Black Issues Book Review

History and profile

Black Issues Book Review was founded in late 1998 by William E. Cox, Adrienne Ingrum, and Susan McHenry. Cox had been the publisher of Black Issues in Higher Education, which ran a single book review in each issue. He wanted to expand its coverage of books, but after considering the large number of books aimed at Black readers, he came to the conclusion that a new magazine would be more appropriate. Ingrum was a book industry veteran, with nearly 20 years of experience in publishing and book-selling. McHenry had served in editorial positions at several magazines, including Black Enterprise, Essence, and Ms.

Library Journal named Black Issues Book Review one of the 10 best new magazines of 1998. The New York Times reported that the magazine sold 40,000 copies of each issue in 2000. By 2004, according to Publishers Weekly, Black Issues Book Review had circulation of 75,000.

In 2005, Black Issues Book Review entered into a partnership with QBR The Black Book Review, a quarterly book review founded in 1992 by Max Rodriguez, whose publishers also managed an annual book fair in Harlem. QBR was merged into Black Issues Book Review.

Target Market News purchased Black Issues Book Review in March 2006. Later that year, Target Market News announced that it would begin publishing Blacks & Books, a monthly supplement for newspapers such as the New York Amsterdam News and the Philadelphia Tribune that serve African-American readers. Blacks & Books was to be produced by members of the Black Issues Book Review staff.

The September–October 2007 issue of Black Issues Book Review was its final issue.

Notes

References

1. Jones, Daniel H.. (2001). "How to Write a Best-Seller While Keeping Your Day Job!". iUniverse.
2. (March 13, 2000). "Borders.com, Black Issues Book Review Announce Editorial Alliance". PR Newswire.
3. McGee, Celia. (October 12, 1998). "Editor Puts Spotlight on Black Literature". [[New York Daily News]].
4. Patrick, Diane. (February 2, 2004). "Black Book Bible Turns Five". [[Publishers Weekly]].
5. Bryant, Eric. (May 15, 1999). "The Best Magazines of 1998". [[Library Journal]].
6. Arnold, Martin. (March 16, 2000). "Black Reviews, Still a Secret". [[The New York Times]].
7. [http://www.nyslittree.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/DB.EntityDetail/EntityPK/2091.cfm "QBR The Black Book Review & The Harlem Book Fair"], New York State Literary Tree.
8. [http://www.qbr.com/hbf2014-exhibitor-application.aspx QBR — The Black Book Review.]
9. [http://www.thumperscorner.com/cgi/discus/board-admin.cgi?action=quick&do=print&HTTP_REFERER=5048/5637&postindex=27803 "QBR The Black Book Review and Black Issues Book Review Join Forces"], Thumper's Corner ([[AALBC.com]]), June 9, 2005.
10. Reid, Calvin. (July 18, 2005). "Black Reviews, Harlem Fair Merge". [[Publishers Weekly]].
11. Johnson, Troy, [http://aalbc.com/blog/index.php/2011/11/28/best-african-american-literary-magazines/ "What Happened to the Best African American Literary Magazines?"], AALBC.com, November 28, 2011.
12. Townes, Glenn. (May 3, 2006). "Target Market News Buys Black Issues Book Review". [[New York Amsterdam News]].
13. McGee, Celia. (November 11, 2006). "For Readers, A New Forum for Black Literature". [[The New York Times]].
14. Johnson, Troy. (December 11, 2013). "Black Issues Book Review". [[AALBC.com]].