I think perhaps only money talks. If white readers made a point of seeking out AA romances and buying them, and writing to the publishers to tell them how wonderful the book was, that would register with those making marketing decisions.

I read Ciar's post and my big question is "what do most AA authors think about the current situation?" Do they prefer that readers who are looking for AA voices find them easier because they are shelved separately?

From my perspective, the answer would be "no", they would prefer to be shelved within their individual genres. But, then again, I'm a 50 year old white woman, so what do I know?

What is the black reader's perception of all these romance stories with white hero/ines? Who hasn't read a romance and put herself in the heroine's place? But does the black reader feel a bit disconnected from all these shining WHITE characters? Would she like to know exactly where to go in a bookstore to find a book/character she CAN connect to without sorting through the hundreds of books (including historicals) that she knows she CAN'T connect with?

This is a good question, Ann(ie) and I don't think there will be one clear-cut and dry answer. If that were the case we wouldn't all be grappling with it. Then there is the fact that solutions have to be flexible. I do thing that Julia's suggestion is a great way to start breaking down some of the barriers. QB, most black women who are avid romance readers started reading romances long before any of the African American romance lines got started. We started reading white romances and many of us still read them. For those of us who love the genre because of the happily-ever-after and the great love story race doesn't play as huge a factor as it does for some white readers. It would be interesting to survey Black women readers and see if this is the case. But I would venture to say that most Black women who are fans of the genre, already read lots of white romance novels.

Gwyneth

Gwyneth said it already, but I'll say it again. Black women have read white romances for years. Some still exclusively read white romances. Those few may read interracial (BW/WM) romances, but they still read plenty of white romances. I read plenty of white romances, mostly paranormal now.

What we're saying is that readers connect with good writing. It can't be just white kids reading Harry Potter for instance.

I'd posted a few suggestions over on RTB, and Annie is doing the first suggestion. She's blogging about it. I think also asking review sites to review more AA romance would be good as well. Ask bookstores how they shelve the books, then say you're uncomfortable with that and plan to take your money elsewhere is another good idea.

First, vote with your dollar. Buy AA romances. (The potential downside of this is it might make marketers think this "niche" segregation is working -- but increased sales is the only thing that will bring home to the publishing houses that these black writers deserve the same level of support white writers receive. Buy the books, and let everyone know, through letters and blogs, what you had to do to find these books; stress that they should be in the main section.)

BTW: You ever try to find something in the AA section? Romance, Christian how-to, chick lit, financial advice -- everything is thrown together in no order whatsoever. Like black readers don't appreciate organization of genres or intelligent arrangement of merchandize.

Then post your reviews -- good and bad. Honesty is what matters, not trying to apologize for racist marketing with sunshine and sweetness non-reviews. If you're part of a group, get your group to do the same thing. And write to folks who review -- ask them what their policy is on reviewing. Recommend some AA titles. Let them know you want to hear about AA titles you haven't read. Make noise.

This thread is old, and I doubt anyone will see this post. BUT, in answer to your challenge, I offered to buy and review an AA romance on my blog. No takers.