Upper Marlboro, Md, May 2007 In response to what she sees as a dearth of quality African American nonfiction and serious ethnic fiction titles,Diane Williams, wife of author Stafford L. Battle, has become a publisher, launching 22nd Century Press, an independent house committed to contemporary multicultural literature.
Based in Mitchellville, MD which is in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, the press will release up to six books a year. 22nd Century Press's first release is AfroCyberspace: 1000+ Websites That Will Enrich Your World by Stafford L. Battle and Rey O. Harris, the follow-up to their African American Guide to the Internet (1996, McGraw Hill).
The company plans to provide unparalleled support to the uninitiated writer. 22nd Century Press has already produced several Black Author Showcase™ events in efforts to promote not just their titles, but also other small publishers and self-published authors. They partner with authors to get their product in front of readers in a variety of ways. “Unfortunately for most writers, they think once the manuscript is done their work is over. Nothing could be further from the truth. That’s why we created the showcase event and are also working on several other innovative projects that will help authors continue to sell regularly,” Battle said.
“Everything we do, we share with others” says Williams, who has a multimedia guide to self-publishing upcoming in the summer 2010 catalog. “As I was researching the changes in the publishing business to promote the company, I realized that this information is needed by all writers and would be authors,” she said. In that vein, she has also created a free online author’s community – the Black Author Showcase Community, to share publishing information, promote authors, artists, and freelance editorial professionals and connect with readers.
Battle and Harris were instrumental in the 90’s in creating the successful “Book to the Future” conference that featured Ivan Van Sertima and Sonia Sanchez at the University of the District of Columbia. Stafford Battle is a graduate of several professional publishing courses at Stanford and Howard Universities, besides his work as a journalist and author. Diane Williams is a long time technologist, consultant, writer, and trainer in information technology.
22nd Century Press is currently accepting manuscripts for future catalogs and is also finalizing its distributor selection. The press will utilize a number of talented editorial freelancers from the metropolitan area. The 2009 list will include Federal City View, a book of photographical essays from Ralph Spencer, an autobiography from a prominent local physician, a speculative fiction novel, Insane Messiah; and a multi media entry, “. . . because the industry is quickly changing. Books are not just paper, but interactive DVDs, ebooks, podcasts and more. Our technical expertise keeps our products on the edge of what’s out there now and beyond. You know, the 22nd Century.”
CONTACT:
Diane Williams
info (at) 22ndCenturyPress.com
202-276-8876
12138 Central Avenue, Suite 223
Mitchellville, MD 20721
www.22ndCenturyPress.com
