In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a literary revolution was underway in the most unlikely of places - urban America. Young girls and boys across the country, from buses and trains to park benches and beauty parlors, and barbershops were engrossed in reading urban fiction. These books featured provocative cover images and stories that shocked or intrigued onlookers, often delving into the gritty realities of life in urban neighborhoods. This marked the boom of urban fiction, a genre that resonated with readers like never before.
The Birth of Urban Fiction
Urban fiction was born from the experiences of its authors, who either wrote about their own lives or the lives of those close to them. These authors, lacking guidance and formal writing experience, often produced books with minimal editing. However, the relatable storylines captured the hearts of readers, who forgave the occasional lack of polish. Editing services were almost non-existent for these books, as traditional editing companies rejected them, not understanding or supporting the genre.
The Rise of Street Vendors
Authors took matters into their own hands, selling their books directly to readers out of the trunks of their cars and setting up shop on street corners, especially in New York City. This grassroots approach quickly spread to other cities and states, with book vendors becoming a common sight. Authors learned the business as they went, and readers themselves began to act as editors, improving the quality of the books.
From Streets to Mainstream
As the genre gained popularity, street book vendors formed a bridge with chain stores like Barnes & Noble, Walden Books, and Borders. Suddenly, these books were no longer confined to street corners; they were on the shelves of major retailers. Mainstream publishing houses, initially dismissive of the genre, took notice when they saw these books outselling their own titles. They began signing the top authors, hoping to replicate their success.
The Gift and Curse of Publishing Deals
While publishing deals seemed like a golden ticket for authors, they came with limitations. Authors couldn't self-publish under their pen names for several years, so they were detached from their loyal readership base. This disconnect left some authors forgotten, buried alive in the world of mainstream publishing.
The Independent Resurgence
On the independent side, business continued as usual. More authors joined the genre, and books thrived on the streets and in small, independent bookstores as well as chain stores. Independent distributors played a crucial role in connecting authors with retailers, but they faced unforeseen challenges, particularly with return policies from chain stores. These return policies had a devastating impact on the distributors and the authors alike.
The Return Policy Nightmare
The return policy from chain stores hit the distributors like a sledgehammer. Distributors had already paid authors hundreds of thousands, and even millions, for their books with no clue that a significant portion of these books would be sent back to them. This unexpected turn of events, coupled with unethical business practices and the financial strain of the return policy, pushed the number one distributor into filing for bankruptcy.This left independent authors without a distribution network, stranded and desperate.
Desperation in the Independent Market
Independent authors, once thriving, now found themselves at the mercy of store owners who saw an opportunity to capitalize on their desperation. Store owners demanded that authors drop their wholesale prices significantly if they wanted their books stocked in their stores. Many authors, out of desperation, complied with these demands.
The Value of the Genre Declines
As authors slashed prices to get their books into stores, the value of the genre, both in the independent and mainstream sectors, began to decline. The mainstream publishers, thinking they had the genre figured out, took advantage of the authors' plight, offering smaller and less favorable publishing deals. These deals were increasingly unattractive to authors, who had once seen mainstream success as the pinnacle of their careers.
The Return to Independence
Today, many authors have returned to their independent roots, as the once-booming mainstream industry has lost its allure. The genre that the independents once controlled slipped through their fingers, only to be used and discarded by mainstream publishing houses. Urban fiction may have experienced a tumultuous journey, but its impact on literature and culture remains undeniable. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by grassroots movements in literature and the importance of staying true to one's roots, even in the face of mainstream success.