Running to Fall, a suspenseful mystery novel by acclaimed author Kalisha Buckhanon, marks the debut publication of AALBC Aspire, the new publishing imprint of the African American Literature Book Club (AALBC.com).
Featured in publications such as Essence and The Root, Running to Fall has been making waves since its launch in November 2022. This compelling tale has already received high praise, earning the prestigious distinction of being named an Amazon Editors’ Pick in December 2022. Additionally, it was honored with a Silver Award at the Independent Book Publishers Association awards in May 2023.
Running to Fall is very likely the only book written, edited, designed, printed, and published by Black people to win a major award in the past year.
Kalisha Buckhanon’s RUNNING TO FALL Becomes First Novel Published by AALBC.com, Nation’s Oldest Website Dedicated to Black Authors and Books
Kalisha Buckhanon’s literary mystery/suspense novel Running to Fall launched the new AALBC.com publishing imprint AALBC Aspire in November 2022. Featured in Essence Magazine and The Root, among others, the book was named an Amazon Editors’ Pick in December 2022 and was a Silver Award winner at the Independent Book Publishers Association awards in May 2023. Troy Johnson founded AALBC.com in 1998. The book was published in part to celebrate 25 years of AALBC.
Johnson utilized a Black editor (Tessera Editorial), designer (On Point Book Design) and printer (BCP Digital Printing) to bring the project to life. Alcoholism among women, apathy to missing Black person’s cases, the foster care system and virtual unreality are among the novel’s many themes.
Running to Fall is the story of Tragedy and Victor Powell, a media power couple who move to the desirable but dark Grayson Glens enclave of dream homes just outside of Chicago. As one of only a few Blacks in their elite gated community, they reel when a missing young Black woman is found dead nearby. The community effects are profound. Tragedy’s drinking escalates and her marriage is put to the test. The storyline and diverse cast represent what Buckhanon saw missing in publishing.
“We’ve had several bestselling Black authors inspire the representation of upwardly mobile Black characters as acceptable in some commercial fiction, but such characters remain slighted if not invisible in what the publishing industry deems literary and in genre fictions,” Buckhanon says. “This book’s publication shows it is possible to work within our own black enterprises to change that.” Buckhanon’s other novels include Speaking of Summer, with over 100 positive online and print media features including in TIME and O Magazine, and Upstate, the American Library Association and National Book Foundation-honored novel with an award-winning audiobook narrated by the late Chadwick Boseman. From 2014 to 2018 she appeared on ID Channel, BET and TV One true crime shows as an expert. She will next appear at the legendary ThrillerFest conference in New York City on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. EST on a panel with bestselling novelists Walter Mosley, Lisa Unger and more. She is available for interviews, speaking engagements and features of the book.
About the Author New York Trend is a weekly news publication that focuses on issues and lifestyles of the African & Caribbean American communities throughout the New York metropolitan area and Nassau and Suffolk Counties of Long Island. It is a respected and well recognized news publication that has been in existence since 1989. Owner, Publisher and Executive Director, Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams has been at the helm of this award-winning publication since its inception. New York Trend continues to be the only black woman-owned, metropolitan newspaper in New York and Long island. New York Trend is the largest black-owned newspaper throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. |