13 Top Selling Black Authors - Page 2

by Anton Polouektov

Spanning a variety of genres and sub-genres, African-American and/or Black literature is best seen as an umbrella term that defines not only the ethnic background of the authors but also a commitment to putting out a message that is relevant both within and outside the Black community. Readers may not agree with everyone whose name is on this list as the best representation of the genre, but these 13 authors are some of the best selling black authors of the past few years and they certainly have offered works that appeal to mainstream audiences.  So, as you can tell, this list hinges on book sales, rather than critical reviews. Without further ado, here are the 13 Black fiction and non-fiction writers who have enjoyed widespread popularity and “bestseller” status over the course of the last five years.

Teri Woods

Before she hit big as part of the “street lit” trend, Teri Woods was hustling. Her spirits were not dampened when her first book was rejected by a publisher. Instead, her entrepreneurial talents kicked into overdrive as she resolved to affirm herself as an author first by selling self-made copies of her book from her car’s trunk and later by establishing her own publishing house. Her instincts, it turned out, were on point, as her gritty urban novels quickly found a ready audience, establishing a wide reader base that propelled her to bestseller status. Woods’ writing skills and business acumen make her a force to be reckoned with on the literary arena.

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Kola Boof

A highly controversial figure, Kola Boof is perhaps best known for being the mistress of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, but her brief involvement with the terrorist mastermind is but one small part of the rich tapestry of her life. Born in strife-ridden Sudan, Boof moved to the United States at an early age after the murder of her parents, later becoming a poet, novelist, vocal supporter of feminism, and proponent of “womanist” thought. Her collections of animism-inspired poetry and her poignant autobiography have become instant bestsellers, though Boof herself continues to fuel controversy both in the United States and in her native Sudan.

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Nikki Turner

Balancing the struggles of motherhood and the challenges of a literary career can be a daunting task, but Nikki Turner pulls it off with flair and panache, ensuring a place for her novels on Essence Magazine’s bestseller list. Writing about the dangers that lurk in the shadows of street life from a woman’s perspective, Turner has been called the “Queen of Hip Hop Fiction,” and her novels continue to enjoy popularity and garner critical acclaim. Turner’s writing career has been further boosted by a literary line she launched after teaming up with the Random House publishing company in 2007.

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Tavis Smiley

Tavis Smiley is perhaps best known for his television career as a political commentator and talk show host, but he is also a driven entrepreneur, a committed philanthropist, and a bestselling author. Smiley is a staunch supporter of African-American social and political empowerment. “The Convenant with Black America” was one of his most notable contributions to the literary landscape,  striking a chord with many fans. Through his candid and powerful political writings, Smiley channels the voices of those who feel marginalized and alarmed by the course taken by the United States in recent years, ensuring the continued relevance of his message.

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Michael Baisden

An entertaining, energetic radio celebrity as well as a bestselling novelist, Michael Baisden is a man of many talents. On top of his experience as a talk radio host, Baisden also has a rich entrepreneurial background that has without a doubt colored his outlook on life. Over the course of his writing career, Baisden penned a number of books dealing primarily with romantic relationships, economic jeopardy, and sexual encounters. Although he has achieved success in many of his ventures, Baisden remains uncompromisingly ambitious, viewing the film arena as the next big step for his career.

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Jawanza Kunjufu

Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu is a dynamic, committed African-American educator whose continued efforts to improve the African-American educational experience and strengthen the foundations of the Black community have earned him high praise from students, teachers, parents, and community leaders. Having authored more than 20 books on subjects ranging from urban anthropology to African-American education issues, Dr. Kunjufu has certainly made his mark on the literary landscape where his works have enjoyed widespread popularity, topping a number of annual bestseller lists.

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Zadie Smith

English-born novelist Zadie Smith began her career with criticially-acclaimed “White Teeth,” a multifaceted exploration of London’s cultural diversity that attracted a lot of attention even before it was published in 1997, and has since established herself as one of the most promising contemporary Black writers. Her continued efforts to promote other young writers culminated in “The Burned Children of America,” a short-story collection that brought modern literary dynamics to the fore and 2005’s “On Beauty” marked one of the bestselling novels of the year.  Although she has only authored a few books, Zadie Smith has already proven herself to be a talented, insightful novelist and her rise to prominence is almost certain to continue.

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Cornel West

As one of America’s most outspoken and provocative progressive intellectuals, Cornel West has often made waves in academic circles and is no stranger to heated public debate. A talented speaker and writer, West is not afraid to stand up for his beliefs, having authored numerous analytical and philosophical works that have enjoyed widespread popularity amongst academics and laymen alike thanks to the resounding forcefulness of West’s message. West is also known for his political activism, publicly backing social and political movements that seek to precipitate change within the fabric of modern American society.

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Karrine Steffans

Karrine Steffans autobiography, Confessions of a Video Vixen, jump-started her literary career by giving readers exactly what they want – laden with piquant celebrity gossip and explicit descriptions of the author’s sexual exploits in the course of her career as a hip-hop dancer, Confessions of a Video Vixen made headlines and numerous bestseller lists. Following her explosive debut, Steffans continued to turn heads with two more bestselling book releases that delved deeper into exploring the glamorous hip-hop scene as well as her own persona.

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Zane

Without a doubt, Zane is one of the most prominent African-American fiction authors of the 21st century. This once-enigmatic New York Times Bestselling Author has enjoyed tremendous popularity since she began her writing career with a collection of erotic fiction stories in 1997. Zane’s works routinely fill out multiple spots in annual bestseller lists, having been credited with propelling erotic fiction into the mainstream literary market. In addition to being an author, Zane also heads her own publishing house, Strebor Books, and has served as the driving force behind numerous other business and entertainment ventures.

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Barack Obama

Barack Obama’s election to Presidential office redefined the relationship between race and politics in the United States, catapulting the young politician to instant star status. It is hardly a surprise, then, that his political biography, “The Audacity of Hope” quickly achieved bestseller status as readers across generations and party lines flocked to find out more about the man who defied all odds and achieved the seemingly impossible. With a focus on bipartisanship and consensus-making, the President’s books, alongside his other bestselling book “Dreams From My Father” resonated deeply with large sectors of the electorate, demonstrating the political clout that President Obama found himself commanding.

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Malcolm Gladwell

An ambitious journalist for The New Yorker and talented writer with a pronounced interest in psychology and the social sciences, Gladwell has written numerous books that have achieved bestseller status thanks to his unorthodox view of societal undercurrents and careful examination of psycho-social factors impacting the dynamics of social change in the modern world. Gladwell’s scientific work has seen its fair share of praise and criticism, but readers’ persistent interest in his conclusions shows that he has ample skill as a writer as well as a researcher. All of his books from The “Outliers” to “The Tipping Point,” remain on bestseller lists all over the world.