The African-American Book Publishing Authority 


BACKGROUND


Black Issues Book Review is the only national magazine devoted exclusively to covering books by black authors and the interests of African-American readers. The magazine was founded in 1998 by William E. Cox, president of Cox, Matthews & Associates, Inc., which also published Black Issues in Higher Education and Community College Week.

Within months of its January 1999 debut, Black Issues Book Review was selected one of the “the ten best new magazines” by The American Library Journal from more than a thousand new publications. Now in its seventh year in publication, Black Issues Book Review is aggressively charting its long-term future as the only magazine devoted exclusively to African-American interests in book publishing. In March 2006, BIBR was acquired by Target Market News, Inc., a Chicago-based news and research company that specializes in tracking African-American marketing and media. Ken Smikle, president of the firm, became the magazine's publisher.

Each issue includes reviews of popular fiction and non-fiction, self-published titles, children's literature and books from university presses. Regular features include Between the Lines, affectionately known as BTL, the inside scoop on what’s happening in the publishing industry; Flying Off the Shelves, a listing of the best-selling African American titles; Faith, inspirational, motivational and spiritual-based books; in addition to the monthly reviews of popular, literary, and experimental fiction, nonfiction, self-published, poetry and children’s literature, BIBR provides up-to-date news on forthcoming author events, publications, conferences, shows and exhibits.

Black Issues Book Review is distributed through paid subscriptions and newsstand sales in major book retailers and independent African American bookstores. Black Issues Book Review is an excellent source in building “word of mouth” for today's African-American authors and books.


     

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