Fans of Interracial Romance discussion

I'm curious to know your feelings on most bookstores tendencies to separate AA/IR books from the general romance sections. I personally don't like it and really can't stand the new setup at the Borders near my house. They moved the general romance and other fiction clear across the store well away from AA/IR romance authors. Basically it's easily missed if you're just a browser and I don't think it's fair to those authors who will miss out on potential customers of all backgrounds.

I just feel that if it's a romance book, then it should be in the romance section regardless of the race of author or subjects.

AMEN.

I agree, for the same reasons, Loni. I don't think it really helps to have those books basically cordoned off from the rest.

Agreed. Many AA authors have been fighting this for a very long time including with publishers. Like with Mellenia Black had a recent discrimination case regarding this. Many AA authors are still fighting with bookstores to be placed with all the other romances. It's more so the culture/background of the author rather than the content which dictates where the book is placed in stores. If the author is AA, then it goes in the designated section no matter what the book is about or who it's about. I've heard some have indeed changed to place all the romances together but many, as you may notice, are still behind the times.

Bookstores can change their placement if enough readers complain to bookstores about it but some have been content to keep both sections separate. I hope bookstores stock all romance together soon but we have to raise enough ruckus first.

I do not like having to sift through General Romance and AA romance to find my IR books.
Just put a sign like you do Science fiction etc etc

I wonder if the stores know who are black authors and which authors writes interracial books. If they have no clue, then I say, don't have pictures of the hero and heroine on your book, unless they are silhouette. Maybe that will help these books to be placed with the other books.

It's stupid to have AA and IR books separate from other romance books. They don't have AA and IR books money separate from the other money.

If all IR covers really showed what the characters in the story looked like they could put them in the Cooking section for all I care because I would be able to see it and not spend hrs and have burning eyes..ugh!

Romance has many diff levels so to speak.... regular, erotic,supernatural etc etc
Should they all be lumped together? can't they have a diff heading?

If I know author/title before I go to the store that's fine but most times I happen across the IR books.

Loni wrote: "I'm curious to know your feelings on most bookstores tendencies to separate AA/IR books from the general romance sections. I personally don't like it and really can't stand the new setup at the Bo..."

That drives me crazy. I did a survey and I made my objections to this known. I've been asked to do another one, and I'll will do so again.

I think that's the crux of the problem for a lot of booksellers, Sharon. What if you're looking for that kind of fiction, in specific? In that case, the separate shelving might help you. Hmm...

Sharon,

I understand what you mean...it would be nice if the romance section had subsections broken down by themes...But my problem is the separation of AA authors from other authors in the same genre.

I agree with you, Loni. There are so many genres in the African American section. It makes more sense to just put the AA authors into the distinct genre sections. I've walked out of Borders a few time and didn't even occur to me to look for an AA section to check for books.

B&N has AA fiction mixed in but they also have a standee with the Thug Lit (but they call it African American fiction).

LOL, Eugenia.

borders has all of them in an AA section. It's easy and hard for me. the books are grouped alphabetically so it's easy if you know the name of the author. but it means that you may overlook a particular book.

case in point "pleasure seekers" by Rochelle Alers. It's a story of 3 friends and one of them has an IR with a white billionaire. book is set in my home town of NYC. Ms. Alers does a wonderful job, an excellent job as a matter of fact. I would recommend that everyone read this book. And then we can all discuss it as a group read.

Is that the series when one of the friends own a bakery?

Sharon wrote: "


Is that the series when one of the friends own a bakery?"

is this addressed to me?

Eugenia wrote: "Gatadelafuente (Danielle) wrote: "LOL, Eugenia."

Hey, I'd use that phrase if you want to protest at your bookstore, because that's what it is in real terms "separate but equal". "


I will next time I get asked to do a survey for Borders. I did complain on the first survey.

yes please Justine


Justine wrote: "Sharon wrote: "


Is that the series when one of the friends own a bakery?"

is this addressed to me?

"

I remember when I read more AA romance I would always ask if there was a seperate section and they would say no it's all mixed into the romance sec
Now you can easily find it

Sharon wrote: "


Is that the series when one of the friends own a bakery?"

Sharon,
I have it in my TBR pile and I believe Pleasure Seekers is about an escort service, but not the trashy prostitute kind. But like I said, I haven't read it yet.

Spoiler Alert Spoiler Alert Spoilert Alert!!!!!!!!!!! Read at your own misfortune!!!!!!!!

Sharon wrote: "yes please Justine


Justine wrote: "Sharon wrote: "


Is that the series when one of the friends own a bakery?"

is this addressed to me?

"

"

Ah no Sharon, It deals with two black women who are having drinks one day at the four seasons hotel in NYC. Unbeknownst to them, their conversation is being over heard by a lady who extends an invitation for them to attend a cocktail party she's hosting. It turns out the lady provides escort service to the very wealthy men. I mean very wealthy. Billionaires etc. Both women attend and one of them happens to catch the eye of one of the said billionaires, who happens to be white.
The book deals with the how this romance progresses and how the other two black women get on. Forgot-at the party they are joined by this other black woman who is said to be a super model (I can see Naomi Campbell playing her if it was turned into a movie)

It is a great story. The IR couple I love! I encourage you all to read it!

This one is a bit hard to find, no? When I come across it, it's really expensive and very low on the quantity. May have to do some deep book digging on this one!

I'm trying to get a copy too, Rae. Sounds really good. I used to read Alers back in the day. She's a good writer.

Ooh good to hear! Let me know if you spot any copies anywhere.

Rae wrote: "This one is a bit hard to find, no? When I come across it, it's really expensive and very low on the quantity. May have to do some deep book digging on this one!"

I've seen a couple of issues in the Borders I go to in NYC

Gatadelafuente (Danielle) wrote: "I'm trying to get a copy too, Rae. Sounds really good. I used to read Alers back in the day. She's a good writer."

It's really good. She tells the story of all 3 black women. I tell you I couldn't put it down. And from time to time I go back to it just to read again the story of the IR couple.

Rae wrote: "Ooh good to hear! Let me know if you spot any copies anywhere. "

Will do. I'll grab one for you.

i'll see if they have any at borders. you know you could just go to borders and order it, with no obligation to purchase