Black Lit Studies Findings #1

• Since 2016, single-authored books in African American literary studies are overwhelmingly produced by one-time contributors rather than repeat specialists.

• Of 180 distinct authors who published scholarly books since 2016, 164 (91%) appear only once, while just 5 authors — Robert S. Levine, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Emily Ruth Rutter, Imani Perry, and Tara T. Green — each published three books. 

• Since 2016, scholars of African American literature have continued producing important biographical works.

• Scholarly book production does not steadily increase over time; instead, publication totals can fluctuate considerably.

• Contrary to the perception that New York and Northeastern publishers, university presses in the South, including Duke University Press, the University Press of Mississippi, and the University of North Carolina Press, emerged as major producers of scholarly books.

Related:

• Black Lit Studies Findings