KONNECTION NEWSLETTER | "Ink to Algorithm" is One Week Away!

View in Browser Join us for "INK TO ALGORITHM" ! Join TU Book Expo for Ink to Algorithm, a special afternoon celebrating Black Canadian teen literature, storytelling, and digital creativity on Friday, September 18, 2026 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Toronto Public Library’s Fairview Branch* (35 Fairview Mall Drive, Toronto). This day is for content creators, book influencers, book lovers, and supporters, bringing Black Canadian YA literature to teen readers with the people who share, celebrate, and amplify books online and in their communities. The afternoon will feature author readings, live interviews, and opportunities to connect directly with writers, giving attendees the chance to create engaging content and discover stories to share with and recommend to teen readers. Special thanks to the Toronto Arts Council for their support through the Literary Projects program. *This event is not hosted by or sponsored by the Toronto Public Library. Double Book Launch: "Between Classes" & "Finding Family" this weekend! Celebrate the official launch of two new teen novels from Lorimer Publishing: "Between Classes" by Angelot Ndongmo" and Finding Family" by Kamilah Haywood. Both books follow young Black Canadian men navigating friendships, family, romance, school, and the experience of growing up in Toronto. Stop by for author readings, a conversation and Q&A with host Robin Rice, and a chance to have your books signed by Angelot and Kamilah. Saturday, September 12, 2026 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Blackhurst Cultural Centre 777–779 Bathurst Street, Toronto Admission is free! Books are available at A Different Booklist and will also be available for purchase at the event. Cultural Content Creators to Check Out Our social media feeds are home to content creators doing genuinely thoughtful, funny, creative, and culturally important work. This new Kya Publishing post on Patreon highlights creators whose work keeps us laughing, informed, inspired, and connected to culture. Reflections from the Harlem Book Fair "Black book fairs continue to emerge as a powerful response to decades of underrepresentation in traditional publishing, growing threats of book censorship, and the need for spaces where Black writers, readers, and communities can reclaim their voices, celebrate their stories, and shape their own literary narratives..." Read the full reflection on Substack, composed after attending this year's Harlem Book Fair. I would like to acknowledge funding support to attend the Harlem Book Fair from the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario. ~ Stacey Robinson Book Launch: The Distinguished Leader The countdown is ON for "The Distinguished Leader". Mark your calendars — this is one you don't want to miss!  Saturday, October 3rd, 2026  5:00 PM  Iceland Arena — 705 Matheson Blvd East Mississauga, ON L4Z 3X9 Leadership starts with a decision. Be there when it's made.  For additional information, please visit The Able Leadership. We welcome literary news submissions from our Konnection community; if you have updates to share, please send them to konnection@kyapublishing.com, and we’ll be glad to feature you!

New Look for Collection of Contemporary Black Canadian Stories

Kya Publishing is excited to announce the re-release of the ebook edition of the Toronto Tales collection of novels and short stories by Canadian author Stacey Robinson, capturing over three decades of storytelling.

Spanning generations, neighbourhoods, relationships, and changing social landscapes, the Toronto Tales explore everyday experiences that shape identity, community, and belonging. These stories reflect the voices, rhythms, and realities of Black Canadian life, documenting the sounds and moods of Black-, African-, and Caribbean-Canadians and their peers through authentic characters, culture, dialect, and relatable experiences.

Written for teen and adult readers, the books examine friendship, love, family, ambition, and conflict in a constantly evolving society. From coming-of-age moments to complex adult relationships, these stories highlight the connections between personal choices and the larger cultural forces that surround us.

The collection represents a body of work created over 30 years, preserving snapshots of different eras while exploring themes that remain relevant today. Readers can experience the full range of Robinson’s storytelling through titles including:

• Friends With Benefits
• The Way We Used To Be (collection)
• Video Light
• Carnival Spotlight
• Eighteen
• First Year
• The Hook Up (collection)
• Request to Rewind
• I Wish I Never Met Him
• Bonafide
• Karisma’s Screwface Philosophy

Together, these novels and short stories create an independently published literary record of Black Canadian experiences: the conversations, relationships, struggles, cultural celebrations, and lessons.

Stay tuned for Stacey Robinson’s upcoming release, Parasocial Drift, arriving later in 2026.

The print and ebook editions of the Toronto Tales are all available through Kya Publishing: https://kyapublishing.com/books.

INK TO ALGORITHM: Teen Literature Media Day Celebrates Stories, Black Canadian Creators, and Youth Voices

TORONTO, ONT. - TU Book Expo presents Ink to Algorithm, a youth-focused celebration of Black Canadian authors, storytelling, and digital creativity taking place on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Toronto Public Library's Fairview Branch** (35 Fairview Mall Drive, Toronto).

Designed as a dynamic literary and media experience, Ink to Algorithm brings together Black Canadian YA authors, teens, book media, content creators, influencers, educators, and community members to celebrate the stories shaping today’s young readers. The event highlights newly released teen and young adult titles while honouring the ongoing legacy of Black Canadian literature for youth.

The afternoon will feature author readings, live interviews, informal conversations, book discoveries, and opportunities for attendees to connect directly with writers. With content creation spaces, photography and video opportunities, and social media engagement throughout the event, Ink to Algorithm creates a welcoming environment where literature, culture, and digital storytelling intersect.

Featured authors include Kevin HeronJones, Eddie Kawooya, Angelot Ndongmo, Kamilah Haywood, and Stacey Robinson, with additional Black Canadian YA authors to be announced. The event will be hosted by Cleveland author Jameel Davis, with digital contributions from local and international TU Book Expo members.

More than an author event, Ink to Algorithm explores how stories can move from the page into today’s digital conversations. By bringing together writers and the online communities that amplify books (including BookTok creators, Bookstagrammers, influencers, content creators, and traditional media) the event celebrates reading as a visible, social, and meaningful part of contemporary culture.

Media, book bloggers, content creators, influencers, and literary communities are invited to attend, participate, and help amplify the voices and stories at the heart of Black Canadian teen literature.

Join the TU Book Expo collective as they continue their commitment to increasing the visibility, accessibility, and relevance of Black Canadian literature through programming that connects authors with new audiences.

Registration details are available now at https://tubookexpo.com/ink-to-algorithm.

Special thanks to the Toronto Arts Council for their support through the Literary Projects program.

**This event is not hosted by or sponsored by the Toronto Public Library.