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Sourcebooks is teaming up with Ebony Magazine Publishing, the publishing arm of the Ebony brand, for a partnership that will highlight the Ebony brand's 75-year history as a leading voice in areas of social justice, entertainment and African American culture. Plans are to publish four to eight adult fiction and nonfiction books a year.
Lavaille Lavette, president and publisher of Ebony Magazine Publishing, said, "This collaboration will celebrate a broad spectrum of Black voices through powerful fiction and nonfiction stories with authors who represent and speak to the full spectrum of our culture."
Dominique Raccah, Sourcebooks publisher and CEO, commented: "We are thrilled to be partnering with Ebony to showcase the extraordinary work of Black authors and celebrate Black stories. Books change lives, and Ebony Magazine Publishing will be life-changing for authors and readers alike."
Black Hollywood: Reimagining Iconic Movie Moments by photographer Carell Augustus (October 2022) will be the first adult nonfiction title published under the partnership. The foreword is written by Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker and the afterword by Niecy Nash.
"At the end of the day, Black Hollywood is a statement about representation," Carell said. "It's really important to me that Black people, especially Black kids, see themselves in ways that I hadn't when I was growing up. If you never see yourself somewhere, it's hard to imagine ever being in that place. So, this isn't a book just for Black people--it's a book for all people about Black people. About the dreams we were never told we could achieve. About the places we were never told we could go. And now, finally, about how we can get there."
Ebony Magazine Publishing's first adult fiction publication, slated for November 2022, is book one in the Martyr Maker crime thriller series by actor, producer, director, and author Eriq La Salle (known for his role as Dr. Peter Benton on E.R.). La Salle had self-published the first two books in the series (Laws of Depravity, Laws of Wrath) while the third title, Laws of Annihilation, will be a new book.
"Unfortunately, there has historically been a blatant underrepresentation of authors of color in the thriller/suspense genre," La Salle said. "The exciting collaboration between two well respected brands such as Ebony and Sourcebooks is a testament to their commitment to ushering in fresh voices and diverse perspectives. I am both honored and elated to have my thriller series selected to help launch this incredible endeavor of showcasing universally compelling stories that exist beyond race and gender."
Other planned adult fiction projects include the Millionaires Club series by romance author Sandra Kitt, who will become Ebony Magazine Publishing's flagship romance author, and Black States of America by D.E. Rogers. Future adult nonfiction projects include The Grift (February 2023) by journalist and radio host Clay Cane as well as Freda DeKnight's A Date with a Dish, described as "the definitive Black cookbook, featuring authentic regional recipes--classic and contemporary--from celebrities, influential chefs, and the African American community and celebrating the role Black cuisine has played throughout American history, as well as its cultural significance today."
Calendars will also be included in the publishing program, starting with the 2023 This Day in Black History wall and boxed calendars, publishing in August 2022. Publishing simultaneously with Black Hollywood is the 2023 Black Hollywood Wall Calendar: A Yearlong Exploration of Iconic Movie Moments Reimagined.