Kya Publishing Shares Online Resources for Writers

TORONTO, ONT (September 2018) - Toronto-based communications company, Kya Publishing, has expanded their website to include a range of resources for writers. The newly updated online hub will now also host writing tips, educational guides, and other niche-specific tools to assist cultural writers and communicators.

The website, which currently features musical products, an author directory, links to their research journal and other programs, in addition to their book sales, is designed to be a beneficial resource for cultural content creators who are looking for urban-specific writing tools or Canadian references.

Urban writing (based on experiences of the inner-city, as well as based on African-Canadian and African-American cultural trends) is essentially an independently supported industry, with limited resources available in educational institutions or formal instruction. The industry has primarily grown through grass-roots initiatives and self-published authors, and has developed and been sustained over the years through the publishing houses, events, readers of the genre.

Hosted on the Kya Publishing website, under the specific Resources page, the new hub will expand over time as needs are expressed, and content is made available from contributors and the urban writing community.

"In addition to providing Canadian Urban Fiction books and reading materials, Kya Publishing hopes to contribute to the development and education of urban writers and community members as well," said Kya Publishing's Stacey Marie Robinson. "Writing can be a lonely endeavour, so we want to encourage individuals to easily find a support system with us as they write and work on their craft--particularly in the genre of urban fiction."

To submit, or to inquire about Kya Publishing's resources, please email services@kyapublishing.com.

Kya Publishing Launches Online Author Directory

TORONTO, ONT (August 2018) - Kya Publishing has just launched an online author directory featuring participants from their Toronto Urban Book Expo events from 2014 through 2018. The directory, which currently lists almost 100 writers, will serve to connect interested readers with a unique grouping of novelists, children's writers, poets, and non-fiction authors.

Hosted on the Kya Publishing website, under the event-specific Toronto Urban Book Expo page, the list of featured authors was created to complement the book fair experience. The directory gives readers and community members an extended opportunity to contact the writers, and also provides increased exposure for the artists and their products.

"We created the Toronto Urban Book Expo to support local authors, independent writers, and to provide international artists with access to a Canadian audience," said Kya Publishing's Stacey Marie Robinson. "As we continue to build our event, and increase community awareness of the fabulous books and ideas that these authors have produced, we want to ensure that we're doing our best to contribute to their growing readership, and offer another venue for sales and communication."

This year marked the 5th occurrence of the Toronto Urban Book Expo, Kya Publishing's annual book fair. Hosted in collaboration with the Toronto Public Library, with support from the Toronto Arts Council, it is a culturally-specific space where predominantly African-Canadian, African-American, and Caribbean writers from a diverse range of literary backgrounds display their books to a readership that is often difficult to connect with en masse.

"There are challenges in building--and finding--our reading audience, however, Kya Publishing is committed to this process," said Robinson. "It is our hope that the online listing of authors can be easily accessed by new readers, and available year-round for those who enjoy urban fiction, multi-cultural children's literature, and other genres that are usually only found in niche bookstores and locations. We want all of the authors we've interacted with to do well, and look forward to spreading the word about this additional outlet."

For more information about the Toronto Urban Book Expo, please contact the planning committee and Board of Directors at TUBE@kyapublishing.com.

Kya Publishing Announces TORONTO URBAN BOOK EXPO Board of Directors

TORONTO, ONT (August 2018) - Kya Publishing has just announced the Board of Directors for their Toronto Urban Book Expo (TUBE). Since 2014, TUBE has hosted over 100 writers from across Toronto, Ontario, and visiting from the United States of America, in a book fair dedicated to urban literature and cultural texts.

"Over the years we have connected with so many talented and community-minded writers," said Kya Publishing founder, Stacey Marie Robinson. "With our new Board of Directors we will continue to brainstorm ways in which our Book Expo can best serve the writing community, provide exposure for independent and published authors, and also promote youth literacy and a love for reading."

The Board of Directors and their areas of responsibility are as follows:

Jeffrey Lee Cheatham II (Seattle, Washington) - Literary Festivals & West Coast Liaison

Jameel Davis (Cleveland, Ohio) - International Communication & East Coast Liaison

Kamilah Haywood (Toronto) - Youth & Community Outreach

Ancil London (Toronto) - Visual Communication

Marsha Mohammed (Toronto) - Logistics & Planning

Angelot Ndongmo (Toronto) - Children's Programming & Awards Presentation

Camille Ramnath (Toronto) - Education & Diversity

Stacey Robinson (Toronto) - Publishing