Thinking Out Loud, June 21, 2008
By APOOO • Jun 21st, 2008 • Category: Thinking Out Loud •
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Am I Being Naive?
Why is Obama deciding not to take public financing such an issue and getting so much attention from the media? Other than he changed his mind…on something that I thought made sense…what am I missing here?
WHY IS THIS SUCH A BIG DEAL…thoughts people?
Okay and now for literary concerns…
Will the high cost of gas, food and other necessities, eventually start to affect your book-buying habits? Do you foresee buying fewere books in the future and, if so, what other options will you use? Will you borrow more books from the library or choose to swap books with friends. Yesterday, at the Black Writer’s Reunion and Conference, an author mentioned that she and a girlfriend have similar reading taste so they stretch their book budgets by buying different titles and then sharing them with each other. What about you…what are you doing?
Literary Facts
Did You Know This?
Omar Tyree is a New York Times best-selling author who has published 15 books and has sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide.
That this Philadelphian-born author jumpstarted the urban fiction craze over a dozen years ago with Flyy Girl?
Or This…
‘For the record, I never called my work “street literature” and I never will. When I began to publish ground breaking contemporary novels with Flyy Girl in 1993, and Capital City in 1994, I called them “urban classics.” They were “urban” because they dealt with people of color in the inner-city or “urban” population areas. They were “classics” because I considered myself one of the first to start the work of a new era. But now, after sixteen years and sixteen novels in the African-American adult urban fiction game, I feel like the man who created the monster Frankenstein. Things have gotten way out of hand. So it’s now time to put up my pen and move on to something new, until the readership is ready to develop a liking for fresh material on other subjects.’–Omar Tyree
As I was surfing the Net, I came across an article written by Omar Tyree titled “An Urban Street Lit Retirement.” Yet another article about street lit and its popularity…to the chagrin of many who don’t like it or are on the down low about reading it. LOL. In the article, Tyree mentions that he doesn’t knock authors like Teri Woods, Shannon Holmes, Vickie Stringer, Nikki Turner, and K’wan for writing their stories but he does ask “Don’t we have some other things to write about it?” Tyree shoots from the hip and says that readers are basically to blame for the street lit books and not publishers. “That replacement of significant voice had nothing to do with the publishers preferring “street lit” over “responsible lit.” It had all to do with an urban audience who preferred grit over polish.” Any surprises here? But more importantly…if you stick it out and read until the end of the article, here’s what Tyree leaves us with: he’s getting out of the game because he refuses to sell his readers the same poison they’ve become addicted to– street lit and sex novels. Do you believe he’s really getting out of the game or that this is a publicity stunt to get us to buy more of his next book titled Pecking Order which comes out in September 2008.
Thinking Out Loud…and the View From APOOO…I wonder if the low sales of some of Tyree’s books were not because of the genre (eg contemporary fiction)…but because of the storylines and what they lacked. Honestly, I once owned every book that Tyree wrote, but I had tried to read more than I ever finished. Tried to Read: 8 Read: 3 and one of the ones I read and stuck was so not my cup of tea that when I finished the book I returned it to the store for a REFUND. ( I did not like For the Love of Money/Flyy Girl Sequel and it wasn’t for the reasons that Tyree gave in his article. For me it was because there was no conflict, climax–I was ready for Tracy to grow up and didn’t believe that she had to do a 180 and become completely conservative in the process…so much so that the book was just boring for me.)
To read the rest of the article CLICK HERE.
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Re: Obama and public funding:
Why should he? Is it his fault that McCan’s funding is low? Is it his (Obama’s) fault that many are afraid of another Busch term? I don’t think so. This is just the first shot in the war to discredit Obama.
My literary buying-will decrease as 1. I am not fond of a lot of what is out there. I want a bit more substance in my reading. 2. I am on fixed income and cannot afford to pay $20+ for a book no matter how much I like the book. 3. With the cost of gasoline, I cannot run all over the area looking for books I will enjoy hence also a reduction in reading, and I LOVE to read.
Omar Tyree – — Sigh —- while I used to enjoy some of his books the last one I read, Leslie got on my last nerve and I have not read another since, and have no intention of reading another. Maybe he is burned out, or cannot think of what to write about effectively, whatever, all I know is …..his writing no longer holds any interest for me.
I just wrote a long, heartfelt, detailed comment and when I hit submit there was an error and it was all lost!
So to recap briefly…
-If a book is more than $15, I cringe unless it is an author that I know and trust and have been following for some time.
-Omar Tyree’s writing has changed. Flyy Girl was my favorite, but no sequels were necessary. It reminds me of how Eric Jerome Dickey’s style has changed so much so that I stopped following him about 4 books ago.
