Free Reading Lesson

So many were already warned so here you go!!!!!

Has anyone else noticed that there is a lack of love stories lately? I mean true romance stories. You know the type of stories where two people meet fall in love and wait there actually is an ending. Lately the stories out are alpha this, stepbrother that, and my favorite lets attach a color to the title so it will sell. I am so over series, and not even really that the lack of endings and mostly importantly editing. You want me a consumer/reader to invest in your work and you can’t even invest in yourself?

And let me just address the haters. And this is not so much for the readers but authors. How does another author writing in the same genre hurt you? I thought a little competition was healthy. If you are so secure and your work is so good why are you so mad? I have noticed lately authors bashing each other or in their groups trashing other authors work because they can’t see how their competition books are selling. Here is a clue and its business 101 why don’t you do your research?

Also what’s with authors rating their books on goodreads or even beta reading other authors books? Hell your stuff isn’t even edited how can you edit someone else stuff? Why people?! I honestly just miss good books and the only interaction readers had with authors were letters or emails. I mean social media will really make you give the side-eye to some folks. Please and take heed keep the drama to your books. You don’t need to attack readers because you don’t like their review which is a personal opinion. And you don’t need to whine and complain about it. Girl bye!!!! Everybody won’t like you. Hell half my reviews are not liked and marked unfavorable. And you know what I don’t complain because opinions are a dime a dozen.

This is the big doozy right here!!!! Remember when authors used to go on and on about please review my work or arcs for an honest review? Well now they don’t want that I have gotten emails that if the review is 3 stars or less not to post it. Really?! So you don’t want honesty? You don’t want to grow? So lie to you and then wonder why you are not making any sort of bestseller list but have to tag your book something its not just to get a high ranking?! Did I go there?!  

Get Your Library Card: The Reading Room

Happiness is a Library Card. Welcome To The Reading Room.

Lately I have noticed a trend with a lot of these covers in the IR world. I may step on a lot of toes with this but this is my truth. I know I am not the only one who dislikes greatly when the cover of a book doesn’t match the description of the book. For instance darkened photos.

Just for why?

 

A few well known black authors have used photos of white women and the reason I know this is because it is a stock photo and used on many white books and now are darkened for IR books. Is this some sort of modern day black face? I mean really what is the problem? I have seen people say that there aren’t many diverse photos out there. While this is sad but whenever there is a lack of anything in our community we created a way. We were separated from schools so guess what we started our on schools/colleges. We created a genre IR for women who look like us. ( I will come back to this one). My issue is please create your photos and stop using white women and darkening them up it just looks bad and frankly cheesy. You want to appeal to a broader audience well cool but don’t pimp this mess in our groups for our support and then describe the woman as anything other than black because you want mass appeal.  But the men are described down to their finger nails i.e. blonde hair and blue eyes, full lips etc. Why is the women aren't described but labeled as black woman? Readers aren’t dumb. There is nothing wrong with diversifying but damn let’s keep it real.

Another issue with this mainstreaming is former IR books now being offered as white books and free. Yes I am talking about a book in particular that was circulated in a group I was in. The book and I won’t name the book or the author but the book made #1 on AA list and IR but now the book is offered for free the female named is changed as well as her race and the author is labeling it MC?! Huh?! I mean come on. You want our money but we can’t be represented?

 

Back to the genre of women who look like us. Where are we represented these days? So many covers are dawning women whose race is so ambiguous I don’t know who or what I am reading about. Authors why label a book IR if you are so afraid to say what the woman is? It all comes back to money. Many know readers support and enjoy this genre so they cash in on the popularity. It’s honestly getting ridiculous.

Any way this is just my rant on a few things I have been noticing lately.