Who better to honor writers than another writer? Tamika Newhouse, author, publisher, and consultant provided The Culture Canon with some insight into the 2016 AAMBC Literary Awards.
The 8th Annual African Americans on the Move Book Club (AAMBC) Literary Award Show will be held June 11, 2016 on Georgia Tech's campus in Atlanta, GA. The AAMBC Literary Awards is the premiere award show catering to African American fiction writers. The event brings together celebrities, authors, and readers in support of Black books. The weekend events will include a mixer, mass book signing, red carpet reception, and an all male revue. Tickets can be purchased at aambcawards.com.
The Culture Canon: What is the purpose of the awards?
Tamika Newhouse: Music, television shows, movies, and books would not exist without the likes of a writer. So why not honor them like the real stars that they are? The AAMBC Awards show was formed to give a platform to artist who are often overlooked. I wanted to honor those writers in fiction, publishing, blogging, and entertainment the chance to be treated like stars in an extravagant red carpet setting.
The Culture Canon: Why is this type of event needed?
T.N.: For years we have watched music award shows, the Oscars, the NAACP Image Awards, the Tony Awards, and so on. But there has always been a gap missing. The creators of these projects! Our writers aren't glorified, in the press and media, or limelight. And often many writers do not want the stardom but wouldn't mind the honor. With the AAMBC Literary Awards, we will not only honor our writers but celebrate them.
The Culture Canon: Who are some of the notable authors in this year's award show?
T.N.: Omar Tyree, Mary B. Morrison, Joy Deja King, Mary Monroe, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Staci Jai, and Victoria Christopher Murray.
The Culture Canon: What is the current state of the black author / writer?
T.N.: Surprisingly our Black writers still lack a platform with mainstream media; however Black Books is a multi-million dollar business. Millions of books by Black authors are downloaded every year. Our efforts are to tell the world about them and not just our own.
The Culture Canon: Do you feel like with today's technology that people still appreciate printed literature?
T.N.: Yes, you have many people that love a paperback book but with the demand for great books writers tend to write and publish more. Downloading books become cost effective. A reader will only purchase a paperback book for two reasons; they are a big fan of the writer or the writer sold them the book directly.
The Culture Canon: What is the current landscape of the book club culture?
T.N.: Book clubs are still out there. They are the engine to a lot of writers drive simply because they organize groups, meetings, and events all in the name of supporting Black writers. Many book clubs attend events together, and travel together. Book clubs are not just a group of people talking about a good book. They are our shot callers, our advertisers, and our direct sales representatives. They are very important to the state of Black books.