Monica Marie Jones
Author of “The Ups and Downs of Being Round,” “Taste My Soul, ” and “FLOSS”
http://www.myspace.com/flossthenovel
http://www.monicamariejones.com
http://www.lulu.com/monicamjones
I believe that writers just grow, change, and take different directions with their work. I don’t believe that whether we buy their work or not has anything to do with any of the new genres that are emerging. I am just glad that we are exercising our right to read and write, a privilege that some of our ancestors where not so blessed to have.
Ok, first off … They really need to back off Barack and the finances; but this is going to get uglier as the campaign moves on to November – especially when Hillary and Barack begin working together on the road to the White House.
I bought two soft cover books a few weeks ago and have resort to book swapping – my niece is letting me borrow her copy of Tannanarive Due’s Blood Colony – as she should…if I calculate how many books turned up ‘missing’ from my book cases over the years, lol!
Publicity stunt…
I’m sorry, I have never been a big Omar Tyree fan. I choose Eric Jerome Dickey anyday…although, I will admit that for the first time, it took me longer to read his latest – Pleasure – I borrowed it from a friend and it took a minute for me to go back and forth. That has NEVER happened when I read his work.
And it is getting so hard to find good fiction these days period…If I get a couple of books now, they are basically non-fiction…it was always a mixed bag of genre but I am really leaning in nonfiction writes.
Rosa–I know why does it matter how he finances his campaign…I mean seriously am I missing something…???
I feel ya sis…but book swapping might be an option for me…esp. since I give my books away after I finish them anyway…lol.
Yep Omar…I really wonder what his motive is…the marketer in me says its a ploy…lol.
Oh no…I’m sorry to hear that your comment was lost.
Regarding book prices…I’m okay as long as they’re $25 or less…but not sure of how realistic that is with the higher cost of living these days.
Regarding Eric…I’m probably in the minority…but I LOVE how he’s able to write o/side of the contemporary fiction, sister girl theme. Now there are some books of late that I haven’t cared for…but I still like more than not.
I believe that the change in writing styles today is a combination of growth…change…different direction and trying to meet consumer demand in order to make a living.
Lisa…yep it’s going to get worst as we get closer to November; hope Obama has something good for McCain…sigh.
Let me know what you think of Due’s book…I DEFINITELY plan to purchase this one.
Yeah Omar is very polarizing…folks either love him or hate him…lol.
Pleasure…no one in my inner circle has had anything good to say about that one…sigh.
Non-fiction…working on a list…will share it with you when I’m finished.
IIn regards to buying books i think that book sharing will be at all time high. I am looking into publishing my own book and one of the things I ran into was I was going to have to charge 20.00 for soft back. I had to tell the one, i as an avid reader and buyer of books wouldnt’t pay 20.00 for a unproven author, so i can’t ask no one else too. As my friend says to me daily “Gas is too high” to get anything that ain’t a guarantee.
I didn’t even know Tyree was still around, but that’s a whole other thing, LOL
I, basically, agree with everything he said that you mentioned in your post. If readers didn’t buy urban and erotica at the frenzy they do, it wouldn’t be the “popular” genres. I’m not sure if he could even consider himself an “urban classic” – classic is something that is GIVEN to a work after time. Being the first makes you a pioneer, not a classic. And I move from that – lol – before I write a book on THAT. I was just asking a friend, “How many ways can one tell the same erotic or urban story?” I’ve never been a real fan of either genre, and it’s not me whining about these genres because they are hot and I don’t write in them, either, LOL People always want to throw THAT out into the universe! I’m just a “life writer” who wants to look at ALL facets of life – not just the two that, coincidentally enough, pervade the stereotype of the black experience. We’re more than that – the world deserves to see all those beautiful arenas, too. The end (lol).
Kotanya…yep keep a paperback book priced around $15…otherwise there will be a lot of sharing and not a whole lot of buying…hehe.
Shon…rotflmao regarding that Omar comment…and regarding popularity…I think it’s all street-lit as I’m having a devil of a time coming up with 31 erotic books for next month’s theme (Between the Sheets) lol. I like your moniker ‘life writer’ can I borrow it.
Miss APOOO,
Borrow it all you want.
And yeah, I think you’re right about the “all street lit”. It’s ALL over.
Well I have toned down my buying a lot ever since I became a reviewer. However, I do indulged from time to time. Everything seems to be going up in price. I was at a book club meeting and one of the members brought a book written by one of her friends who would like for us to select it for one of the selections. I remember when the author was giving us a brief summary, she told us it took two plus years to write this book. When I looked at this book tonight I said I’m not reading it. Why? Because it is $13 and only 171 pages. Hell to the nah! I need more filling between the covers.
