From the editor-in-chief

This time, five years ago, Black Issues Book Review was a germ of an idea. My intuition told me that the tremendous growth in reading among African Americans and, thus, the explosion in book publishing to satisfy our literary appetites, was not a trend but a cultural movement that would become firmly established. Naysayers believed a glossy, consumer periodical devoted solely to black books had about as much popular application as the prevailing wisdom among early skeptics of the cell phone.

Today, as I travel the nation attending black writers' events and speaking on topics related to African-American books, I hear over and over again that BIBR is the black book lover's grapevine. Of course, the phrase "black book lover's grapevine" is not nearly as ubiquitous as "Call me on my cell." But I could not be more proud to celebrate our fourth anniversary issue, and BIBR's longevity and tremendous growth in readership.

In this celebration issue, we also observe Black History Month and Martin Luther King Day, so it's only fitting that BIBR explore the marketing phenomenon that has turned an historical observance into a bankable business for publishers and booksellers. A concert of strategies makes the six weeks from King's birthday through February the black book marketing season, with strong buoying from TV and radio and a welcomed "ka-ching" for African-American authors. Black Issues examines the commerce of black books and shares the concerns about the "ghettoization" that some established authors have quietly expressed to publishers. (See page 36)

Whether it's labeled marketing hype or long overdue recognition, black books are in the spotlight, and BIBR is putting words on the grapevine about incredible new biographies like Valerie Boyd's Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston, and important new works by Michael Eric Dyson, John McWhorter and Manning Marable among other important thinkers, as well as a wide array of design books that have helped establish what can loosely be described as "black style."

You know how the grapevine works. Spread the word that BIBR has completed four years of continuous publishing and that this--our 25th issue--is a celebration for all of us book lovers.

Sincerely,

William E. Cox President/Editor-in-Chief

COPYRIGHT 2003 Cox, Matthews & Associates
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group