KONNECTION // December 2024

 

#NBWC2025 // Symposium Honoring Black Young Adult & Middle Grade Literature The Center for Black Literature's National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium (#NBWC2025) returns Thursday, March 27 to Saturday, March 29, 2025 held in-person and virtually at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York. "This Symposium, a culturally enriched literary gathering of writers, educators, literary professionals and the general public, specifically targets Young Adult (YA) and Middle Grade (MG) literature by Black authors, a genre that has expanded over the last two decades. This genre serves as an energizing force for cultivating and nurturing the critical reading and writing habits of a cross-generation of readers and writers, helps to affirm students’ self-esteem, literacy, identity, and awareness of the contributions of literature by Black writers." Registration is now open; for more information and symposium details, visit the Center for Black Literature website. REFLECTION & REASON // Sustaining & Communicating Sound System Culture Read our overview of World Bash: New York Edition, a sound system concert that took place at Amazura in Queens, New York on Friday, November 29, presented by Irish and Chin's Sound Chat Radio. "The access is everything. The small things matter too. The ecosystem requires that all elements work together. Every lyric. Every legend. Reggae history is tangible, and we can't take for granted that we are living in significant moments that require preservation. We know this because many of us have witnessed and experienced its power over the course of decades in our lives. Our ancestors knew what they were doing, and alas, so do we..." READ FULL POST HERE DANCEHALL REBEL // A Teen Novel  A Caribbean-Canadian teen with big dreams and a love for reggae music navigates family expectations and cultural traditions in "Dancehall Rebel," available now from Lorimer Kids (2024).  REFLECTION & REASON // Mega (Wo)Men of God "Recognizing that our North American/Western society is going through an odd transition of celebrity life, but also political life, technological life, and an overbearing scrutiny of the truth...the ability to receive, interpret, and implement progressive messaging is limited at best. Limited, but necessary..." READ FULL POST HERE WRITERS // Submit Your YA Book Proposal Canadian Publisher Lorimer Kids is currently open for children's and teen fiction proposals from experienced writers. Visit their website for complete details and submission guidelines, and join the growing list of diverse authors who are guiding and entertaining our youth through their fiction! MEMBERSHIP // The CCBC "The Canadian Children's Book Centre remains the only national organization dedicated to the promotion and support of Canadian books for kids and teens. Our publications, Canadian Children’s Book News and Best Books for Kids & Teens, are the last remaining publications solely focused on reviewing and recommending Canadian children’s books and supporting the world of Canadian children’s literature." Canadian books help children explore the cultures and identities that surround them at school, in their communities and in their own homes. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CCBC SEE YOUR WORK PUBLISHED // Killens Call for Submissions for the Killens Review of Arts & Letters (Spring 2025): Black Youth "For the Spring 2025 issue, the editorial team of the Killens Review seeks short stories, essays, creative nonfiction, poetry, art, and photography. Inspired by the theme of the upcoming NBWC Biennial Symposium, Honoring Black Young Adult & Middle Grade Literature, we are soliciting content that addresses Black children, adolescents, and/or young adults as its primary audience or subject." SUBMISSION DETAILS Deadline extended to December 20, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST. RESEARCH PROJECT // Black Canadians "My name is Kyla Simms, and I am a researcher from the Faculty of Arts and Science in the Sociology Department at the University of Toronto. My research supervisor is Dr. Luisa Farah Schwartzman, also from the University of Toronto. I am conducting a research study about the ways Black second-generation Caribbean-Canadians and African-Canadians experience and understand race, ethnicity, and national belonging in Canada... ...I am looking to speak with individuals who self-identify as Black, who were born and raised in Canada, and have at least one parent who was born in the Caribbean or Africa. Participants should also be 30 years of age or older. A $15 gift card will be provided upon completion of the interview. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me at k.simms@mail.utoronto.ca. To protect your anonymity, please just use Research on Black Canadians in the subject line." VISIT KYLA'S RESEARCH PROJECT WEBSITE SUPPORT FOR WRITERS // Copyediting Kya Publishing provides editing services for independent and professional writers. We ensure your voice and context are preserved while enhancing your clarity and impact. Whether you’re writing fiction, non-fiction, or academic work, we can support you in presenting polished, meaningful content that connects with your audience. VIEW EDITING SERVICES DANCEHALL REBEL // Reggae Playlist Click the image below to listen to songs from Lila Ike, Rita Marley, Shenseea, Ammoye, Etana, and more! Inspired by the teen novel Dancehall Rebel.

