FIND YOUR VOICE // Online Writing Workshop - September 30

TORONTO, ONT (September 2023) - Toronto publishing and communications company Kya Publishing is co-sponsoring the upcoming Find Your Voice writing workshop presented by the TU Book Expo, Incarcerated Voters of Ontario, and sponsored by the Toronto Arts Council. The first of three online workshops will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm via the Zoom platform. Registration is free, and available through TUBookExpo.com.

Find Your Voice was first introduced as a special session at the Myseum Intersections festival in April 2022 (Confinement and Contagion). September will be the sixth edition of the workshop, that continued to run in the fall of 2022 until winter 2023.

Additional sessions are scheduled for October 28 and November 25 of 2023.

The Find Your Voice workshop guides participants through the creative writing process to support their individual healing practices and to compose a writing piece that can be included in their portfolios. Participants will have the opportunity to share their work with peers within this private workshop, and share constructive and uplifting insight about each other’s work to encourage growth in their creative journeys.

Guided by facilitators authors Kamilah Haywood (Kwoodz) and Gloria O'Koye (Glowz), and prisoners' rights advocate Lindsay Jennings (Incarcerated Voters of Ontario), the workshop will also feature an opening from Robin Rice, and a special guest presenter at each session: September will highlight digital creator Kamal Hakim.

Within this safe space, participants can connect and create in honour of their lived experiences. Newly released participants requiring programming hours are encouraged to sign up. Priority will be given to previously-incarcerated artists, entertainers, and/or writers.

For more information, or to register, please visit the event website at TUBookExpo.com/FindYourVoice. Registration is free, and all welcome to attend. Please contact kamilah@kyapublishing.com for details, or if you have requests for accessibility/accommodation during the online session.

Upcoming International Writers' Workshop Venue Sponsored by Lauft Workspace Network

(July 2023) The upcoming TU Book Expo's International Writers' Workshop (IWW) is taking place on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Lauft (Shops at Don Mills location, 21 Karl Fraser Rd. # N 007) in Toronto from 2:00pm to 4:00pm EST. International participants are also encouraged to join the workshop online.

For those who live in the Greater Toronto Area, the workshop also presents an opportunity for guests to spend time in one of the Lauft locations, and to learn more about their features, availability, and the convenience the workspace can provide for professionals looking for a quiet place to work, room rentals, or a change of scenery.

Lauft's model is centered around an on-demand app that features hourly and daily rates for users; this "flexible approach to remote work" is a great option for writers in particular, who may have unconventional work schedules or a variety of needs for office space.

Some of the features available for rental/use include: SmartDesks, boardrooms, and Lauft can be easily accessed through locations in Ajax, Burlington, Castlefield, Don Mills, and Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.

There are no leases or memberships required to access Lauft's modern spaces. "With the ability to book hourly, daily, or monthly, we're on a mission to empower everyone to do their best work in the most consistent, convenient, and professional way possible." ~ Lauft

"We look forward to connecting with local writers at the Don Mills location; Lauft is a wonderful resource for writers and entrepreneurs," said Kya Publishing's Stacey Robinson. "Having a comfortable work environment is an important part of being productive, and Lauft is ideal for independent practitioners who need an occasional office to work from."

The theme for the 5th edition of the writers' workshop is "Black Writers' Wellness Check-In," and will feature a panel discussion, spoken word performances, and opportunities for writers to network and meet with presenting authors.

Registration/admission is free, and available online via EventBrite. There is an optional $15 workbook available for both in-person and virtual attendees featuring resources and exercises to support writing processes.

International participants are encouraged! Readers, writers, and literary supporters from all communities are welcome to attend!

The IWW is co-sponsored by the Toronto Arts Council, Toronto's Kya Publishing, Nairobi's Mutendei Writes, Cleveland's Elevated Waves Publishing, and Toronto's Bstellar® Group Inc.

Contact: tube@kyapublishing.com | Information: TUBookExpo.com

International Writers' Workshop Returns Saturday, July 29 with the Black Writers' Wellness Check-In

(June 2023) - The TU Book Expo's International Writers' Workshop (IWW) will host their first in-person session on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Lauft (Shops at Don Mills location, 21 Karl Fraser Rd. # N 007) in Toronto from 2:00pm to 4:00pm EST. The theme for the 5th edition of the workshop is "Black Writers' Wellness Check-In," and will feature a panel discussion, spoken word performances, and opportunities for writers to network and meet with presenting authors.

Registration begins on Juneteenth online via EventBrite. Admission is free, with an optional $15 workbook available for in-person and virtual attendees. International participants are encouraged!

Expert workshop presenters will cover book sales and marketing for global audiences, international networking, and mental health and wellness for Black writers. Discussions and an opportunity for questions will support writers (particularly those in the Black/African diaspora) with their projects and initiatives, as well as provide resources.

Presented by the TU Book Expo, and co-sponsored by the Toronto Arts Council, Toronto's Kya Publishing, Nairobi's Mutendei Writes, Cleveland's Elevated Waves Publishing, and Toronto's Bstellar® Group Inc. The event venue has been sponsored by Lauft, an on-demand workspace network. 

"We look forward to providing writers with an inviting workshop where they can cultivate new ideas, comfortably discuss wellness, and explore new global networks and opportunities." ~ TU Book Expo

Previous IWW writer sessions, through informed presentation, have highlighted the following topics:

• Character Development and Historical Representations
• How to Use Writing to Ignite Freedom, Healing and Power
• Content Marketing
• Self Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
• Traditional Marketing Methods in the Digital Age
• Literary Cultural Barriers in the African Diaspora
• Top 3 Writer Collaboration Tips
• Cross Promotional Marketing Tips
• Reader Engagement Tips
• Sharing Resources and Opportunities

"Our goal is to continuously strengthen the writing, voices, and unification within the Black writing community, and to also establish Toronto as a hub and key international location for Black writers to feel welcome, supported, and enhanced as artists." ~ TU Book Expo

Writers and literary supporters from all communities are welcome to attend!

Contact: tube@kyapublishing.com

Information: TUBookExpo.com