Скачать или смотреть BTA – Breaking the Algorithm™: Finding Your Place in the Black Literary Ecosystem

If you’re an author of color, you already know the truth: there isn’t one dominant, universally known “marketing home base” built specifically for Black authors the way some mainstream ecosystems serve broader markets.

What we do have is a real ecosystem—but it’s fragmented, less visible, and spread across multiple spaces. That’s not a complaint. That’s the reality. And once you understand the reality, you can move with strategy instead of frustration.

In today’s BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm™, I break down several categories of spaces where Black authors can build visibility with more intention:

1) Visibility + Discovery Hubs (Black readers already looking for Black books)

AALBC (African American Literature Book Club) — a Black literature discovery ecosystem where Black books aren’t a side category.

2) Black Reader Marketing Outlets (targeted promo opportunities)

Mahogany Books (advertising/services to reach Black readers)

Black Château Enterprises (author network + advertising/marketing services)

Kush City (promotional programs for authors of color)

These aren’t BookBub—and that’s the point. They’re targeted.

3) Catalog + Listing Platforms (Black authors in one place)

Black Writers Workspace (catalog + listing mechanism so discovery is concentrated)

4) Community + Craft Support (learn + connect with people who get the context)

Facebook groups (example mentioned): Black Writers Collective

5) Events + Conferences (visibility not controlled by the algorithm)

Black Authors Festival

National Black Book Festival

Black Romance Bookfest

And here’s the simple takeaway I gave:
If you want to stop spinning your wheels, start with four aligned channels:

One Black-centered discovery hub

One targeted promo outlet reaching Black readers

One community space for learning + connections

One event (budget permitting)

You don’t have to do everything. You just need a few aligned channels to make visibility intentional.

If you want to connect with me:

Be a guest on The Author’s Mic™ (Mondays): https://brightheadedpublishing.com
→ Be a Guest tab

Grab my free 44-page guide (So You Want to Write a Book) on the website (flipbook or PDF)

Support my books (Wait For It audiobook + print, You Sound White print) — signed copies + shipping on me

Join IRS – Indie Reader Society (indie-only book club): readers join free, authors can pitch

Keep writing. Keep building. Keep breaking the algorithm.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Black-Focused Discovery, Marketing & Promotion Platforms

African American Literature Book Club (AALBC)
Black-focused book discovery ecosystem for readers and authors
https://aalbc.com

MahoganyBooks – Advertising Services
Paid advertising and promotions reaching the Black reading community
https://www.mahoganybooks.com/pages/a...

Black Château Enterprises
Author network plus book marketing, publicity, and promotion services
https://blackchateauenterprises.com

Cushcity
Author promotion programs and book marketing opportunities
https://www.cushcity.com

Black Writers Workspace / Direct2Author
Black-author catalog and free book upload/promotion platform
https://blackwritersworkspace.com

All Ways Black (Penguin Random House)
Spotlight initiative highlighting Black authors and stories
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/al...

Black-Focused Community & Craft Spaces

Black Writers Collective
Online writing community for Black authors
https://blackwriters.org

Kimbilio for Black Fiction
Community and professional development for writers of the African diaspora
https://kimbiliofiction.org

Well-Read Black Girl
Literary community, nationwide book clubs, and annual festival
https://www.wellreadblackgirl.com

Black-Focused Festivals & Conferences

Black Authors Festival (Sag Harbor)
https://blackauthorsfestival.com

National Black Book Festival
https://nationalblackbookfestival.com

Black Romance Book Fest
https://blackromancebookfest.com

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