work too, because black readers will buy their books, sometimes before they’ll buy ours. Because we all know the white man’s ice is colder. And they’ll get the big contracts and the rewards for being so “diverse” and “inclusive,” and cutting edge like that culture appropriating bitch, J.R. ward. Meanwhile we use the few resources we have to include them because it would be “wrong not to.” We even include them in spaces that are supposed to be ours, but is there any reciprocity? Hell no, and there never will be. They have enough sense to protect their turf while we’re so desperate for inclusion we give away the keys to the kingdom. That’s why I haven’t bought a book by a white author since Race Fail 2008 and never will again. I might not be able to kerp them from cutting my throat, but I’ll be damned if they’ll use my money to do it. It’s time and past time for black women to get strategic with our resources. Let publishers know that if they want our money they have to contract and promote black writers. There is no multicultural romance without multicultural authors. Write about it. Tweet about it. Blog about it. Start review blogs. Show them we don’t need them, and we’re not willing to beg them to kick us in the teeth. If nothing else, for the love of visible panty lines get over to Amazon and review the bloody books!
And unlike them I won’t throw a rock and hide my hand: I’m calling for a total and absolute boycott of books by white authors. Further, I’m saying they should be excluded from any and all promotional opportunities in our spaces. We should act as though they don’t exist, the same way they do us. Unless and until there is true reciprocity they get nothing from us, period. Make no mistake about it, unless we do this within ten years multicultural romance will cease to exist. We have history to show us what they mean by multicultural, our stories being told by white authors. They’re going to “help” us right out the door in a genre we built with our own blood sweat and tears. Now they’re circling like vultures to pluck our eyeballs out. If that’s not what you want, now is the time to speak out about it and most importantly DO something about it.






















Roslyn you nailed this one right out of the ball park! I’m am in constant discussion and debate about this very thing with my reading groups sisters. I Wharever else I can do as a reader and lover of this genre I’m on it. It’s funny how black female writers built multicultural romance from the ground up and made it what it is today and now not only are white author getting all the big contract deals but they are getting all the promotion etc. I think more black readers aren’t educated enough about this I wish more black writers of your caliber who share this genre should be more outspoken about it and also on blog shows and book premeire events talk about this to the readers explain it to on a level readers understand. Mosr readers in groups I belong to don’t even know what indie authors are. There was one point and time I had no knowledge of this either until I started getting to know more about what happens behind the scenes. So now I’m am always supporting and promoting your work as often as I can.
Great article Roslyn!
Please forgive my typos. Goes to show you should never attempt writing something when you are tired.
Thank you A.W. we’re going to need our fans now more so than ever. I remember when MM romance first started. People eho loved that genre set up blogs to review their books because mainstream blogs wouldn’t. Now MM is huge. Their goodreads group has thousands of members. There’s no reason we cn’t do the same. We’ve got to stop begging them to include us and get out yhere nd get our own. You don’t want to start a blog there are other things you can do. If you read a book and like it at the very least post it on Facebook and/ or Twitter. We have absolutely no excuse for not promoting and supporting our own genre. Buzz is what it’s about these days. They’ve got hashtags and whole sites for their books. There’s no reason we can’t dothe same.
As an avid reader of I/R romances, let me assure black authors that I’d buy your books BEFORE those of a white author who writes a black female heroine/non-black hero romance. Back in those days when you were few and far between, ie, 8yrs ago or so when I started reading romances, I bought some white female authors of I/R romances, whom I liked, but irrespective, I realised I’m just as prejudiced (narrow minded) as the “mainstream” is because as soon as I found out they were white, they lost their significance. That taught me to first investigate the author before purchase. I’m not “protectionist” (only) because of finances (though such posts are making me more aware), but mostly because I enjoy more I/R romance reads written by a black female author. BASTA!.
And seriously, if you create sites where we readers can visit for the type of genre of books we like, I’M SO THERE!. Bugger inclusion. Concentrate on us readers who LOVE your work!.
PS: I won’t join facebook or twitter or such nonsense, but I promise to be more diligent in posting my reviews on the sites where I purchase my ebooks and to let you know!.
…oh and please tell me: DO I HAVE TO REGISTER AT AMAZON AGAIN?. I HATE them!.
Yes, foosrock, you HAVE TO REGISTER AT AMAZON.
I just discovered your blog Roslyn. You have my full support as a Black woman. I love reading stories written by us for us. I’m happy to see more romance/erotica novels featuring Black women and Asian men/Latino men as well. Thank you for all you do!
Were it not for multicultural romance, I would not be purchasing romance novels. They’re the only kind of romance novels I read. I got into them because they were different and they’re something with which I can identify. There are so many of the “other ones” out there that they all look alike to me. Instead, I took to reading multicultural romance. I love these books because I can now see myself in the place of the protagonists. Last I heard, we do get to make choices in this country. If I am not free to read books of my choosing, I will not be reading them. So to the anti multiculturalist, do what you will, but you still will not force me to read what you’ve chosen for me. I stopped watching so much tv because it had become so anti people of color. If “those w/the power” start sanctioning what I can read, I’m done.
Sounds like sour grapes because “some folks” may be cutting into their business.
I had no idea this was going on. I just assumed the aurthors were black. Thanks for letting me know.
I noticed the trend about 6 months ago and I was just discussing it with a friend on Amazon. Count me among the black women who will never (knowingly) buy a I/R romance novel written by anyone other than a black woman or an occasional white male. I say knowingly because if you go to some of the author pages, you see no picture at all or a picture of their pets. But I know a few of the names and avoid them at all cost. Why would a WW want to write BW/WM romance, it makes no sense. If you check the synosis almost all the female characters are bi-racial or light, bright…you know the rest. If I’m forced to stick to the authors I know are AA, I’ll do that.
Also, I just read “Hot for Teacher” and loved it. I will do a review within a week.
Thank you so much for your support. Readers like you make it all worthwhile.
Hi Rolsyn,
Okay, I’m going to tweet and put this on my site, plus list this blog page with your stirring statement.
If you don’t mind, I may even make a button with your phrase “There is no multicultural romance without multicultural authors.”
Wikkid.Sexy.Cool. Where multicultural romance rules!
If you know like me you will get you a color-free pseudonym and keep on keeping on. LOL! NEVER post a picture and keep it moving.