Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Kya Publishing Offers New Books, Services, & Resources to Develop & Share Black Canadian Stories

Toronto-based company enters 16th year of Black Canadian cultural documentation

TORONTO (January 2022) – Kya Publishing is gearing up for a productive 16th year of operation, with an increase to writer resources, developmental author events, and continued opportunities for international Black writers to connect across digital platforms. They are also celebrating the recent release of author Kamilah Haywood’s 4th novel “The Hidden Track” and forthcoming 10th book from SM Robinson, “Bonafide.”

The expanded Kya Publishing website now includes comprehensive listings of Black writers, cultural blog articles, author research, and resources for Black Canadian students, Caribbean carnival and Canadian reggae archives, a range of writing and editing services, musical soundtracks, writing workshops, and two new novels to their catalogue of 14 books.

“Just like the Harlem Renaissance in the 20s and 30s, or the Jamaican independence/rocksteady reggae era in the 60s, there is a specific time, space, and energy of Toronto life that represents and uplifts our generation that we hope to capture, and cultivate, communicate, and celebrate through our books and activities,” said SM Robinson, who founded Kya Publishing in 2007 as an outlet to publish her own books when finding a traditional mainstream publisher was no longer an accessible or practical option.

Kya Publishing’s catalogue of 14 books highlights Black Canadian protagonists in a range of novels and short stories covering topics from love and relationships, sex trafficking, incarceration, the entertainment industry, and coming of age. All stories have a focus on self-awareness, self-development, and most importantly, cultural documentation. Unapologetically. Unfiltered.

“We endorse the connection and development of Black writers across the African diaspora, as they also work to share their stories, experiences, and lessons with readers,” said Robinson. “Over the past fifteen years we have evolved into a platform that works to establish this global community and infrastructure to support long-term development.”

Kya Publishing is a proud sponsor of the TU Book Expo collective of Black writers, that has produced the Toronto Urban Book Expo book fair since 2014, hosted the virtual International Writers’ Workshop, and presented community sessions for writers and literary enthusiasts.

To request review copies or connect with authors, please contact info@kyapublishing.com.


Thursday, November 04, 2021

Kamilah Haywood's "The Hidden Track" Now Available in Stores and the Toronto Public Library

TORONTO, ONT. (November 2021) - The fourth novel from Toronto-based fiction writer Kamilah Haywood, "The Hidden Track," is now available for purchase at the Indigo Spirit store in Scarborough Town Centre, Glad Day Bookshop (Toronto), and also in circulation at the Toronto Public Library.

The Hidden Track is based on the Canadian sex trafficking industry and is a story about a young woman who journeys through the dangerous underworld from Nova Scotia to Ontario.

Kamilah—a queer, Black, Canadian fiction author of Jamaican heritage—writes books depicting the unfiltered, authentic, and occasionally dark side of Toronto life. Through raw details and intimate narratives, they have captured issues from female incarceration to sex trafficking, relationships, coming of age, and spirituality through their intensely gripping novels.

At 107 pages, "The Hidden Track" is also available in paperback and ebook format online through Kya Publishing, or via Amazon.


Thursday, October 28, 2021

Kamilah Haywood Releases Fourth Novel "The Hidden Track"

TORONTO, ONT. (October 2021) - Toronto-based fiction writer Kamilah Haywood has released her fourth novel, "The Hidden Track," based on the Canadian sex trafficking industry and the story of a young woman who journeys through the dangerous underworld from Nova Scotia to Ontario.

A gritty tale about Kayla — a biracial, underaged female from the marginalized Black-Indigenous Nova Scotian community of North Preston — depicts how she is manipulated by her close friend and lover into a life of drug and human trafficking across the Greater Toronto Area. When the boundaries of love are fused with abuse, Kayla can’t tell if she is the prey...or the predator. This fictional account examines what happens when the slave becomes the slave master, in a dark story about encounters behind the walls of The Hidden Track.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kamilah—a queer, Black, Canadian fiction author of Jamaican heritage—writes books depicting the unfiltered, authentic, and occasionally dark side of Toronto life. Through raw details and intimate narratives, they have captured issues from female incarceration to sex trafficking, relationships, coming of age, and spirituality through their intensely gripping novels.

In addition to their creative writing, Kamilah has co-founded a series of writing workshops and events in collaboration with Kya Publishing, encouraging cultural awareness, professional development, and international networking throughout the Black writing community, and creative industries at large.

At 107 pages, "The Hidden Track" is available in paperback and ebook format online through Kya Publishing, or through Amazon.

