KYA PUBLISHING TO HOST CHILDREN’S BOOK & SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE FOR JAMAICA

TORONTO, ONT (December 2016) – Toronto independent publishing company Kya Publishing will be hosting the Kya Keys Children’s Book Drive on Saturday, February 4, 2017 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Riddim Fit Wellness Centre (845 Westney Road South, Unit #7) in Ajax.

The Kya Keys Book Donation Program—which has previously donated reading materials to youth locally, in the Caribbean, and in Ontario’s correctional system—will feature a donation drive for school supplies and books, while honouring Black History Month.

Kya Publishing will be collecting new and lightly used books for school-aged children (grades K to 8), as well as new school supplies, that will be transported to Jamaican school children in St. Elizabeth and Manchester parishes through a local registered charitable organization: Maica Impact.

The Riddim Fit Centre will be open to accept donations; all are welcome to contribute, and to stay for refreshments at an informal open house. For more information, please contact the planning committee at info@kyapublishing.com, or call (647) 342-3040.

Kya Publishing Joins Wattpad Community With Free "VIDEO LIGHT" Access

TORONTO, ONT (December 2016) - Toronto publishing company Kya Publishing has joined the online storytelling community Wattpad, and is celebrating by offering free access to their "Urban Toronto Tales" novel VIDEO LIGHT to those registered with the site.

Kya Publishing--committed to the celebration of contemporary Canadian Urban Fiction and culture through their books, research, events, and community initiatives--is excited to share the 2008 novel, that has already been widely distributed and sold throughout Toronto over the years.

"Video Light is a short but sexy novel," said Kya Publishing founder Stacey Marie Robinson. "It's a classic Toronto love story about two individuals from the same [Jamaican] cultural background, with distinctly different histories. The characters experience the city and their adulthood through different lenses...which is what makes the story uniquely and authentically a 'Toronto' tale."

Through Wattpad, writers and authors of all genres and levels of expertise can share their works with a specialized online community. With over 35 million visitors per month, the feedback and sharing features make it a unique part of the literary community. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Toronto, this site is particularly popular with mobile users (representing over 85% of their traffic), and easily accessible for the 2 million writers that share this platform.

"We encourage reading of all genres, but are excited about the ongoing development of Canadian Urban Fiction," said Robinson. "Wattpad is a great way to reach new readers, and an amazing platform to share the urban stories about the city that we love: especially the story of Delia and Ryan, through Video Light."

Users can register with Wattpad online using their Facebook or Google accounts at www.wattpad.com, or through their mobile app. VIDEO LIGHT the novel is available on Kya Publishing's page at www.wattpad.com/kyapublishing.

Kya Publishing Announces Date for the 2017 Toronto Urban Book Expo

TORONTO, ONT (November 2016) - Toronto publishing company Kya Publishing has just announced the date of their 4th annual Toronto Urban Book Expo (TUBE): Sunday, August 6, 2017.

TUBE is the only Canadian event dedicated to celebrating Canadian Urban Fiction; this event highlights published and independent writers and their books at a free and family-friendly book fair.

Kya Publishing--committed to the celebration of contemporary Canadian Urban Fiction and culture through their books, research, events, and community initiatives--has established this annual venue for urban authors to sell their books and raise awareness for this genre of cultural writing.

"We are pleased to feature DJ Majesty to provide the urban music soundtrack for the event again," said Kya Publishing founder Stacey Marie Robinson. "By gathering talented artists from Canada, the U.S., and hopefully beyond, we at Kya Publishing are excited to contribute to the development of Canadian Urban Fiction and the culture that inspires it."

Details about TUBE 2017 will be released in the new year, including registration dates/fees and confirmed authors. For more information about this event, please contact the planning committee at info@kyapublishing.com, or visit www.kyapublishing.com.

Join the conversation online using #TUBE2017

"Kya Keys" Program Donates Books to Ontario Correctional Facility

TORONTO, ONT (November 2016) - Toronto-based publishing company, Kya Publishing, has donated books to an Ontario correctional facility library through their Kya Keys Book Donation Program. The program was created to share the benefits of reading through various rehabilitation, academic, and youth institutions in Canada and Jamaica.

