Calabash Literary Festival (Jamaica) |
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| The Calabash International Literary Festival is a distinguished cultural event offering a unique blend of literature, music, and storytelling. Free and open to the public, it features readings, author interviews, and open-mic sessions, drawing an impressive lineup of both established and emerging literary voices from around the world. |
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Dates: May 23-25, 2025
Location: Treasure Beach, Jamaica
FESTIVAL DETAILS |
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 | | Calabash Literary Festival (2023) |
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The BLK Book Lounge: A Literary Experience |
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The BLK Book Lounge: A Literary Experience is taking place on May 31 from 3pm to 8pm at D’Or (10 Gatineau Dr., Thornhill, Ontario). "Expect a lounge-style atmosphere with a touch of opulence featuring book readings, a curated bookshop, special guest speakers, a book launch, appetizers & drinks, and meaningful connection. Dress to impress and come ready to celebrate Black literature in style."
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Submitting Your Story Idea for Publication |
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Are you thinking about submitting your middle grade or young adult story idea for publication? If you're a new writer or considering making a move from self-publishing to traditional publishing, understanding the process is key. We've put together a clear, step-by-step overview (from idea generation to publication) to help guide you. If you'd like a free PDF copy of our overview, please email us at konnection@kyapublishing.com. |
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Writing About Social Issues for Youth |
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| When creating stories for middle grade and young adult audiences, exploring contemporary social issues can create relevant and engaging books and also encourage dialogue, empathy, and critical thinking. |
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| Here's a list of themes and challenges that affect young people, and can serve as powerful inspiration for your next manuscript: Mental Health and Well-Being: Mental health awareness, anxiety and depression, suicide prevention, substance use and addiction, body image and eating disorders. Economic and Housing Challenges: Economic disparity and poverty, affordable housing and homelessness, youth employment, and financial insecurity. Identity, Equity and Inclusion: Racism, anti-Blackness, and discrimination, Indigenous identity and reconciliation, LGBTQ2S+ inclusion and gender identity, cultural identity, diaspora and immigration, sexism and gender equity, disability, and accessibility. Social Pressures and Digital Life: Bullying and cyberbullying, social media and self-image, digital privacy, and online behavior. Community, Family and Belonging: Family dynamics, divorce, caregiving, foster care, friendship, loyalty, peer pressure, education inequity and access, youth activism, and civic engagement. Environment and the Future: Climate change and environmental justice, urban development and green spaces, sustainability, and youth-led solutions.
If you'd like to chat about your potential story development, contact us at services@kyapublishing.com! |
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Re-introducing Author Kamilah Haywood |
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A Toronto-based author and advocate, Kamilah Haywood (aka KWoodZ) is known for their powerful urban fiction that delves into the realities of inner-city life. Through their writing and activism, they amplify marginalized voices and speak to the struggles and triumphs of modern-day Toronto. |
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Kamilah is deeply involved in community work and serves with several organizations, including: - Elizabeth Fry Society
- Prison Transparency Project
- Rittenhouse: A New Vision
- Canadian Coalition for Children with Incarcerated Parents
- Grand Valley Institution for Women, facilitating the Find Your Voice Workshop (founder) supporting incarcerated women through literature
- W.A.R. Productions (founder), producing music videos to raise awareness about social issues
- For the People By the People and Get it Dun Inc., amplifying community concerns through music
Visit website to learn more and order books by Kamilah Haywood. |
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Submission Opportunity for Authors |
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Canadian publisher Lorimer Kids is currently accepting children's and teen fiction proposals from experienced Canadian writers--contemporary stories that engage with real-world issues and inspire young readers to think critically.
Visit the James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers website for their submission guidelines. |
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The U.S. Book Show in New York City |
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A conference on publishing and the business of books, now in its fifth year, the U.S. Book Show "brings the publishing world together for a day of insightful conversations, expert panels, and invaluable networking. From the direct-to-reader revolution to AI, digital marketing, streaming, Hollywood, audiobooks, career growth, and more, the program tackles issues shaping the industry’s future." |
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Taking place on June 3 in New York City, the keynote address will be presented by Joy Bivens.
"Bivins, who has led the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York since 2021, will be in conversation with Randy Winston, creative director for fiction at the Black List."
EVENT DETAILS |
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Schomburg Centennial Festival |
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"Join the Schomburg Center for Black Literature at 135th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem for the official Schomburg Centennial Festival on Saturday, June 14! It will combine elements of the Schomburg’s Literary Festival and its Black Comic Book Festival. Come for readings with your favorite authors and comic creators, cosplay, panel discussions, a marketplace, and more; stay for our block party—featuring musical performances from hip-hop legend Slick Rick and others."
FESTIVAL DETAILS |
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Are You Looking for a Copyeditor? |
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Kya Publishing Inc. welcomes new clients for editing services. If you’re working on a creative project and require experienced support, we’d be happy to connect with you for an assessment.- Manuscript editing (children's books, teen/adult fiction)
- Resume or bio editing (job applications, grant submissions)
Contact us at editing@kyapublishing.com or visit our website for details. |
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The Canadian Children's Book Centre AGM |
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The Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 1-2:30pm EDT.
"Join us for a year in review, learn about our current programming for 2025 and meet our incoming board members."
Members and the public are welcome to attend: REGISTER HERE |
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