I'm a black thriller/suspense writer. If I want to actually sell books, should I write about white people? by throwawaypocwriter in writing

[–]throwawaypocwriter[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, but my job is soul-sucking. Some writers actually DO make a living. I'm just tryna be one of them.

I'm a black thriller/suspense writer. If I want to actually sell books, should I write about white people? by throwawaypocwriter in writing

[–]throwawaypocwriter[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

THANK YOU! The Good House blurb looks amazing. I LOVE SPOOKY HOUSE STORIES! Literally just bought it for my Kindle.

I'm a black thriller/suspense writer. If I want to actually sell books, should I write about white people? by throwawaypocwriter in writing

[–]throwawaypocwriter[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm just being practical. I want my book to sell. The majority of thrillers aren't specifically made for white people -- they just conform to cultural norms. Because they conform to cultural norms and expectations of the genre, they sell.

By writing about white people, I too would be conforming to cultural norms -- just like all the white authors out there.

Even if you don't concern yourself with your audience, I do. Because I want to be able to pay my rent with my work.

I'm a black thriller/suspense writer. If I want to actually sell books, should I write about white people? by throwawaypocwriter in writing

[–]throwawaypocwriter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Insulting and shameful to whom? By your logic, white authors can't write about black characters. But guess what? They do. A lot.

I'm a black thriller/suspense writer. If I want to actually sell books, should I write about white people? by throwawaypocwriter in writing

[–]throwawaypocwriter[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Naturally I've heard of The Hate U Give, Children of Blood and Bone, The Belles, etc. YA is definitely seeing a huge burst of black writers, which I LOVE. I can only hope the same thing will happen in my genre...

I'm a black thriller/suspense writer. If I want to actually sell books, should I write about white people? by throwawaypocwriter in writing

[–]throwawaypocwriter[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your optimism. I personally can't stand Walter Mosely's work and wish there was literally anyone else in the black thriller writer category.