Kya Publishing Celebrates Toronto's Caribbean Carnival with new Novel, Soca Soundtrack, Junior Costumes & Children's Book

TORONTO, ONT. (April 2014) – Kya Publishing is honouring Toronto’s rich Caribbean Carnival culture with the release of carnival-themed products this summer: a novel entitled Carnival Spotlight, a groovy soca mixtape, children’s carnival costumes for the parade, and a children’s story book. This collection of releases will authentically take readers and participants through the preparation and enjoyment of this Canadian tradition.

“Every year, hundreds of thousands of people look forward to participating in the Caribbean carnival in Toronto,” said Robinson, who founded Kya Publishing in 2007 specifically to document Canada’s urban community and culture. “I love the energy of carnival, and I wanted to capture its essence in print, music, and costume.”

Carnival Spotlight, the novel, features 35-year-old Delia Chinn, a former high-profile reggae dancer who is enticed back into a seductive party lifestyle when she meets members of the Groovy Massive soca dance group and joins the Carnival Groove masquerade band.

The Carnival Spotlight soundtrack features an 80-minute collection of 2014 groovy soca hits, mixed by Toronto’s DJ Majesty and featuring MC Brenton B.

For the Junior Carnival, Kya Publishing will be producing children’s costumes (designed by Melissa Marshal-Drukarsh) for the Toronto Revellers masquerade band, the reigning Junior Carnival Band of the Year. This will be Robinson’s second time as a children’s costume Section Leader.

Along with the children’s costume, Robinson has created a children’s story and colouring book, Allyuh Eat Already, that will be made available to all youth participants in the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival’s Junior Carnival.

“All of Kya Publishing’s activities are inspired by the people, the music, the food, the events, and the culture of urban Toronto,” said Robinson. “Toronto’s Carnival has been—and continues to be—such a big part of my life. I wanted to make sure that Kya Publishing canonized the personal tales and arts surrounding this event so the wonderful experiences can continue to be celebrated over the generations.”

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Kya Publishing Releases Journal of Canadian Urban Fiction

TORONTO, ONT (February 2014) – Toronto publishing company Kya Publishing has released the first edition of their Journal of Canadian Urban Fiction this month. Published bi-annually, the journal will feature editorials, articles, commentaries, and book reviews, highlighting research in the field of urban fiction and examining cultural and literary works from an urban perspective.

Created to advance Canadian Urban Fiction and literary scholarship for urban writers, the theme of the inaugural edition is "Defining Canadian Urban Fiction," which follows up on a Kya Publishing panel discussion from February 2013 at the Toronto Public Library where urban writers gathered to investigate the genre of fiction and what it means in the Canadian publishing landscape.

"Canadian Urban Fiction is a relatively new genre, and takes on a completely different form than American/international urban fiction," said Kya Publishing founder, Stacey Marie Robinson. "We have started this journal to clearly define the scope of Canadian Urban Fiction, identify the common themes and sentiments, and of course, to begin a body of research that will assist future writers in classifying their work and expanding this genre."

The Journal of Canadian Urban Fiction will also provide a venue for academic discussion, progressive debate, and critical analysis of issues surrounding the development and growth of Canadian Urban Fiction.

"The first issue features writers Angelot Ndongmo, General, Keishia Facey, Queeny, and Angela Walcott, and covers a range of issues about cultural identity and the role of literature in its development," said Robinson. "This journal will be a safe space for writers to discuss urban identity, deconstruct their culture and beliefs, and of course celebrate the writing that drives the culture forward."

The Journal of Canadian Urban Fiction is available online at www.CanadianUrbanFiction.com.

Kya Publishing Donates Toronto Urban Book Expo Proceeds to Rita Cox Endowment Fund (Toronto Public Library Foundation)

TORONTO, ONT (February 2014) – Toronto publishing company Kya Publishing has donated the proceeds of their first annual Toronto Urban Book Expo (TUBE) to the Toronto Public Library Foundation, in support of their Rita Cox Endowment Fund.

The TUBE took place on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Malvern branch of the Toronto Public Library (the home of the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection), and was an exposition of urban Canadian writers, featuring presentations and expert sessions, with networking opportunities for Toronto-based authors and their supporters.

"Thanks to the Rita Cox Collection, writers like myself and many others have a home in the Toronto Public Library," said Kya Publishing founder, Stacey Marie Robinson. "It is an important part of Kya Publishing's mandate to support urban literature/writers, so this gift will help ensure that more opportunities are established for other Canadian authors."

Also available at the Maria A. Shchuka, Parkdale, and York Woods branches, the Rita Cox collection is "recognized as one of the most significant Black and Caribbean heritage collections in Canada. It is an invaluable resource for the Black and Caribbean community as well as students and researchers," according to the Toronto Public Library Foundation.

Dr. Rita Cox worked as a librarian with the Toronto Public Library from 1960 to 1995, and began her Heritage collection in 1973 at the Parkdale branch. A renowned storyteller, she is the recipient of the 1996 Canadian Library Association Public Service Award, and the Black Achievement Award, as well as honourary degrees from York University and Wilfred Laurier University. Dr. Cox was also appointed to the Order of Canada in 1997 for her work in literacy and storytelling.

"It is an honour for me to have my books in this historical collection," said Robinson. "The Toronto Public Library has been a great supporter of Kya Publishing's initiatives, and it is with pleasure that I present this donation to their Foundation."

To donate to the Rita Cox Endowment Fund, in support of the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection, please contact the Toronto Public Library Foundation at (416) 393-7123 or visit www.tplfoundation.ca.