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. 

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. 

Kya Publishing Forms Promotional Partnership with Kenyan Writer Mutendei Akhaya Nabutete

TORONTO, ONT (December 2020) - Toronto publishing and communications company Kya Publishing has joined creative forces with Kenyan-based writer Mutendei Akhaya Nabutete, and will be establishing collaborative promotional and cultural activities to highlight cultural products and writing.

"We have always admired Mutendei's unique sense of politics, the arts, and his ability to view culture and literature from an international perspective," said Kya Publishing founder Stacey Marie Robinson. "His intelligence and writing abilities will be an informative and welcome addition to our operations."

Manager of a book/comic and vinyl store in Nairobi, Mutendei is closely connected to the artist trends in the African city. Born in Kenya, he has moved between Toronto, Canada several times before settling back in Nairobi in 2014. 

"The World's Loudest Library is an artspace that caters to support the artwork of local artists, functioning as a mini-marketing hub, as well as showcase gallery," said Mutendei. "I am currently the manager of the store, that focuses on select books from Kenyan authors with historical and cultural relevance as well as inspiring biographies of local iconic persons. In addition, we also focus on classical vinyl music of all genres--vinyl music is a very vogue thing in Nairobi, and patrons of vinyl also consume unique books."

Several of Mutendei's books have focused on the Black identity, the political economy, fighting the system (neo-colonialism) from within, and the generational divide of immigrants within an urban setting. He also enjoys writing untold stories of neglected genres, African mythology, and historical stories within a relevant modern context. He has converted his "Shadow Walkers" novel into a comic series, that was featured on CNN African Voices.

Through the partnership, Kya Publishing and Mutendei will explore African comics with culturally diverse and culturally educative stories, in addition to producing and sourcing products from other Nairobi-based artists. Mutendei's leadership will present curated access to Kenyan culture, literary activities, and publications.

From being a participant at the first Toronto Urban Book Expo in 2014, up until his recent contribution to the 2020 Book Expo (with a guest blog article "The Role of the African Writer"), Kya Publishing looks forward to continuing the partnership and connecting new cultural works and experiences.

To learn more about Mutendei, and his books "Everything Mutendei," "Spruce Avenue," "A Thriller Story," and "Shadows in the Twilight," connect with his website "Mutendei Writes."