I go to the library a lot and borrow many things. Thank goodness.
As far as Omar Tyree, sorry I won’t miss him. I read Flyy Girl and loved it. I tried to read For The Love of Money and couldn’t. Not so interesting after all. I read some street lit and I don’t feel overwhelmed by it at all. Because I don’t read everything I see.
Perhaps Obama wants to model change by demonstrating his independence from public financing.
I’ve never been a fan of Omar Tyree. He has a few valid points on the urban/street lit, while at
the same time self-promoting his books. Maybe the money is drying up for him, since there are
so many urban/street lit authors around.
As for buying books, I will continue to buy AA children’s books because that is a market that needs all the sales and support it can get. As for adult books, I will check them out in the library, and if I can
catch a “good” sale, I will buy some of the good books for my personal library.
rotflmao…feeling you sis and one of the advantages of reviewing is FREE books…lol.
xoxo
Hey Karen, I definitely agree that Obama wants to model change and I pray that he stays the course because that’s why I’m supporting him.
Re: Obama Funding
Why do expeditious spending and a well-mapped campaign spell political trouble for an intellecually moral and dedicated candidate of color? Ooops! Did I just answer my own question?
On Obama and Public Funding: Per usual it is much ado about nothing…wouldnt be an issue if it weren’t Obama…he knows what works best for his campaign and has proven he can get funded!
Bookbuying: Being a reviewer has helped me cut down on some of my book spending, however, I will still purchase those authors I love, I will do tradeoffs, skip a few lunches out, buy a book…no starbucks for three days…buy a book…
I read that article by Tyree…I don’t really know what to say…
BLESSINGS,
angelia
On Obama and funding, I agree with most of the posts that anything he will do will be scrutinized under a microscope.
I will probably borrow more books from the library too, due to the “recession”. It’s also a good way for me to stay in contact with my public library since they support me and buy books. When I attend book events, I usually do a book swap with self-publisher authors. Lately, I’ve been in bookstores.
Regarding, Mr. Tyree, for some reason I have yet to fathom, I have only liked every other book that he’s written. I don’t know why but that has been the case for me since Fly Girl. So I don’t know that his retirement will affect me. A writer gotta do, what he’s gotta do!
I think they need to leave Barack alone.. that’s all I have to say on that one.
Omar Tyree.. publicity stunt. I hosted a book signing with him, (Just Say No was the book) and he turned me and several others off that day.. I haven’t bought any of his books since then. I believe the poor sales has brought this on.
Gail–Tell It!
Angelia–No lunches for Three Days, No Starbucks…buy a book…lol.
Michelle–Agree a writer got to do what a writer got to do…now if he could do it quietly and gracefully…lol.
Cilla–Speak the Truth sis…and more than a few folks in the past have mentioned his terrible attitude…sigh.
Hey folks…baawaa…I’m stuck in the Charlotte Airport and not sure I’m going to get home tonight…please send up prayers.
xoxo
I buy a book a pay, across the board though, I like to read a little bit of everything!
Omar– After Fly Girl, the thrill was gone.
I expect every thing that has, is , and will be thrown at Obama until November.
Currently praying that you’ve made it home safe and sound, sis!
Peace and Balance!!!
It’s funny that we are discussing Omar Tyree because me and my friend just had a HUGE disagreement about him this weekend. She called me all excited about seeing Tyree new book. She said it looks like he’s on some gangster ish. Well obviously after reading this article, I don’t think so. I told her no disrespect, but the last decent book Omar had was Fly Girl. She said that’s not true; I said that’s in the matter of your opinion however he could have kept For the Love of money which was the sequel to fly girl. He says people were disappointed because it didn’t give that same street as Fly girl. I mean let’s be honest, we(I mean I) thought for the love of money was a big let down. For the Love of money was so bad I did not even want to buy the sequel Boss Lady, and I did not. I am so sorry, but I was not impressed with Diary of a groupie. I felt like maybe he should have really researched how a groupie really really get’s down, but in the book it was potrayed as boring to me. Leslie(thank god it was the library copy) I could not get into that book; it seemed to me like it was going everywhere, but where it should have stayed focus it did not. I also was not impressed with Just say No. When you first started out with Fly girl you were one of my favorite authors, but then it was like you something was just lost in the sauce somewhere.
Julia–After Fly Girl the thrill was gone…hehe…I heard that!
Hello Chas B and thanks for stopping by and definitely feeling you on what you said. And Leslie…what was that…more research was needed regarding th New Orleans culture and voodoo as it really lacked a lot.