Every year, hundreds of thousands of new books are released and many of them are written by Black authors. Sadly, however, most books flop and don't sell more than 100-200 copies. But there are some authors who are able to sell thousands of copies, and generate a six figure income from their books. They've proven that you don't have to sign a multi-million dollar book deal to be a successful author!
Here are 6 African American books that have generated $100K or more in sales:
#1 - History of the Black Dollar - This book, independently published and written in 2017 by Angel Rich, founder of The Wealth Factory, has impressively generated more than $120K in sales. It reveals significant economic moments in history that have helped shape America – slavery, sharecropping, convict leasing, Little Rock Nine, Black Wall Street, Civil Rights, The Great Recession, Black Lives Matter and other important milestones.
#2 - Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History - Written by Vashti Harrison in 2017, this beautifully illustrated New York Times bestseller introduces readers of all ages to 40 women who changed the world. An important book for all ages, Little Leaders educates and inspires as it relates true stories of forty trailblazing black women in American history. It is one of the most popular (and profitable) books for 2017 and 2018 in the African American children's book category.
#3 - Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Escaped Slavery and Became Millionaires - Released in 2018 by author Shomari Wills, this book tells the little-known stories of six pioneering African American entrepreneurs, and makes a worthy contribution to black history, to business history, and to American history. It is the best-selling Black business book of the year!
#4 - An American Marriage: A Novel - Written by Tayari Jones, this book was endorsed by former President Obama and was selected for Oprah's 2018 Book Club which generated skyrocketing sales overnight. It's a moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple, and is one of the best-selling African American fiction novels of the year!
#5 - Becoming - Written by former First Lady Michelle Obama in 2018, this book will not be released until November 2018, but it has reportedly already generated more than $500K in pre-order sales. It's a memoir and a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, where Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her.
#6 - Dear Martin - Released in 2017 by Nic Jones, this New York Times bestselling debut is about an African American honor student who is always there to help a friend -- but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs.
This is just a partial list, but actually there are several more African American books that have generated more than $100K in sales in 2017-2018.