BRAE?

The Black Readers Appreciation Event (BRAE) is bridging the gap between readers and authors, creating a space where stories and voices connect in meaningful ways. This event is our way of saying thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to independent Black authors. Through your engagement—downloading books, sharing reviews, and spreading the word—you help ensure that indie authors have the platform they deserve, and we are honored to celebrate that connection with you.

The Black Readers Appreciation Event was created by Author A.A. Lewis as a way to give back to readers. This 5-day free book giveaway has become a cornerstone in the Black literary community, growing every year to include authors from all genres and across the globe. This united effort ensures that independent authors have the opportunity to be seen, respected, and valued. With thousands of readers showing their support by downloading books, reading millions of pages, and leaving reviews, the event continues to foster a thriving and inclusive literary culture.

As the Black Readers Appreciation Event (BRAE) continues to grow, we are committed to finding new ways to expand our outreach, offering you more diverse stories, unique voices, and valuable literary insights. Our goal is to continuously elevate the experience for both readers and authors, ensuring that the richness of Black literature remains front and center.

Reading Is Generational

Reading has always been a powerful tradition within the Black community, passed down from generation to generation. From grandparents sharing stories of resilience and hope, to parents instilling the importance of literacy in their children, books have been a cornerstone of knowledge, culture, and connection for Black families. This generational love of reading strengthens our identity and keeps our stories alive.

The Black Readers Appreciation Event (BRAE) is proud to be a part of this legacy. By offering a diverse selection of books and spotlighting authors who represent a wide range of experiences and genres, we ensure that there is something for everyone. Whether it’s the child just discovering the magic of books, the teenager seeking stories they can relate to, or the adult looking to escape or learn, BRAE creates a space where Black readers of all ages can find literature that piques their interest. Through this event, we continue the tradition of making sure our stories are heard, shared, and celebrated across generations.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Submissions for BRAE 2024 will open on October 10th and run through November 5th. To submit your book(s), click the link on our homepage to access the appropriate submission form.

  • All book submissions for BRAE 2024 must be in eBook format. Your eBook should be hosted on a platform that allows for an automatic download to be delivered directly to readers.

  • Authors can submit up to five books for the event. Those interested in participating in the opening day celebration may submit up to three books. Additionally, there is a separate form for publishers who wish to submit books on behalf of their authors.

  • Authors are encouraged to offer their books for free during the five-day celebration. However, in some cases, authors may only be able to provide discounted prices. These discounted books will have their own dedicated section. The majority of titles available throughout the event will be free for readers to enjoy.

  • This year's Black Readers Appreciation Event (BRAE) will take place on Wednesday, November 5th, and will run until 11:59 p.m. CTS on Saturday, November 8TH.

  • You’re welcome to download as many books as you like! We hope you’ll take this opportunity to explore new genres, discover new-to-you authors, and enjoy the diverse stories and voices that make up our vibrant literary community.

  • No worries! We understand that some circumstances may prevent you from offering your books for free during the entire five-day event. That’s why we’re allowing authors to participate in the celebration on opening day. This gives you the chance to join in, and readers the opportunity to download your books. You can access the one-day participation form on our homepage.

  • Depending on the platform that host your books the process will vary.

    If using your author website, you can simply adjust the price of your ebook(s) to free and submit the direct links to the books when registering your titles.

    Many authors utilize the Bookfunnel app to gift their free books. Please refer to the BookFunnel website for creating a landing page and other options.

    To make your book free on Amazon, you can schedule a Free Book Promotion through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP):

    Enroll your book in KDP Select. This 90-day enrollment gives you access to promotional tools, including five free promotion days.

    Go to the Marketing tab

    Select Free Book Promotion under Run a Price Promotion

    Click Create a Free Book Promotion

    Select your book and click Continue

    Enter the start and end dates for your promotion

    Click Save Changes

    You can use these five free promotion days however you want, whether all at once or spread out over the 90-day period. You can also set up automatic re-enrollment in KDP Select so you can run another promotion every 90 days.

    For those utilizing their website simply adjust the price for your eBook(s) to $0.00 for the duration of the event.

