TORONTO (January 2022) – Kya Publishing is gearing up for a productive 16th year of operation, with an increase to writer resources, developmental author events, and continued opportunities for international Black writers to connect across digital platforms. They are also celebrating the recent release of author Kamilah Haywood’s 4th novel “The Hidden Track” and forthcoming 10th book from SM Robinson, “Bonafide.”
The expanded Kya Publishing website now includes comprehensive listings of Black writers, cultural blog articles, author research, and resources for Black Canadian students, Caribbean carnival and Canadian reggae archives, a range of writing and editing services, musical soundtracks, writing workshops, and two new novels to their catalogue of 14 books.
“Just like the Harlem Renaissance in the 20s and 30s, or the Jamaican independence/rocksteady reggae era in the 60s, there is a specific time, space, and energy of Toronto life that represents and uplifts our generation that we hope to capture, and cultivate, communicate, and celebrate through our books and activities,” said SM Robinson, who founded Kya Publishing in 2007 as an outlet to publish her own books when finding a traditional mainstream publisher was no longer an accessible or practical option.
Kya Publishing’s catalogue of 14 books highlights Black Canadian protagonists in a range of novels and short stories covering topics from love and relationships, sex trafficking, incarceration, the entertainment industry, and coming of age. All stories have a focus on self-awareness, self-development, and most importantly, cultural documentation. Unapologetically. Unfiltered.
“We endorse the connection and development of Black writers across the
African diaspora, as they also work to share their stories, experiences, and
lessons with readers,” said Robinson. “Over the past fifteen years we have evolved
into a platform that works to establish this global community and
infrastructure to support long-term development.”
Kya Publishing is a proud sponsor of the TU Book Expo collective of Black writers,
that has produced the Toronto Urban Book
Expo book fair since 2014, hosted the virtual International Writers’ Workshop, and presented
community sessions for writers and literary enthusiasts.
