And the title is . . . An Angry Ass Black Woman!!!

Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've just gotten the final word, the title of my new book will be An Angry Ass Black Woman, the title I'd originally given it.

Just some background . . . when the manuscript was first sold to Karen Hunter Publishing (an imprint of Simone & Schuster), it was sold as An Angry Ass Black Woman, and that is the title for the work on the book contract. That was back in January 2010.

I was supposed to turn the completed manuscript into them by June of that year, but then I got sick. Real sick. As in Multiple Sclerosis sick. My publisher is Karen Hunter, of Karen Hunter Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster), and she was totally understanding . . . telling me not worry about the deadline, just concentrate on getting well.

So, the book was finally turned in right after Thanksgiving 2011. But right before it was turned in Karen called and told me that Simon & Schuster was having issues with the title. They were concerned that Walmart would not accept the book because of the word "Ass." I was disappointed, and argued a while that we should insist since they do stock other books with that word, but then Karen told me that they were also concerned that the title would not appeal to white people.

I have to admit, I was stunned.

So okay, I wanted white folks to read my book . . . so I was willing to consider changing the title of my book. But then . . . they said they might not stock the book anyway because of the book's content.

Now that puzzled me. It's not pornographic, ya know? And it doesn't have racist material, or promote hate . . . so why wouldn't they stock it?

From what I could gleam from Simon & Schuster, Walmart was vague as to why . . . but it seems they think it might offend white people, even if the title were changed. Now, I don't say I hate white folks or anything like that in the book (because I don't!), but I do say that Black Women in the United States have a hard time. Personally, I think it's true.

And that's not to say that other groups don't have it bad . . . or that Black Women even have it worse than others. But the phrase "Angry White Women" never hit the American consciousness the way "Angry Black Women," has. I don't know that I get any more angry than they do, though.

However, it's important to remember the Bebe Moore Campbell book . . . Your Blues Ain't Like Mine. Well, it's true. There are things I suffer from that white folks just don't.

For instance it's true that every woman has to worry about their child's safety as soon as they walk out the door. But, I'ma tell you . . . they don't have to worry their child being deemed a suspicion person and being targeted by authorities simply because of their skin color. And, oh yeah . . . I don't want to hear that B. S. that it doesn't happen anymore. Can anyone say "Trayvon Martin?"

So, okay . . . I think Walmart is wrong. I don't think white people will be offended by my title, nor do I think they will not buy the book because they won't think it pertains to them . . . white women get angry just like black. But there is nothing I can do about Walmart's decision.

But . . . since Walmart will not likely stock the book anymore . . . we get to keep the title!!!!!!!!!!

Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The book will be published in October 2012 . . . I can't wait! Hope you guys are looking as forward to as I am. You can read an excerpt from the book by clicking . . . HERE

Hopefully . . . I'll be given a choice of covers soon; they're supposed to let me choose between three, and when I do I hope to have the readers pick which one will be used for the book. I think that will be cool!!!

Can't wait!

Karen