    For any other platform please reach out to the hosting website for details.

  • Participating in the Black Readers Appreciation Event (BRAE) offers several valuable benefits for authors who gift their books to readers for free:

    1. Increased Exposure: By offering your books for free, you can attract a larger audience, especially readers who may not have encountered your work before. This exposure can significantly increase your reach and introduce your stories to new readers.

    2. Reader Engagement: The event brings together thousands of passionate readers who actively support independent authors. Gifting your books allows you to build direct relationships with readers who may go on to become loyal fans, eager to read more of your work.

    3. Boosted Reviews: Offering your books for free often results in an influx of reader reviews. These reviews can help improve your book’s visibility on various platforms, enhancing your credibility and attracting even more readers after the event.

    4. Brand Building: Participation in BRAE associates your name with a vibrant, positive literary community. It helps establish your presence as an independent author and builds your brand in a space dedicated to amplifying Black voices and diverse stories.

    5. Increased Sales Post-Event: Many readers who download free books during the event will explore other books by the same author. This often leads to increased sales of your paid titles after the event.

    6. Networking Opportunities: The event connects you with a network of fellow authors, readers, and literary professionals. This can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and even increased visibility for future works.

    By gifting your books during BRAE, you not only give back to the community but also position yourself for long-term growth as an author.

  • Staying connected to the Black Readers Appreciation Event (BRAE) and upcoming events in the literary community is easy! Here are several ways to stay in the loop:

    1. Join the Email List: Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on upcoming events, submission deadlines, author spotlights, and other important announcements related to BRAE.

    2. Follow Us on Social Media: Stay active with BRAE by following us on all major social media platforms. We regularly post news, event updates, and opportunities to engage with authors, readers, and other literary events.

    3. Visit the Website: Check the BRAE website for the latest information on current and future events, submission forms, and other resources. We frequently update the site with details on how to participate and stay involved.

    4. Participate in Online Communities: Join our dedicated online groups or forums where readers and authors connect, share insights, and discuss upcoming literary events. These platforms are a great way to engage with the BRAE community year-round.

    5. Follow Your Favorite Authors: Stay connected by following your favorite authors on their social media platforms. This is a great way to find out about upcoming events and how you can attend.

    By staying connected through these channels, you'll always be in the know about BRAE and other exciting events in the Black literary world!

  • Audiobooks are a powerful way to connect with readers, and we welcome them at BRAE! To include your audiobooks in the event:

    • You must be able to offer your audiobook at a discounted rate—options include half off, $2.99, $0.99, or free.

    • An active link is required so readers can easily access and redeem your audiobook.

    • Most authors who participate own full rights to their audiobooks, which makes discounting, gifting, and distribution simple.

    • If you have complete ownership, you can also leverage your author website to share direct access with readers.

    By following these steps, you’ll ensure your audiobook is accessible and appealing to readers during the event. description

  • If you don’t have complete control of your audiobook pricing, participation is still possible! Here are some options:

    • Use available free codes. Many platforms (like ACX/Audible) provide a set number of promo codes you can distribute to readers. These can be gifted during BRAE.

    • Check with your publisher/producer. If you’re traditionally published or in partnership, ask if they can temporarily reduce the price or provide additional codes for promotional purposes.

      Even if you don’t own full rights, we encourage you to get creative so readers can still experience your audiobook during BRAE!

  • BRAE is growing! We’re expanding our footprint beyond the virtual space and into in-person events through collaborations with book event hosts across the country. These will be known as Powered by BRAE Events, and they’re open to all Black authors across all genres.

    Powered by BRAE events are designed to:

    • Connect readers directly with indie authors

    • Encourage adult literacy

    • Spotlight both established and emerging voices

    While our virtual event remains the heart of BRAE, we believe there’s nothing quite like meeting authors face-to-face. That’s why we’ve condensed the virtual experience into 3 impactful days—so we can continue to support, highlight, and celebrate authors online, while also bringing readers opportunities to engage with authors in person throughout the year.

    Look out for a Powered by BRAE event near you!

Subscribe

Subscribe

BRAE Newsletter Subscription