![[Juding a Book]](https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/images/P1-AG452A_Black_20061205201646.gif)
Wall Street Journal's Jeffrey Trachtenberg has written an article that has stirred some watercooler discussions among the book publishing community. The debate--
Should fiction written by black authors be shelved in African-American
departments, a move that often helps nurture writers? Or should it be
presented alongside other categories, such as general literature,
allowing books written by black authors to take their place in
publishing's mainstream?
My editor, Carol Stacy of Romantic Times, Terri McMillan and my RAWbud, Brandon Massey are included in this discussion.
I spoke about this same issue in my May post, Niche Jesus. And I totally forgot about my mini project in conjunction with it.
Grace & Race in Christian Publishing
Grace & Race in Christian Publishing
IThe objective was to do some
coalition building among bookclubs, writers, bookstore owners and
whomever wanted to participate with hopes to spark a movement to change
they we all look at books and storytelling. As Christians, we know that
racism is a demon sent to steal, kill and destroy the Body of Christ.
We are all proactive in removing prejudice from our lives. We all love
each other. However, this issue is a sticky place and fear stepping on
others toes or putting our feet in our mouths. So here we are....
coalition building among bookclubs, writers, bookstore owners and
whomever wanted to participate with hopes to spark a movement to change
they we all look at books and storytelling. As Christians, we know that
racism is a demon sent to steal, kill and destroy the Body of Christ.
We are all proactive in removing prejudice from our lives. We all love
each other. However, this issue is a sticky place and fear stepping on
others toes or putting our feet in our mouths. So here we are....
I know this project is a
taxxing one, but I feel it is worth the effort to make some grassroots
changes. We can't fault publishing houses for doing what they do
best--sell books. And we can't fault Christian publishers for doing the
same. But as Christian readers and writers we have a purpose to edify
the Body of Christ and glorify our Lord. Are we doing that when we
justify racial division when we read, when we write, when we review,
when we judge, when we buy?
I'm guilty of it. I asked God to forgive me for backing out of my
project this summer. I am on to new things now, one of which is
resurrecting this project. The offer still stands. If you would like to
join the Grace & Race Movement, leave me a comment or email me off
loop. I will send you the Phase One Plan for Coalition Building which
will begin in 2007.
Dee
taxxing one, but I feel it is worth the effort to make some grassroots
changes. We can't fault publishing houses for doing what they do
best--sell books. And we can't fault Christian publishers for doing the
same. But as Christian readers and writers we have a purpose to edify
the Body of Christ and glorify our Lord. Are we doing that when we
justify racial division when we read, when we write, when we review,
when we judge, when we buy?
I'm guilty of it. I asked God to forgive me for backing out of my
project this summer. I am on to new things now, one of which is
resurrecting this project. The offer still stands. If you would like to
join the Grace & Race Movement, leave me a comment or email me off
loop. I will send you the Phase One Plan for Coalition Building which
will begin in 2007.
Dee
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