ISBN-13 | 987-09879195-5-7

RELEASE DATE | Friday, October 29, 2021

FORMAT | 6 x 9

PRICE | $9.99 (paperback), $4.99 (ebook)

GENRE | Fiction

INQUIRIES & ORDERS | books@kyapublishing.com

PUBLISHER WEBSITE | kyapublishing.com

Wednesday, September 01, 2021

Kya Publishing Launches 2021 Readers' Survey to Inform Black Writers Community Activities

Kya Publishing has launched a Readers' Survey this month, and is interested in obtaining thoughts and feedback from their online network of readers, writers, and book lovers! All supporters are welcome to participate.

The results of this survey will provide helpful insights about reader habits and preferences, to communicate to an international Black writers community, to help inform daily planning and activities.

Email addresses are required to participate, however, individual responses will be kept confidential. This survey will run from September 1, 2021 through to December 31, 2021 through kyapublishing.com

LINK TO SURVEY

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

TUBookExpo Featured Presenters

TUBookExpo (the Toronto Urban Book Expo) is an annual exposition highlighting writers and their books with the opportunity to display and communicate projects, explore international networking opportunities, and participate in informative sessions with peers, experts, and supporters in literature.

Featuring presentations from members of the international literary community, our events have welcomed guests from the United States, Caribbean, and Canada who highlight the works of authors across the Black/African diaspora.

We encourage you to connect with this year's presenters, visit their sites, and purchase their books!

AMANDA G: https://chuuchliveshow.com/








ANDRE SIMPSON: https://linktr.ee/authorandrelsimpson








ANDREE NICOLE: https://www.instagram.com/iamandreenicole








ANGELOT NDONGMO: https://linktr.ee/authorangelotndongmo








AUTHOR GLOWZ: https://www.instagram.com/author_glowz








D.A. BOURNE: https://www.amazon.com/D-A-Bourne/e/B082YM267W/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1








JAMEEL DAVIS: https://authorjameeldavis.com/








JEFFREY LEE CHEATHAM II: https://jeffcheatham2.com/








KAMILAH HAYWOOD: https://kyapublishing.com/books








RAY MWIHAKI: https://raysattic.wordpress.com/








SM ROBINSON (KYA PUBLISHING , EVENT ADMINISTRATOR): https://kyapublishing.com/books


STACEY ANN BERRY: https://www.staceyannberry.com/








VICTORIA DALEY: https://miasworldbookclub.ca/








WILMONT ST. CYR: https://www.amazon.ca/W-St-Cyr/e/B01CGZIZFI/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1








YOLANDA T. MARSHALL: https://www.ytmarshall.com/








The TU Book Expo takes place on the Thursday before the Emancipation Day long weekend in Toronto; Ontario's Emancipation Day falls on the first Monday of August.

For more details about this year's edition on Thursday, July 29, please visit www.TUBookExpo.com

TUBookExpo Featured Presentations for 2021

Kya Publishing’s @TUBookExpo (the Toronto Urban Book Expo) is taking place this week, on Thursday, July 29! Registration for events are free, and will feature writers from Canada, the U.S., Kenya, Jamaica, and Barbados! Here is the day’s schedule, and links to register:

10am EST // A WRITER’S MOTIVATION (with author Andrée Nicole): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/162211305381

Author, educator, and motivational speaker/writer Andrée Nicole starts the day with words of wisdom for writers, personal messages of support and encouragement, and informed greetings for the writing community. Log in with your Instagram account, or just click on the link to be uplifted; all are welcome to attend!








11am EST // CHILDREN’S STORY TIME (with authors Angelot Ndongmo, Yolanda T. Marshall, and Victoria Daley): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/163679988251

Join children's authors Angelot Ndongmo, Yolanda T. Marshall, and Victoria Daley as they read from their captivating children's books and share activities and joy for children aged 4 to 12! All are welcome!

   


1pm EST // LIVE FROM KENYA (with authors Ray Mwihaki and Mutendei Nabutete): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/163768194077

Kenyan writer Mutendei Nabutete in conversation with Nairobi-based author Ray Mwihaki featuring readings, and an introspective look at the author's journey.








2pm EST // INTERNATIONAL WRITERS’ ROUNDTABLE (with authors Andre Simpson, Wilmont St. Cyr, Jeffrey Lee Cheatham II, D.A. Bourne, and Mutendei Nabutete): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/163768535097

Writers Andre Simpson (Jamaica), Mutendei Nabutete (Kenya), Wilmont St. Cyr (Barbados), D.A. Bourne (Canada), and Jeffrey Lee Cheatham II (U.S.A.) connect to speak about their experiences as Black male writers and creatives, from international perspectives.


7pm EST // MARKETING & PROMOTIONS FOR WRITERS (with authors Jameel Davis and Stacey Ann Berry): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/163768378629

Authors and entrepreneurs Jameel Davis (Elevated Waves, Cleveland) and Stacey Ann Berry ( Bstellar™ Group Inc., Toronto) speak to aspiring and published writers about methods, tips, and strategies for marketing your books and appealing to your target audience.



