Separate, But Equal?

I'm back home from a weekend down home and instead of taking my sinus infected self to bed, I'm surfing, replying to gazillion emails, getting mad and now perplexed about my latest soap box issue.

...Is there such a thing as
as Black Christian Fiction,and should Separate, but Equal Laws apply?

For those of you who can't see my picture on this blog page let me tell you a secret about me--I'm Black. Let me tell you another secret--I'm tired of having to see my friends books separated, because some one a few decades ago decided that all black books deserve their own dedicated case...as if black writing is a separate genre, equal to whom...

Moreover, I'm tired of so called reviewers(me included) tring to pigeonhole my voice based on my skin. My writing cronies know that I have more in common with an Okefenokee Swamp Gator than Atlanta, Blacklanta, whateveryouwanttocallitlanta. Yet, when I walk into anystore (ABA or CBA) where are the books? Either on a reserved shelf space highlighted around February for Black History Month or when an author is in the hood.

Sue Monk Kidd discussed the Shrine of the Black Madonna Movement in The Secret Life of Bees, but I have never seen the book on display at Black History Month or set aside with the other books dealing with black life.

Well, I came across this article[you can click on the title to read it] which I thought would help me understand what is Black Christian Fiction. I read and found nothing. Just generic definitions on christian fiction and some links.

I don't have time to sleuth for more information, so I will leave this discussion for you to discuss as tomorrow I am writing my novel and that's all, but I would like to know do you think there is a difference?

Is there such a thing as Black Christian Fiction and should Separate, but Equal Laws apply?

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

How to Get Your Book into Lifeway Part Three

Read Part One and Two to catch up. This response is the latest from Lifeway Christian Bookstores. It is interesting to see how things work on the business side. Where can I get more behind the scenes information about book distribution and store placement?

Dear Dee,

Thank you for asking for more Christian
fiction books in LifeWay Christian Stores. I am pleased to respond.

Our fiction book assortment determination is based on several
parameters,and the final assortment is determined by the Book Buyer. One of the
most important determining factor is quality of content. Other factors are
theauthor sales history, publisher's promotional plans for titles, our
space availability, and funds available for not only Christian books but the
fiction area within the books category. We are able to offer a broader
selection at our Internet store, and you may find what you are looking
for there...

Thank you for shopping at Atlanta area LifeWay Christian Stores and for
taking the time to write and express your concerns on this issue. Your
input is important to us as we make decisions that will meet customer
needs and help people know Jesus Christ and seek His Kingdom.

Blessings,

Jim Shull
LifeWay Christian Stores

So You Want to Be Published?

On my quest to become a serious christian writer, I came across this list of possible periodicals that could use this gospel diva's writing voice.
Note: This list is partial click on the title to get to the full directory.

Dee

-A-

ACCENT ON LIVING* http://www.accentonliving.com
ADORATION* http://www.adorationpress.com
ADVENT CHRISTIAN WITNESS*ACPub@adventchristian.org
AGAIN MAGAZINE * http://www.conciliarpress.comT
HE ALABAMA BAPTISTnews@alabapnews.org
ALIVE NOW!http://www.upperroom.org/alivenow
ALLIANCE LIFE http://www.cmalliance.org
AMERICA * http://www.americapress.org
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY * http://www.ATStracts.org
AMERICAN WASTELAND * http://www.americanwasteland.com
ANCIENT PATHS * http://www.geocities.com//journalancient/index.html
AND HE WILL GIVE YOU REST * http://www.restministries.org
ANGELS ON EARTH http://www.guideposts.org
ANGLICAN ARTS angarts@musica-mundana.com
ANGLICAN JOURNAL http://www.anglicanjournal.com
THE APOCALYPSE CHRONICLES http://www.ChristianMediaNetwork.com
ARKANSAS CATHOLIC mhargett@dolr.org
ARLINGTON CATHOLIC HERALD * http://catholicherald.com/index.htm
AT THE FENCE http://www.atthefence.com


Check back regularly as I will contine adding to the list, D-Z, respectively.