KONNECTION // November 2024

 

KIDS' LIT AUTHOR TOUR // Sankofa's Pen This November and December, Sankofa’s Pen presents their 10th Anniversary Ujima and Ujamaa Tour! These pop-ups serve as meet and greets, book signings, and audience and relationship building opportunities with local Black vendors in the Greater Toronto Area. Authors: there is still an opportunity to participate in the Manifest Bookstore event in January--please register by end of day on Thursday, November 28 if interested. For more info, contact sankofaspen@gmail.com or visit @SankofasPen. #NBWC2025 // Symposium Honoring Black Young Adult & Middle Grade Literature The Center for Black Literature's National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium (#NBWC2025) returns Thursday, March 27 to Saturday, March 29, 2025 held in-person and virtually at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York. "This Symposium, a culturally enriched literary gathering of writers, educators, literary professionals and the general public, specifically targets Young Adult (YA) and Middle Grade (MG) literature by Black authors, a genre that has expanded over the last two decades. This genre serves as an energizing force for cultivating and nurturing the critical reading and writing habits of a cross-generation of readers and writers, helps to affirm students’ self-esteem, literacy, identity, and awareness of the contributions of literature by Black writers." Registration begins on December 1; for more information and symposium details, visit the Center for Black Literature website. WRITERS // Submit Your YA Book Proposal Canadian Publisher Lorimer Kids is currently open for children's and teen fiction proposals from experienced writers. Visit their website for complete details and submission guidelines, and join the growing list of diverse authors who are guiding and entertaining our youth through their fiction! SANKOFA // A Journal of African Children's and Young Adult Literature Sankofa: A Journal of African Children’s and Young Adult Literature is preparing for their Summer 2025 (Vol. 15) publication. This issue will focus on the theme “Gendering and Sexuality in African and African Diaspora Children’s and Young Adult Literature.” "Diversity and inclusion have long been essential aspects of children’s and young adult literature. As the world continues to evolve, particularly concerning gender and sexuality, it is imperative that literature for young readers reflects this diversity. Traditionally, heterosexual masculine characters have dominated children’s and young adult fiction, while heterosexual female characters often appeared underrepresented and marginalized. Gender representations in literature have often reinforced heteronormative models, marginalizing non-heteronormative identities. For African and African Diasporic writers, there has been a notable emergence of female voices reflecting their lived experiences as children and young adults. Generally, contemporary authors have been increasingly open to exploring gender and sexuality in their characters, presenting diverse textual forms that reflect characters’ sexualities and behaviors." For article submission guidelines, previous editions, and additional information, visit their website SankofaJournal.com. REFLECTION & REASON // Don't Say A Word (Kibba You Mouth) "They were us. We evolved with them. We partied with them, directly and indirectly. Needless to say, all of the Hollywood/entertainment industry news, and revelations, conspiracies, and headlines are both eerie and sad because as much as the actions and behaviours are ridiculously horrendous, we literally grew up believing in this magic. Not realizing it was actually magic..." READ FULL POST HERE SUPPORT FOR WRITERS // Copyediting Kya Publishing specializes in providing culturally-specific editing services for independent and professional writers. Understanding diverse cultural narratives, we ensure your voice and context are preserved while enhancing your clarity and impact. Our services are offered at competitive rates, making professional editing accessible to writers aiming to share their authentic stories. Whether you’re writing fiction, non-fiction, or academic work, we can support you in presenting polished, meaningful content that connects with your audience. VIEW EDITING SERVICES

KONNECTION // October 2024

 

KIDS LIT // Young Adult vs Middle Grade

Have you considered writing books for a middle grade or young adult audience? Are you interested in transitioning from writing children's/picture books or adult fiction, to writing fiction for children and teens? Youth literature is divided into Middle Grade Fiction (for readers between the ages of 8 and 12), and Young Adult Literature (for readers between the ages of 12 and 18).

"The Key Differences Between Middle Grade vs Young Adult" Literature (via Writer's Digest): MIDDLE GRADE | The age of the protagonist is typically 10 for a younger MG novel, and up to 13 for older, more complex books. The mindset has a focus on friends, family, and the character’s immediate world and relationship to it; characters react to what happens to them, with minimal self-reflection. MG books should not have any profanity, graphic violence or sexuality (romance, if any, is limited to a crush or a first kiss). YOUNG ADULT | Content may include profanity, graphic violence, romance, and sexuality (except for eroticism)--allowable, though not required. Protagonists are 14–15 for a younger YA with cleaner content aimed at the middle-school crowd; for older and more edgy YA, characters can be up to 18 (but not in college). The mindset has YA heroes discover how they fit in the world beyond their friends and family; they spend more time reflecting on what happens and analyzing the meaning of things.