The books selected for donation this fall are: Letters to an Incarcerated Brother by Hill Harper, and No Disrespect by Sister Souljah. In alignment with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services' mandates, these titles aim to affect "positive inmate and offender change" through literacy.

"These particular books are written by public figures with a deliberate messages to uplift and encourage all readers," said Kya Publishing founder Stacey Marie Robinson. "Through Kya Keys, Kya Publishing strives to assist in providing the access, potential solutions, and systems for solving issues through reading urban literature."

Letters to an Incarcerated Brother is a collection of letters between the actor/activist Hill Harper and his fans, providing "encouragement, hope, and healing for inmates and their loved ones." No Disrespect is a gritty autobiography from the female hip hop artist Sister Souljah about growing up in as a young woman in New York in the 90s, while keeping "her heart open and her integrity intact."

"It is important to gift others with biographical tales as well as fictional storytelling," said Robinson. "There is a great sense of growth, hope, and knowledge transfer that occurs through reading that is important to share whenever possible."

To find out more about the Kya Keys Book Donation Program, or to donate to this initiative, please contact Kya Publishing administration at info@kyapublishing.com or 647-342-3040.

Children's Authors Highlighted in the Third Edition of Kya Publishing's JOURNAL OF CANADIAN URBAN FICTION

TORONTO, ONT (October 2016) – Toronto publishing company Kya Publishing has released the third edition of their Journal of Canadian Urban Fiction this month, with a focus on children's literature. Published annually, the journal features editorials, articles, commentaries, and book reviews, highlighting research in the field of urban fiction and examining cultural and literary works from an urban perspective.

Created to advance Canadian Urban Fiction and literary scholarship for urban writers, the theme of this edition is "Children's Authors," which highlights Toronto-based authors, as well as a Seattle-based author, who were all participants in Kya Publishing's 2016 Toronto Urban Book Expo.

"The books that children read play such an important role in identity construction and self-awareness," said Kya Publishing founder, Stacey Marie Robinson. "There are elements of culture like ethnicity, music, speech patterns, and familiar activities that will influence children positively. We have started this journal to clearly define the scope of Canadian Urban Fiction, identify the common themes and sentiments, and of course, to begin a body of research that will assist future writers in classifying their diverse work and expanding this genre."

The Journal of Canadian Urban Fiction will continue to provide a venue for academic discussion, progressive debate, and critical analysis of issues surrounding the development and growth of Canadian Urban Fiction.

"Our third issue features children's writers Angelot Ndongmo, Angela Walcott, Adrian Sterling, J.L. Cheatham, Simone DaCosta, and Jaden Taylor, in a casual Q&A about their experiences as children's authors and how urban culture influences their writing and goals," said Robinson. "This journal will continue to be a safe space for writers to discuss urban identity, deconstruct their culture and beliefs, and of course celebrate the writing that drives the culture forward."

The Journal of Canadian Urban Fiction is available online at www.CanadianUrbanFiction.com.

Dalton Higgins to Headline Author's Lounge at the TORONTO URBAN BOOK EXPO

TORONTO, ONT (February 2016) – Toronto’s Kya Publishing, in association with the Toronto Public Library, will be hosting the 3rd annual Toronto Urban Book Expo (TUBE) on Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at the North York Central Library (5120 Yonge Street, north of Sheppard).

Along with the book fair taking place in the Library’s main auditorium, and the storytelling/activity room for children at the Expo, the Author’s Lounge will be a highlighted element of this urban event, featuring some of North America’s most celebrated writers.

Headlining the Author’s Lounge will be Dalton Higgins, a music programmer, pop culture critic, author, broadcaster and journalist who is widely regarded as Canada’s foremost expert on hip hop culture. Higgins is scheduled to present and discuss his new book “Rap n Roll” at 1:00pm.

Also presenting in the Author’s Lounge, at 12:00pm, is media maven Sheila L. Brown, who has chronicled the inside look at her triumphant journey to becoming Buffalo’s first African-American female radio station owner in her book “29 Years of Preparation.”

At 12:30pm, Andree Nicole, an educator, life coach, motivational speaker, and author of “My Eyes Can See: A Year of Reflection & Insight” and “101 Inspirational Quotes for us Rich Chicks” will speak in the Author’s Lounge.