And on Sunday evening, join us for a special presentation of the CHUUCH LIVE SHOW at 7pm EST, featuring an interview with author Glowz, hosted by Kamilah Haywood and Amanda G: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/162212310387

Hosted by author Kamilah Haywood and co-host Amanda G., this special Book Expo edition of the Chuuch Live Show will feature an interview and live reading with Toronto-based author Glowz.


We hope you can join us! Please visit www.TUBookExpo.com for additional details, check out @TUBookExpo on social media, or email us at TUBE@kyapublishing.com.

#TUBE2021


Friday, July 02, 2021

TUBookExpo (Toronto Urban Book Expo) Returns Virtually for 2021

TORONTO, ONT. (July 2021) - For the second year in a row, the Toronto Urban Book Expo will take place virtually, providing a series of workshops and presentations for authors, and online readings. The one-day event is scheduled for Thursday, July 29, 2021 and will feature webinars, interviews, and discussions across digital platforms including Zoom and Instagram Live.

Rebranded online this year as TUBookExpo, the writer's retreat and conference was created for authors and publishers to have the opportunity to communicate their projects, explore international networking opportunities, and participate in informative sessions with their peers, experts, and supporters in literature. Surrounding the Emancipation Day long weekend in Toronto, Ontario (which falls on the Civic Holiday, the first Monday in August), the Expo is open to all published and self-published writers.

"Since 2014, we have hosted nearly 100 authors from Canada, the U.S. and virtually from international locations," said event founder, Kya Publishing's Stacey Marie Robinson. "With the support of the Toronto Public Library (TPL) and the Toronto Arts Council, we have allowed writers to connect, learn, engage, and grow in their craft."

Four of the six previous editions of the Book Expo were hosted at TPL branches; the event has been sponsored by the Toronto Arts Council for the last three years.

"We are committed to sharing the voices of writers in Toronto, and internationally, and providing a platform for their creations," said Robinson. "We are particularly proud of the way this event has resonated with Black writers, and the opportunities for development and networking it has provided."

This year's virtual sessions will be provided free of charge for interested writers in hopes that the content will 1) contribute to professional development, 2) increase personal skills and knowledge base, and 3) connect an international gathering of like-minded writers to help build networks.

Presenters include:

Andre Simpson (Kingston, Jamaica), Andrée Nicole (Toronto, Canada), Angelot Ndongmo (Toronto, Canada), D.A. Bourne (Toronto, Canada), Author Glowz (Toronto, Canada), Jameel Davis (Cleveland, USA), Jeffrey Lee Cheatham (Seattle, USA), Kamilah Haywood (Toronto, Canada), Mutendei Nabutete (Nairobi, Kenya), Stacey Ann Berry (Toronto, Canada), Victoria Daley (Toronto, Canada), Wilmont St. Cyr (Bridgetown, Barbados), and Yolanda T. Marshall (Toronto, Canada).

Registration for individual sessions will begin on Monday, July 5, 2021 through the new Book Expo website www.TUBookExpo.com.

All writers are welcome to participate and take part in this virtual celebration of writers and literature, and connect with the growing Book Expo community through social media:

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/tubookexpo

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/tubookexpo

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/tubookexpo




Monday, June 21, 2021

International Writers' Workshop Shares Perspectives from Kenya, Canada, and the U.S.A.


TORONTO, ONT (June 2021) Toronto-based publishing and communications company Kya Publishing partnered with Nairobi's Mutendei Writes, Cleveland's Elevated Waves, and Toronto's Bstellar Group to present their second virtual writers' workshop across continents.

The most recent two-hour session for writers took place on Saturday, June 19, 2021 on the Zoom platform, and explored the digital vs. print publication markets, with a discussion on writing and the changing publishing industry in a digital age.

Panelists Jameel Davis, Stacey Ann Berry, and Mutendei Nabutete explored topics including: the benefits of self-publishing, content marketing, an overview of the publishing industry, and creative ways to do a book tour. The event was structured to address the question: "In the global literary business--where the supply chain of an independent writer seeking to be published and connect to the reading market is a minimized digital path through online networks--how does one successfully navigate the digital space to be successful?"

Footage of the presentations from the June workshop--and the previous workshop in February--are now available online through the links below:

February 2021

"How Writing Ignites Freedom, Healing, and Power!" presentation by Stacey Ann Berry

"Historical Character Representations" presentation by Mutendei Nabutete

"Character Development" presentation by Mutendei Nabutete

International Writers' Workshop Panel Discussion featuring Mutendei Nabutete, Jameel Davis, Stacey Ann Berry, and Kamilah Haywood

June 2021

"Content Marketing" presentation by Jameel Davis


For updates and information about upcoming workshops and writer development opportunities, please contact events@kyapublishing.com. 