Additional insight, from Writer's Digest experts: Author/Literary Agent Marie Lamba Kids wants to read about characters older than they are; you'll want your protagonist to be on the oldest side of your readership. Middle Grade novels tend to finish on a hopeful note, while Young Adult books may have less optimistic endings. If you are going to be risky in language and subject matter, make sure it's for a specific and valid purpose. Know who your readers are, and tell a story that is meaningful to them. Author/Literacy Advocate Fleur Bradley A strong permise leads to a strong story. Find your voice and tone; remember what it was like to be a kid, and write from that perspective. Make sure your protagonist is the one solving the conflict, not the adults. Remember the gatekeepers (parents, teachers, librarians) who will make the judgement on whether it's okay to give the book to children. Don't forget to read Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction. Not just the classics: read what is being published today.

THE LIST // Toronto Public Library Teens

Every year, the Toronto Public Library releases a list of recommendations for teens. Take a look at the books selected "to make you laugh, cry, reflect, debate, celebrate and grow!" The List includes the best 100 newly published books for teens, and reviews from teen volunteers. VIEW THE LIST & WATCH BOOK REVIEWS HERE

ADVOCACY // Freedom to Read Banned Books

Stay connected to these special movements promoting the freedom to read, and raising awareness of banned books (books removed from public libraries and schools, that are labelled as offensive or inappropriate, or books that are challenged for censorship for certain audiences). Penguin Random House recently created a list of 15 Frequently Banned and Challenged Books. “In looking at the titles of the most challenged books from last year, it’s obvious that the pressure groups are targeting books about LGBTQIA+ people and people of color," said American Library Association President Emily Drabinski, earlier this year. “At ALA, we are fighting for the freedom to choose what you want to read. Shining a light on the harmful workings of these pressure groups is one of the actions we must take to protect our right to read.” This past weekend (October 19), PEN America joined libraries, readers, and writers across the U.S. for Freedom to Read Day of Action, uniting against book bans and demonstrating a shared commitment to the freedom to read and the joy of reading. The free expression organization participated in events at public libraries in New York City, Brooklyn, Boston, and Washington, DC. VIEW RESOURCES TO SHARE AND RAISE AWARENESS YEAR-ROUND

If you're not already familiar, check out the previous campaigns and messages from Freedom to Read Week, and Banned Books Week, follow their social media accounts, and see how you can be prepared and get involved for 2025.

FREEDOM TO READ WEEK | February 23 to March 1, 2025 An annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, led by Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, and the Ontario Library Association in partnership with the Book and Periodical Council. Freedom to Read Week has become a nationwide campaign uniting readers, writers, publishers, schools, libraries, bookstores, universities, colleges, and other organizations across Canada. LEARN MORE

BANNED BOOKS WEEK | October 5 to 11, 2025 Banned Books Week was launched in 1982, responding to a surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. The annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings the entire book community together—librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types—in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. LEARN MORE The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom has been keeping statistics on book ban attempts since 1990. Exercise your intellectual freedom with these frequently challenged books: VIEW LIST HERE

ATTN WRITERS // Submit Your MG or YA Book Idea

Canadian Publisher Lorimer Kids is currently open for children's and teen fiction proposals from experienced writers. Visit their website for complete details and submission guidelines, and join the growing list of diverse authors who are guiding and entertaining our youth through their fiction!

SUPPORT FOR WRITERS // Copyediting

Kya Publishing provides personalized, high-quality editing services that will professionally enhance your story while respecting your voice and vision. LEARN MORE

BIPOC LITERATURE // Replay of Discussion with Black Canadian Authors

In the days leading up to his Nuit Blanche event, highlighting 12 Hours of BIPOC Literature, author Carlos Anthony hosted "an incredible IG Live session with Black Candian authors Eddie Kawooya and Kevin heronJones. We dove deep into our journeys as writers, the challenges of navigating an industry that often falls short of our expectations, and how we’re breaking down barriers to dismantle gatekeeping in publishing." The authors also shared excerpts from their books—"stories that explore identity, resilience, and the Black experience. It was an important conversation about creating space for our voices and lifting each other up along the way." VIEW IG LIVE REPLAY HERE

SURVEY // Books for Black Teens & Young Adults

We'd love to hear your thoughts and related experiences reading and writing influential young adult literature. Please take a moment to complete our short SURVEY.