From 2:00pm to 3:00pm, the Lounge will feature readings by various Expo authors, as well as special guests Dane Swan—internationally published poet, author, and musician—and also from award-winning poet, novelist, short story writer, and scholar Pamela Mordecai.

TUBE is the only Canadian book fair dedicated to celebrating Canadian Urban Fiction and culture. This Black History Month event will highlight 30+ published and self-published writers from Canada, the U.S., and Caribbean selling their books—it will also feature publishers, and guests from the literary and urban cultural communities.

“By gathering these talented writers and sharing their books, unique stories, and experiences, we [the Kya Publishing team] are excited to contribute to the development of the urban fiction scene in Toronto, and the culture that inspires it.”

For more information, please contact the planning committee at info@kyapublishing.com, or call (647) 342-3040.

www.KyaPublishing.com

Twitter: @TOUrbanBookExpo

Instagram: @TorontoUrbanBookExpo

Facebook:  Toronto Urban Book Expo

Join the conversation online using our hashtag #TUBE2016!

KYA PUBLISHING ANNOUNCES AUTHOR LINEUP FOR “TORONTO URBAN BOOK EXPO” BOOK FAIR AT TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY

TORONTO, ONT (January 2016) – Toronto’s Kya Publishing, in association with the Toronto Public Library, will be hosting the 3rd annual Toronto Urban Book Expo (TUBE) on Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at the North York Central Library (5120 Yonge Street, north of Sheppard).

TUBE is the only Canadian book fair dedicated to celebrating Canadian Urban Fiction and culture. This Black History Month event will highlight 30+ published and self-published writers from Canada, the U.S., and Caribbean selling their books—it will also feature publishers, and guests from the literary and urban cultural communities.

Featured authors include:

Adrian Sterling (Toronto)

Akwasi Afiyie (Toronto)

Andree Nicole (Toronto)

Angela Walcott (Toronto)

Angelot Ndongmo (Toronto)

Anthony Huie (Toronto)

Ava Knight (Toronto)

Brentt Hood (Toronto)

Chase Monet (Detroit)

Christopher Signal (Columbus, Ohio)

Dalton Higgins (Toronto)

Dane Swan (Toronto)

Domonique Pequet (New Orleans)

Ebony Stroder (Indianapolis)

Fanchon Stylezz (New York City)

J.L. Cheatham II (Seattle)

Jaden Amber Taylor (Toronto)

Jalissa Brown (Newark)

Janine Carrington (Toronto)

Jedah Mayberry (Austin)

Jennylynd James (Toronto)

Jessica Norwood (Buffalo)

Josephine Casey (Toronto)

Kamesha Shropshire (Atlanta)

Kamilah Haywood (Toronto)

Kareative Interlude (Toronto)

Kebrina Morgan (Toronto)

LaTania Christie (Toronto)

Lavern Lewis (Toronto)

Makini Smith (Toronto)

Marxxha (Toronto)

MeLisa Collins (Cleveland)

Nadine Chevolleau (Toronto)

Northridges Publications (Toronto)

Pamela Mordecai (Kitchener)

Queen Rella (Pittsburgh)

Robert Small (Toronto)

Sammodah Speaks (Atlanta)

Sheila L. Brown (Buffalo)

Simone DaCosta (Toronto)

Tawanda Amos (Baltimore)

Wayne Jones (Hamilton)

Wilmont St. Cyr (Barbados)

“By gathering these talented writers and sharing their books, unique stories, and experiences, we [the Kya Publishing team] are excited to contribute to the development of the urban fiction scene in Toronto, and the culture that inspires it.”

TUBE will also feature urban businesses, author presentations and readings, children’s storytelling and activities, refreshments, giveaways/prizes, and live music by Toronto’s DJ Majesty.

For more information, please contact the planning committee at info@kyapublishing.com, or call (647) 342-3040.

www.KyaPublishing.com

Twitter: @TOUrbanBookExpo

Instagram: @TorontoUrbanBookExpo

Facebook:  Toronto UrbanBook Expo

Join the conversation online using our hashtag #TUBE2016!