The following is an excerpt from the introduction:

"...During the fall of 1996, while searching the Internet for a place to read the writing of other up-and-coming African-American writers and to find a place that I could present my own writing, I discovered that there weren't many web sites at that time that fit my needs. Being an early adopter of the World Wide Web, I decided to create my own site that would be geared toward African-American writing and poetry. While my own emphasis was on fiction, I soon discovered that there was a wealth of poetic talent that lay undiscovered out there. Thus TimBookTu was conceived and has since grown to the pre-eminent site for African-American writing and poetry on the web.

By early 1997, TimBookTu had already established itself as a site that featured emerging writers and poets. Many poets who were already doing their thing in their respective hometowns in the form of poetry jams, readings, workshops and other venues, soon found that TimBookTu offered a sense of community on the web. Zamounde "the Footstepper" Allie was one of the first to send his work and spread the word. To this day, he has been a major influence and supporter of TimBookTu. There's no telling how many poets and writers he has encouraged, welcomed, and supported via TimBookTu.

Another writer was Jamal Sharif, the Los Angeles-based poet, who began to send her work and quickly established herself as one of the favorites at TimBookTu. Through her regular emails offering support, advice, ideas, humor and wit, she soon became a very close friend and advocate of TimBookTu..."