An Amazon Story
Question:
Why don't Indie books published by black authors often make it to the top of the sales ranks?
Answer:
Comments.
Yes, it really is that simple. You hold the power to either blow up your favorite author, or to allow them to languish in obscurity, while less talented authors get to shine.
How?
Simple Formula:
Increased Comments → Increased Visibility + Increased Consumer Confidence = Increased Sales.
Then Why Don't We Participate?
I have been told that reviewers on Amazon can receive a backlash from authors and fans. However, you don't have to leave your name. In the upper right hand corner, you can change your name to something different, for the purpose of making reviews.
Besides, these people do not know your email, your phone number, your home address or any other means to contact you, directly.
Why Should I?
Black female consumers buy a lot of books, in comparison with our counterparts in other communities. We are often over-represented in this category. Yet, our independent authors make only a fraction of the sales that their counterparts in other communities make. For instance, one Erotica novelist makes, on average, $50K per month online, because she got her voice out there. How? Comments.
I'm Not Black. How Does This Impact Me?
If the French had felt the same way about the works of Alexandre Dumas, then we would have been bereft of some of the greatest characters in classical literary history: The Three Musketeers. What about Dr. Maya Angelou, Phyllis Wheatley, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, Frederick Douglas, Richard Wright, etc. It is important not to shut out the voices of people outside your community, because, just as the collective works of William Shakespeare have done for me, they enrich your mind, your life and your culture.
Encouraging Our Brightest Voices
You have the means to increase awareness of our literature. Some of the writers online are among the most talented I have ever seen, published or not. Has anyone read Beast, by Onimosity on Valentchamber? Why that story is not on Amazon, where I can download it to my Kindle, I have no idea. However, I personally believe that a lot of it has to do with our confidence that we will receive support if we put our writing out there. When you write, it's like giving birth to a child, and when people don't support your work, it's like they're saying that your child is ugly. It's not pleasant, it's not fun and it hurts.
If you've ever read Pepper Pace, then you know that she is one of the greatest talents in IR/MC Fiction of our generation. Yet, she refused to publish her work until someone stole it, because she lacked the confidence to believe that she would be supported, and with good reason. A talent such as hers should stay in the top 100, and yet she regularly achieves sales ranks that I achieve in the same category with one or two sales. That just should not be the case.
Social and Economic Power
Authors such as B. D. Anderson are leading the way by showing us how to be generous with others. She is taking a portion of the proceeds from her book, The Preacher's Son, and she is helping other authors to get started. However, our authors can only help others if they can first help themselves. In other words, if you don't support, they have neither the social, nor the financial resources to get the next voice out there.
At What Cost?
There is no cost to comment. If you preferred to read my book, Amended Hearts, by Noelle Vonham Paling, for free, and have no intention of ever purchasing it, then that was the risk I took by putting it out there. However, Amazon does weigh your comment more highly if you are a verified purchaser. You simply have to have an Amazon account where you've made one purchase.
How Long Will It Take?
That depends on the length of your comment. However, most of them take less than five minutes. It probably took you longer to read this article.
What To Do If Your Comment Is Refused...
Contact Amazon immediately. A scandal erupted a few years ago, where reviewers were being paid to review certain books. As a result, Amazon sometimes rules out, or even eliminates, legitimate comments. If you don't complain, the board won't review the decision made by the computers.
So, What Will You Do Now?
Now, it's all up to you. Sit on the sidelines of history or make a difference. The choice is yours.
Links:
Amended Hearts, By Noelle Vonham Paling:
http://www.amazon.com/Amended-Hearts-Multicultural-Romance-Chiming-ebook/dp/B00J1AO7UO
http://www.amazon.com/Preachers-Son-B-D-Anderson-ebook/dp/B00I1U161I
Pepperpace Author's Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Pepper-Pace/e/B006NYWFT6/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1397070144&sr=1-2-ent
