Friday, January 21, 2022

International Writers' Workshop // Exploring Literary Cultural Barriers in the African Diaspora on February 26, 2022

TORONTO, ONT. (February 2022) - Uniting Black writers virtually from across continents, the third edition of the International Writers' Workshop is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 26, 2022 on the Zoom platform from 1:00 pm to 3:00pm EST. This event is presented by the TU Book Expo, and sponsored by the Toronto Arts Council, Toronto's Kya Publishing, Nairobi's Mutendei Writes, Cleveland's Elevated Waves, and Toronto's Bstellar Group Inc.

Honouring Black History Month, this session will explore the theme of "Literary Cultural Barriers in the African Diaspora." Hosted and moderated by Mutendei Writes, the workshop features presentations from Jameel DavisStacey Ann Berry, and Adam H.C. Myrie, and contributions from panelist Kamilah Haywood. Discussion and participation from attendees is encouraged!

Registration is free for all writers, with an optional fee for a session workbook with resources and writing activities.

Writers and literary supporters from all communities are welcome to attend: REGISTRATION LINK. For additional information, please visit TUBookExpo.com, or contact tube@kyapublishing.com



Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Kya Publishing Offers New Books, Services, & Resources to Develop & Share Black Canadian Stories

Toronto-based company enters 16th year of Black Canadian cultural documentation

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.

To request review copies or connect with authors, please contact info@kyapublishing.com.


Thursday, November 04, 2021

Kamilah Haywood's "The Hidden Track" Now Available in Stores and the Toronto Public Library

TORONTO, ONT. (November 2021) - The fourth novel from Toronto-based fiction writer Kamilah Haywood, "The Hidden Track," is now available for purchase at the Indigo Spirit store in Scarborough Town Centre, Glad Day Bookshop (Toronto), and also in circulation at the Toronto Public Library.

The Hidden Track is based on the Canadian sex trafficking industry and is a story about a young woman who journeys through the dangerous underworld from Nova Scotia to Ontario.

Kamilah—a queer, Black, Canadian fiction author of Jamaican heritage—writes books depicting the unfiltered, authentic, and occasionally dark side of Toronto life. Through raw details and intimate narratives, they have captured issues from female incarceration to sex trafficking, relationships, coming of age, and spirituality through their intensely gripping novels.

At 107 pages, "The Hidden Track" is also available in paperback and ebook format online through Kya Publishing, or via Amazon.