Kya Publishing Launches New Website

TORONTO, ONT (February 2015) - Canadian independent publishing house, Kya Publishing, has just launched a new and improved website, featuring a hub for all of their book, event, social media, and service information. In preparation for their upcoming Toronto Urban Book Expo (February 28 at the Toronto Public Library's Malvern Branch), the site will serve as a reference point and guide for their urban fiction-focused activities and products, year-round.

Kya Publishing--owned and operated by Toronto-based author Stacey Marie Robinson--is a proud supporter of "Canadian Literature Inspired by Urban Culture," and will use the website as a resource for writers and readers in the community who are interested in the growth of the genre of Canadian Urban Fiction.

"I love Toronto's urban culture as well as the publishing process; this website is the perfect way for me to combine those passions and link them to my books," said Robinson. "Through communication services, music, and Kya Publishing's initiatives, this website will be a helpful tool to connect the urban writing community, and also to celebrate and document Canadian urban culture."

Features of the website, www.KyaPublishing.com include:

HOME PAGE: News, live Twitter feed, links to Soundcloud account, social media sites, and book orders

NEWS: Connection to Kya Publishing news, and the Urban Toronto Tales entertainment/review blog

EVENTS: Information about Kya Publishing's featured/upcoming events; details on previous events

BOOKS: Plot overviews and direct links to order/purchase

SERVICES: A list of publishing/communication services and pricing

ABOUT US: Press releases, links to the Journal of Canadian Urban Fiction, and Kya Keys Book Donation Program

Visit the new site at http://www.KyaPublishing.com !

Blackstarline Readers Book Club to Hold Open Meeting at the TORONTO URBAN BOOK EXPO

TORONTO, ONT (January 2015) - The legendary Blackstarline Readers Book Club has been added to the festivities of the second annual Toronto Urban Book Expo, taking place on Saturday, February 28, 2015 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at the Toronto Public Library's Malvern Branch. The Book Club will hold an open meeting at the Expo, and chat with special guest author Kamilah Haywood, discussing her new Canadian Urban Fiction novel "Concrete Jungle."

The two-hour open meeting will take place from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the Library, and will give readers an opportunity to take part in the discussion with Kamilah Haywood, observe the book club process, and interact with members of the group.

"We are excited to have this group of avid readers join our celebration," said Kya Publishing founder Stacey Marie Robinson. "The Blackstarline Readers are committed to supporting black writers and understanding their vision. We welcome anyone who is curious about the book club process to drop in and participate for a portion, or all of the meeting."

The Blackstarline Readers have been meeting as a book club to read, break bread, and discuss books since 1997. The premise of the book club is to foster reading and provide a platform for discussion while discovering and supporting authors from the diaspora. In doing so, the book club has supported Black owned or operated book stores in Toronto since its inception. They have also welcomed guest authors such as Austin Clarke, Rachel Manley, and Nalo Hopkinson to read and discuss their works. Blackstarline members have volunteered in children's reading circles in Toronto, and provided donations to pencil drives for children in Africa. In September 2006, the Blackstarline Readers were featured in Essence Magazine as book club of the month. Check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blackstarline.readers.

For more information about the Toronto Urban Book Expo, please contact stacey@kyapublishing.com or 647-342-3040.

TORONTO URBAN BOOK EXPO to Feature DJ Majesty & Music Giveaways

TORONTO, ONT (January 2015) - Kya Publishing is pleased to announce that Toronto's DJ Majesty will be providing the musical entertainment and CD giveaways at their second annual Toronto Urban Book Expo on Saturday, February 28 at the Toronto Public Library (Malvern Branch).

DJ Majesty (aka Ryan Lowe) is known for his versatility, and mixing skills in a variety of genres from hip hop to reggae, R&B, soca, old school and pop music. He has created two soundtracks for the stories of Kya Publishing including: The Urban Toronto Tales Soundtrack (8 mixes representing the 8 books in the collection), The Carnival Spotlight Soundtrack (a groovy soca mix highlighting the carnival-themed novel), and the latest promotional mix for the Toronto Urban Book Expo.

"Kya Publishing's slogan is 'Canadian Literature Inspired by Urban Culture' and a huge part of urban culture is the music," said founder, Stacey Marie Robinson. "DJ Majesty has consistently created the perfect soundtracks to my novels, and his musical expertise will set the right mood as participants come to enjoy the urban writers and their books at our book fair."

While the genre of Canadian Urban Fiction is relatively new in Canada, events like the Toronto Urban Book Expo and the participation of urban authors like Kamilah Haywood, Kwame Osei, and Simone DaCosta will help to bring recognition to the talented writers in the city, and their projects.

"It is an honour for me to be a part of this celebration," said DJ Majesty. "We are all artists, whether we DJ and mix music, rap, sing, write books, create artwork, or play instruments. It is important that we work together to keep our culture authentic, and to support the growth of the urban entertainment industry here in Canada."

The Toronto Urban Book Expo takes place from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at 30 Sewells Road at Neilson Road in Scarborough; all ages are welcome to attend and admission is free. For more information, please contact stacey@kyapublishing.com or call 647-342-3040.

Connect with @DJMajesty101 online on Instagram or Twitter. A collection of his mixes are available for download on Soundcloud. 

Preview the DJ Majesty TORONTO URBAN BOOK EXPO promotional mix here: