tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482156857828868888.post50012739504232238..comments2023-12-24T06:55:07.570-05:00Comments on TheHappyNappyBookseller: My ThoughtsDorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08676911030014718403noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482156857828868888.post-19609727853298378732008-09-24T10:33:00.000-04:002008-09-24T10:33:00.000-04:00First of all thank you for stopping by Denene Mill...First of all thank you for stopping by Denene Miller. I am happy to hear that mentioned some YA authors in your article. <BR/><BR/>The cover- Yes, to me Hotlanta has a street like look. I almost copped out, on giving a reason because I couldn't put my finger on it, but since you were kind enough by, I figured you deserved an answer. So I just browsed a bunch of street lit. covers on amazon ( that was so not fun). Halfway through it came to me, Its the posed photograph close up. A lot of street lit covers have their not so clothed models posed on the cover. The models on Hotlanta for beautifully dressed but they are posed. Street lit covers have ruined photographed posed cover close ups for me. Is it right probably not but its how I feel. <BR/><BR/>I am hoping librarians or teachers will comment on this post. Did you or didn't you purhcase Hotlanta and why. And what black teen fiction have you purchased recently. Only through continued discussion can we better understand each other and get a few more black children's authors on the shelves.<BR/><BR/>Oh, Toni says that now but she would probably ask for your autograph if you came into the store. Not for Hotlanta though, she doesn't do teen fiction. (I've tired) I couldn't even tempt Toni with a black teenage girl who wanted to become a vegetarian chef. Though she does love Knuffle BunnyDorethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08676911030014718403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482156857828868888.post-38386134534009515802008-09-24T02:29:00.000-04:002008-09-24T02:29:00.000-04:00Thank you for taking interest in the piece I wrote...Thank you for taking interest in the piece I wrote for Publisher's Weekly. It's precisely this kind of discourse that I was hoping for when I wrote it. I would like you to know that the original piece DID point out that Sharon Flake, Walter Dean Meyers, and Jacqueline Woodson, authors I admire, paved the way for my writing partner and I to write "Hotlanta." Indeed, the sentence you highlighted, which began with "Very few authors," was the opening to my shout outs to the ones who have been prolific and enjoyed great success. I also pointed out that some houses, like Kimani True and Scholastic, with its Buford High series, have made the commitment to put out books that speak specifically to this group. Unfortunately, I have no control over which pieces of my essay an editor of a magazine I don't own chooses to leave on the cutting room floor. <BR/><BR/>Re: the Hotlanta cover: I'm sorry that you think it looks like street fiction. The last time I checked, though, the covers of urban lit looked a lot like soft porn, with scantily-clad women pawing over half-naked men in provocative poses. I'd argue that the only thing the Hotlanta cover has in common with those covers is that the characters featured are African American. That's about it. Our girls are tastefully dressed, they're smiling, they're standing like ladies... I see no comparison. But we've become so conditioned to the provocative covers that we can no longer distinguish between normal and shameful. It's just all bad. And for that, I'm truly disappointed. Disgusted, really. <BR/><BR/>I thank you for acknowledging the overall point of my essay, which was to point out that it's extremely hard for African American writers trying to SAY SOMETHING with their work, who truly adore the written word, and who are writing for more than just a quick hustle of a buck or two, to be successful at what they're trying to do: bring quality fiction to black teens, who still have to wade through a massive amount of literature featuring white characters to find stories like those written by the fabulous authors you mentioned. Blogs like TheHappyNappyBookseller and TheBrownBookshelf do us a wonder of good, as do booksellers like you, who lead our children to the fountain and encourage them to drink. For this, I am grateful.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and "Toni": I would never come for you, baby. But I might just give you the stink eye! LOL!<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/><BR/>Denene Millner<BR/>author, Hotlanta and If Only You Knew: A Hotlanta novelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482156857828868888.post-66400073735080286292008-09-23T22:50:00.000-04:002008-09-23T22:50:00.000-04:00Thank you Toni and KellyThank you Toni and KellyDorethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08676911030014718403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482156857828868888.post-55063019572196021482008-09-23T22:30:00.000-04:002008-09-23T22:30:00.000-04:00Great post, Doret!Great post, Doret!Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15169707337312707247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482156857828868888.post-25328486324473818652008-09-23T20:26:00.000-04:002008-09-23T20:26:00.000-04:00i got your back if she figures out where we work!i got your back if she figures out where we work!Toni Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01301378153468384096noreply@blogger.com