6/06/2013

Into The Lives Of Urban Fiction Writers

By Rena Hudson


Also known as urban street literature, this genre first developed during the eighties and has gained prominence in the last few years producing a generation of writers who have started a genre on the real life in an city setting. Many urban fiction writers feel they need to express themselves by writing about their real life experiences which include sex, violence and drugs. Some authors who have experienced poverty and drug abuse, choose to illustrate these social issues to the public.

Most of these stories are written with explicit language and sexual content and, gives an authentic description of the often bleak life inside the inner city. Many people often relate street fiction written by African American authors but what is unknown is that this type of fiction has also increased its audience of readers in France and Latin America. The Latino community in America have also contributed their stories by depicting the same social issues such as poverty, crime and also tackling issues such as race.

The genre of street fiction has also gained fame among religious groups and categories like Islamic and Christian urban fiction which have also gained an audience of readers. Normally, writers in these categories include the religious aspect of life in the city and speak about topics such as faith and tradition.

Part of the genre of street literature developed from hip hop literature and music. Artists such as Tupac Shakur contributed from his lyrics to write about the harsh life in the ghettos. During the nineties, as hip hop music became widely popular, so did street literature receive an increasing attention.

Some of these contemporary writers have experienced a criminal past and decided to write about their life of drug abuse and violence while behind bars. Among the most successful street literary novelists can be found writers like Kwan Foye and Wahida Clark who both served time in jail. During their incarceration, they discovered a way to leave prison life behind and start a new career in writing.

For many authors in this genre, it was hard to receive exposure as they were turned down by various publishing companies who did not find their work fit for the right audience. The publishing industry was unaware that a new genre was emerging and gaining much popularity by its own readers.

Basing them on stereotypes, the publishing industry often views inner city literature as belonging solely to the African American community. As a result, authors who found no other way to distribute their novel, decided to open their own publishing company and self publish their books thus opening a platform for other growing writers in this genre.

The Spreading of social networking and development of electronic books contributed to the increasing interest in street literature. Urban fiction writers were able to build contacts this way and promote their work easily. Novelists of street literature feel the need to express their harsh real life situations which they have experienced and also to allow readers who live similar lives identify with their stories and find support.




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