Thursday, March 20, 2025

KONNECTION | March 2025

BOOK REVIEW PLATFORMS // Young Adult & Middle Grade Literature

Whether you're submitting a YA or MG book review on behalf of a friend or favourite author, or seeking one from an established platform or peer, reviews offer valuable insight and critique for your writing. They can also enhance your visibility, strengthen your credibility, and contribute to increased book sales.

Here's a list of some influential book reviewers and platforms for youth literature:
KIRKUS REVIEWS | Offering in-depth reviews on all genres; known for their honesty and often critical reviews.

BIBLIOVIDEO | For young readers, librarians, teachers, parents, authors, illustrators, researchers, and those who want to learn more about great Canadian books.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL | Key resource for librarians and educators; recommendations are trusted for school and library collections.

CANADIAN REVIEW OF MATERIALS | Published weekly with reviews from teachers, librarians, and professors.

NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW | Highly regarded for thoughtful critiques and discussions on notable YA books, showcasing the latest trends and movements.

GUARDIAN CHILDREN'S BOOKS | UK-based, with reviews from professional critics and young readers, offering unique insights into the YA genre.

COMMON SENSE MEDIA | Reviews media with a focus on appropriateness for children and teens.

CBC BOOKS | Recommendations, seasonal previews, and articles.

YA BOOKS CENTRAL | Reviews from teens and adults; a popular platform for discovering new and upcoming YA releases.

GOODREADS | A large community of book lovers, including reviewers who are influential within the platform.

EPIC READS | From HarperCollins, a go-to source for YA book recommendations, offers a mix of professional reviews, author interviews, and community-driven content.

NOVELIST | A subscription source for booklists and reviews, available in school libraries.

CANLIT FOR LITTLE CANADIANS | Blog of reviews to help discover links to Canadian authors and publishers.

If you'd like to share a book review platform with us, please email konnection@kyapublishing.com

KEVIN HERONJONES // Writer in Residence

Kevin heronJones is Brampton’s first Writer in Residence. This exciting new initiative is co-presented by Brampton Arts Organization, Brampton Library, and the FOLD Foundation. Kevin will be in-residence at Gore Meadows Branch Library from February 24 to April 25, 2025.

ELEVATED WAVES PUBLISHING // New Titles

Congratulations to Cleveland Author Jameel Davis for being recognized with an International Impact Book Award for Men's Health, for his book Completely Naked!
Coming soon from Elevated Waves PublishingNot All Hands Feed You from M.E. Robinson, and The Skeletons Within from Anne O'Kaye!

WRITERS DAY // Conference on March 22

The 2025 Writers Day Conference is designed to inspire and educate writers of all levels. It offers a unique platform for networking with like-minded individuals and industry professionals, providing valuable opportunities to forge new connections and collaborations.
Participants will gain exclusive insights into the writing world from seasoned experts and thought leaders to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their craft. For more information or to register, please contact oliverose29@yahoo.com or visit the event page.

EDITING SERVICES // Support for Writers

Kya Publishing Inc. is dedicated to elevating diverse voices through professional writing and editing services, including:
  • Copyediting your article, manuscript, paper, or document
  • Copyediting your children's book or novel
  • Resume writing/updates
  • Biography/profile writing
  • Promotional content writing
Learn more at kyapublishing.com/editing

NATIONAL BLACK WRITERS CONFERENCE // Honoring Black YA & MG 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.

"Come immerse yourself in the wonders of Young Adult and Middle Grade literature. These genres serve as energizing forces for cultivating and nurturing the critical reading and writing habits of a cross-generation, and helps to affirm issues of self-esteem, literacy, identity, and fosters awareness of the contributions to literature by Black writers."

Registration is now open; for more information and symposium details, visit the Center for Black Literature website.

REFLECTION & REASON BLOG // The Digital Diaspora

"Black youth innovate and cultivate joy while using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, as they express their cultural identities, explore new ideologies, and build community with one another through Direct Messages, engaging in commenting, and by subscribing and supporting the creativity of others. They are also becoming lucrative as the model involves financial support for creators, who are rewarded for the entertaining content they curate..." READ FULL POST

SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITY // Canadian Young Adult & Middle Grade Manuscripts

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 youth through fiction!

