Publisher: Dey Street Books (HarperCollins)
Genre: Black & African American History
Formats: $32.50 hardcover | $15.99 ebook | $27.99 audio
Released: September 19, 2023
Michael Harriot is an economist, writer, and cultural critic who covers the intersection of race, politics, and social issues. His work has appeared in the Washington Post and The Atlantic, as well as on NBC, BET, and his mother’s refrigerator. Famously called “the King of Black Twitter,” Harriot also served as a writer for the Amber Ruffin Show. His college course Race: An Economic Construct was adapted by university economics departments across the country as a model for teaching the combination of history, economics, politics, and class structures. Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America is his second book, preceded by a novel, The Situation in South Carolina.
Combining unapologetically provocative storytelling with meticulous research, Black AF History places Black people squarely at the center of American history. Harriot speaks hilarious truth to oppressive power, subverting conventional historical narratives with little-known stories about the experiences of Black Americans.
When asked what contributed to his book landing on the New York Times bestseller list, Harriot said: “Having a large social media following who follows me for the specific kind of content that is in Black AF History certainly didn’t hurt. I think I’ve been able to curate an audience that knows and appreciates my writing.” Black AF History is the culmination of Harriot’s long career as a reporter and cultural critic to date, building on the same themes and voice, and his online activity reinforces him as a subject matter expert.
When it came time to promote the book, Harriot added the title and release date to his bio wherever he wrote, to raise awareness. But he did not rely on his established following alone. Harriot also sought engagements specifically to talk about the book, guesting on podcasts like Larry Wilmore Black on the Air and Make It Plain; appearing on TV interview spots like The ReidOut; garnering coverage in outlets including NPR and BET; and participating in a book tour to major cities all over the country. His promotion across his social media included frequent interaction with readers.
Asked what advice he would give to other authors, Harriot said, “I think authors have to realize that they know their audience and their material better than anyone, so they should write, advertise, and implement strategies that reach and speak directly to their audience.”
Emily Wenstrom is a freelance writer and platforming expert and writes award-winning speculative fiction for teens and adults as E. J. Wenstrom.
E. J. Wenstrom believes in complicated heroes, horrifying monsters, purple hair dye and standing to the right on escalators so the left side can walk. She writes dark speculative fiction for adults and teens, including her new release, a young adult dystopian novel titled Departures (August 10, 2021). When she isn’t writing fiction, E. J. Wenstrom is a regular contributor to DIY MFA and BookRiot, and co-hosts the Fantasy+Girl Podcast. Learn more at her website.