Thursday, February 11, 2021

Kya Publishing Co-Presents International Writers' Workshop on February 20


TORONTO, ONT (February 2021) Toronto-based publishing and communications company Kya Publishing has partnered with Nairobi, Kenya's Mutendei Writes, and Cleveland, USA's Elevated Waves to present a virtual writers workshop across continents.

Featured writers include Mutendei Nabutete (Nairobi), Stacey Ann Berry (Toronto), Kamilah Haywood (Toronto), and Jameel Davis (Cleveland).

The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. EST and will take place for two hours over the Zoom platform.

Interested participants can register online here; there is a $10 USD fee to attend. After registering and submitting the $10 fee, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting.


A Message from Kenyan author Mutendei Writes:

There is no history more important than the history you make. Join myself and Stacey Ann Berry, as we talk all things writing related to "Character Development & Historical Representation," followed by "How to Use Writing to Ignite Freedom, Healing, and Power," respectively. An in depth discussion that promises to be insightful, educative, and well oriented for today's writer under the moderation of Cleveland's Jameel Davis and Toronto's Kamilah Haywood in partnership with Kya Publishing.

SESSION 1 // "Character Development and Historical Representations" by Mutendei Writes

SESSION 2 // "How to Use Writing to Ignite Freedom, Healing, and Power" by Stacey Ann Berry

WRITER Q&A // Jameel Davis and Kamilah Haywood


Participant Bios:

"Elias Nabutete (Mutendei Writes) a Kenyan, Nairobi based creative writer, author and blogger, focuses on using original, creative, structured writing to cover unique and genre inspired material.

Acknowledging the need of art to move beyond the narrow mainstream spectrum of modern day content, the breaking down of barriers in representation, and cultural obscurity has been a core focus, an impetus and source of concept generation and content enhancement.

Mutendei’s creative writing expanded from a high school hobby, kept through college, to an applied career. Engagement’s in writing projects, while supporting the development of other writers, has refined his focus on under-represented and misaligned themes, embedding them with cultural richness and value for the artistic world we move and operate in today.

In addition to sharing creative knowledge, alongside his achievements, collaborations and one off productions, ranging from spoken word performances, several scripts, and multiple diverse short stories hosted on his blog www.mutendeiwrites.com , Mutendei Writes has written several books, namely; Everything Mutendei; Shadow Walkers- The Glory Of Kings, Spruce Avenue, A Thriller Story, and Shadows In The Twilight, while also gaining international recognition for the comic adaption of Shadow Walkers - Mutendei Writes a writer, poet and comic book producer from Nairobi Kenya. - CNN Video."

Stacey Ann Berry is an innovative entrepreneur, published author, and a highly sought-after speaker.  As a presenter, she inspires audiences to take a leap of faith, motivates them to make a difference, and “ignite their inner essence”. 

Stacey is the founder and president of Bstellar™ Group Inc., which provides professional development workshops, as well as consulting services in government relations, community engagement and strategic planning. Her extensive professional experience in private, public and non-profit sectors provided her with essential building blocks to thrive as an entrepreneur.  

Stacey is a service-driven leader who is passionate about community development and advocacy.  As a former director for the Toronto Board of Health, she chaired the Public Health Champion Awards Selection Committee, served on the Performance Appraisal of the Medical Officer of Health Committee and the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Board of Directors. 

She has a master’s degree in Public Policy Administration and Law, as well as, an Honors BA in History and Law and Society from York University. 

www.staceyannberry.com | www.bstellargroup.com


"Kamilah Haywood (aka K WoodZ) is a three-time published author with Toronto's Kya Publishing. Her love for storytelling and inspirational narratives has also brought her to serve as a music manager, event coordinator, and project manager in Toronto.  Currently she is a co-host and founder of the online Chuuch Live Show, a member of the Toronto Urban Book Expo Board of Directors, and co-founder of W.A.R Productions."  

IG: @kwoodz29 | @chuuchliveshow | @canadian_author 

Twitter:  @kamilahhhaywood | Facebook:  Kamilah Haywood | Linked in:  Kamilah Haywood" 


"Cleveland’s own International Speaker & Author Jameel Davis, earned his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Criminology & Justice Studies from Kent State University in 2013 and has been employed at the Cuyahoga County Sheriff Department ever since. Shortly thereafter, he became an Agent of Change, a Speaker, Writer, Poet, & Author.

In his community, Jameel is known as a positive and highly respectable individual, dedicated to promoting kindness, understanding and hope to disadvantage children and adults alike. He is committed to sharing his story, lifting up and empowering others through his motivational talks, inspiring poetry and books, as well as shinning rays of hope throughout Cleveland, Oh and beyond. Jameel is known for his educational seminars surrounding book publishing, dating and relationships, and his speaking appearances at schools and organizations."


For additional information, please visit the Facebook event page, or email stacey@kyapublishing.com.