RESEARCH // University of Toronto Project

To participate, please contact k.simms@mail.utoronto.ca or visit the project website.

DANCEHALL REBEL // A Toronto Teen Story

In the novel Dancehall Rebel (Lorimer Kids, 2024) a Caribbean-Canadian teen with big dreams and a love for reggae music navigates family expectations and cultural traditions.

ORDER INFO

Monday, February 24, 2025

KONNECTION // February 2025

FREEDOM TO READ WEEK // Feb 23 - Mar 1

"Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom. As of 2024, Freedom to Read Week entered a new phase led by Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, and the Ontario Library Association in partnership with the Book and Periodical Council." Learn More

OLASC // "Keeping it Real" Panel Discussion

On January 30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Black Canadian kidlit creators group Sankofa's Pen presented a panel "Keeping it Real: Featuring Books with Lived Experiences into Children's and Young Adult Fiction," featuring Sarah RaughleyLiselle SamburyCarlos AnthonyJulie Thompson, and Sade Smith.

The panel was moderated by Nadia Hohn and highlighted the following topics:
  • Experiences with identity, and collective generational experiences
  • Navigating and surviving Canadian culture
  • Emphasizing Black joy, understanding Black boys and mental health
  • Book bans of Black/ racialized/ LGBTQ stories
  • Support for Black authors after the 'George Floyd' era, and the current discussion of DEI and pushback on 'wokeness'
A few thoughts shared from the panel:
  • Efforts to reframe past experiences, for the benefit of today's youth
  • How writing cultural topics is healing for authors
  • The plurality of Black Canadian experiences within various genres of fiction
  • The availability of authors beyond February/Black History Month
  • The crucial role of the librarian in gatekeeping or putting the right books into the right hands
Stay connected with the Ontario Library Association, and look out for announcements for their upcoming events, and next year's Super Conference by visiting their website here.

CONFERENCE // Writers Day

"The 2025 Writers Day Conference is designed to inspire and educate writers of all levels. It offers a unique platform for networking with like-minded individuals and industry professionals, providing valuable opportunities to forge new connections and collaborations...
Participants will gain exclusive insights into the writing world from seasoned experts and thought leaders to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their craft."

For more information, contact oliverose29@yahoo.com, or visit the event page.

SUPPORT FOR WRITERS // View Our Services

Kya Publishing Inc. is dedicated to elevating diverse voices through professional writing and editing services, including:
  • Copyediting your article, manuscript, paper, or other document
  • Copyediting your children's book or novel
  • Resume writing/updates
  • Biography/profile writing
  • Promotional content writing
Learn more at kyapublishing.com/editing

NATIONAL BLACK WRITERS CONFERENCE // Highlighting Black YA and MG 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.

"Come immerse yourself in the wonders of Young Adult and Middle Grade literature. These genres serve as energizing forces for cultivating and nurturing the critical reading and writing habits of a cross-generation, and helps to affirm issues of self-esteem, literacy, identity, and fosters awareness of the contributions to literature by Black writers."

Registration is now open; for more information and symposium details, visit the Center for Black Literature website.

REGGAE MONTH // Dancehall Booklist

February is Reggae Month! We have curated a list of dancehall books (non-fiction, children's, and fiction) from the last 25 years. These texts are documenting history, analyzing trends and activities, and communicating recommendations, success, ideologies, and other elements of dancehall reggae music culture. View Booklist

KEVIN HERONJONES // Writer in Residence

"Kevin heronJones is Brampton’s first Writer in Residence. This exciting new initiative is co-presented by Brampton Arts Organization, Brampton Library, and the FOLD Foundation. Kevin will be in-residence at Gore Meadows Branch Library from February 24 to April 25, 2025."
Pre-order Kevin's new teen novel "Hacking Heartbreak" (Lorimer Kids, 2025) or one of his previous titles by visiting kevinheronjones.com.

DANCEHALL REBEL // Canadian Teen Novel

In the novel Dancehall Rebel (Lorimer Kids, 2024), a Caribbean-Canadian teen with big dreams and a love for reggae music navigates family expectations and cultural traditions. Order Info

OPPORTUNITY // Black Canadian Research

To learn more about this project, please contact Kyla Simms at k.simms@mail.utoronto.ca or visit the Project 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!