The other day I was very disappointed in someone that I’ve known for several years now. We’ve discussed my writing on several occasions, always with encouragement. She has sold my books in her small bookstore, and recommended me to her customers and other small bookstore owners. So when I visited her a few months back, she asked about my next book. She told me to bring some of my promotional items by the store, so that she could advertise my upcoming release. Well I did that.

She greeted me warm and friendly as always. When she spotted the promotional material in my arms, she was excited. She reached for the poster telling me that it was going on the wall behind the counter. While she did that, I browsed the store, and then I heard, “Is he white?” I stood there for a moment processing the tone. I answered that he was. She looked stunned. Then she wanted to know whose idea it was for me to write an interracial romance, mine or the publisher. I answered both. Her next question stunned me. She asked if it was difficult for me to write an interracial love story. I politely responded no, because in all honesty I was completely speechless. What she said next had me shaking my head. She proceeded to tell me that she loved paranormal romances (shape shifters, vampires, and werewolves), aliens from other planets, and anything with a tail. But her face and her words said something else to me. I heard anything but a love story between an African American woman and a white man.

So I ask myself. How do I get past this? Do I say something to her or let it go?