Book industry history makers.

WHY ARE THESE UNFAMILIAR faces on the cover of this, our 7th anniversary and annual Black History Month issue? That's what you may be wondering. If so, your question is valid.

The answer is that we at BIBR believe that these individuals, and the dozens of others who are not on the list but mentioned in our cover story (page 20) are history makers, and we salute them. While not nearly as visible as the authors, we bring you on the pages of each issue of our magazine, these publishing professionals, agents, entrepreneurs, conference organizers, booksellers and distributors, have tirelessly given the world--yes, check out the intercontinental reach of individuals like Kassahun Checole--the gift of black books.

BIBR extends our deepest gratitude to all of you! Without your excellent work over many decades, we would not have the rich reading culture we celebrate on this anniversary, and Black History Month would be far less concrete.

Although we cover black history every month, we have worked hard to highlight specific topics for February. This year, the focus is on slavery, including Kim McLarin's article on how more novelists seem to be braving the subject of slavery (page 40). We've also provided a listing of some of the most recent nonfiction books on the subject; it's a long list because it is a subject that continues to receive a huge amount of attention from scholars and publishers--as well it should.

Among our other Black History Month offerings are Nia Ngina Meeks's BIBLIOMANE (page 46) on the historic ties between African and Native American people; Ingrid Sturgis's report on the Swann Galleries' annual sale of historic works on paper that will be of great interest to book collectors (page 52); and Steven G. Fullwood's well-researched piece on the valuable holdings of historically black college libraries (page 48).

We reported in our previous issue that Black Issues Book Review had joined with Amber Communications Group, Inc. and other African Americans in the book industry in a drive to send books to those displaced by the Gulf Coast hurricanes. That effort, now called the Katrina Literary Collective, has put more than 70,000 books into the hands of those who need them. The organizers urge independent publishers, book clubs, authors, literary services, libraries, editors and major publishing houses to continue to donate books for the survivors. E-mail Tony Rose at [e-mail], Heather Covington at [e-mail] or Katura Hudson at [e-mail] for further information.

Finally, as we begin 2006, we encourage you to savor the calendar of book events (page 30) that will take place this year across the nation. We trust BIBR will be your guide to reading AND the host who introduces you to new companions and gatherings in your reading journeys this year.

Sincerely,

William E. Cox President/Editor-in-Chief