KONNECTION // March 2024

 

#NBWC2024 // Where Do We Go From Here? The 17th National Black Writers Conference, one of the major programs of the Center for Black Literature, took place from March 20 to 23 at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York and it was fantastic! Inspiring, empowering, and educational, we encourage you to attend an upcoming session if you haven't already! As a national conference, this public gathering is dedicated to the exploration of "emerging themes, trends and issues in Black American literature," African diasporic literature, and African literature. Over the decades, it has attracted thousands of writers, readers, scholars, editors, agents, faculty, students, literary activists, and all lovers of Black literature. NBWC seeks to address themes and stereotypes in Black literature, the legacy and forward direction of Black literature, as well as the renaissance in Black literature, Black thought, and Black life. The Conference also seeks to expand conversations on race, identity, history, and genre. Thank you to the Ontario Arts Council for sponsoring the developmental travel grant for us to attend this year's conference! Visit the OAC website to view and apply for a range of funding opportunities for Ontario artists and arts professionals. Keep up with the Center for Black Literature for their activities and programs year-round, and to check out next year's conference: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM DANCEHALL REBEL // New Teen Novel Reggae music continues to be bold and fearless. The new teen novel Dancehall Rebel written by Stacey Robinson is based on the legacy of resistance and empowerment naturally embedded in reggae culture. Dancehall Rebel is currently featured on Reggaeville.com and the TMU (Toronto Metropolitan University) Alumni Book List! Available via Amazon and Indigo books. OPPORTUNITY FOR WRITERS // YA Fiction If you are interested in writing a contemporary, social justice focused story for middle grade, young adults, or teens, please visit the James Lorimer & Co. Ltd., Publishers website to review their submission guidelines and see if your idea will be a good fit!

KONNECTION // February 2024

 

TU BOOK EXPO // Celebrating 10 Years of Programming & Support for Writers!

Looking for writer tips, informative presentations, or a little bit of inspiration? We invite you to get familiar with our website TUBookExpo.com, and our social media accounts @TUBookExpo on Twitter/X, @TUBookExpo on Facebook, and TU Book Expo on YouTube for ten years' worth of writer resources, events, workshops, publications, and development!

Do you have writing projects, literary events, or book news to share? Tag us on Instagram @TUBookExpo and we'll happily repost! You are welcome to connect with our team and past participants to continue networking in the spirit of support, community building, and providing a comfortable and culturally welcoming space for writers to thrive! For those who have inquired, we do not have a Toronto Urban Book Expo planned for 2024, but we welcome your messages and conversation at tube@kyapublishing.com, and will continue to share workshops and opportunities from our peers and promotional partners.

DANCEHALL REBEL // Book Available Feb 13

February is Reggae Month! Reggae music continues to be bold and fearless. The young adult novel Dancehall Rebel is based on the legacy of resistance and empowerment naturally embedded in reggae culture.

As Katrina Lacey writes in her article Rastafari, Reggae, and Resistance, "...despite its mainstream viability and entertainment value, reggae music originated as a deeply political form of protest and contestation against the colonial and imperialist forces operative in the social context of Jamaican life." Click here to read our blog post, including links to a few relevant readings and musical lists that demonstrate the various ways in which reggae music has been centered in change and movement!

LAVERN LEWIS // Inspiring Books & Journals

Canadian Author Lavern Lewis has recently published 9 books (available on Amazon!), including a journal geared towards Black men, a journal for Black women, and a additional journals for everyone to enjoy! Be sure to also take a look at her Black Knowledge Activity Puzzle Book series: engaging educational tools!

Please scan the QR codes above, or click on the book titles listed here for order details: Cooking With Mom | Women's Journal | All Journal | Men's Journal | Express Yourself | Travel | Black Knowledge vol.#1 & Black Knowledge vol.#2 | Recipes For My Daughter

OPPORTUNITY FOR WRITERS // YA Fiction

Canadian authors! If you are interested in writing an empowering contemporary story for young adults and teens, please visit the Lorimer website to review their submission guidelines and see if your idea will be a good fit!

INFO SESSION // Literary Grants for Writers

The Toronto Arts Council is having a Literary Projects information session on Thursday, February 15th from 12-1:30pm EST on Zoom. Learn more about the funding program that has supported many of our events and activities over the years. Registration: https://2024literaryprojects.eventbrite.ca "Project activities can include writer-in-residence programs, literary festivals, conferences or symposia for literary professionals and their audiences, series or performance events that incorporate any or all of the following: readings, storytelling, dub poetry, spoken word, etc. ..." For additional information about the program, please contact the Literary Arts Projects Program Manager, Rudrapriya Rathore at rudrapriya@torontoartscouncil.org.

GET LOUD // Ontario Library Association's 2024 Super Conference in Toronto

The Ontario Library Association (OLA) Super Conference took place from January 24 to 27 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and was filled with presentations, author signings, giveaways, and LOTS of amazing books! We had a great day taking in the titles, publishers, and library professionals in support of accessible, educational, and enjoyable reading.

Keep up with the OLA for their activities and programs year-round, and to check out next year's conference: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

KONNECTION // January 2024

 

YA FICTION // Books About African Canadian Children & Teens from Lorimer Check out these engaging stories from Canadian publisher James Lorimer & Company, Ltd.! Ace and the Misfits by Eddie Kawooya | New to Canada, Ace is battling ignorance, bullying, and a new culture. Now he seeks to regain his confidence and show himself he has the tools to make it in his new life... Not Talking About You by Kevin heronJones | Not Talking About You portrays racism as it occurs amongst young Canadians today. It explores the impact on the target and on bystanders who have to decide how to react when they find a racist youth in their midst... The Hoop and the Harm by Jawara Pedican | ...with the clarity and poetic style of a seasoned writer, and drawing on his own time as an elite sports prospect, Jawara Pedican shows the trials and traumas of becoming fixated on a dream of sports stardom. Shades of Black by Carlos Anthony | Shades of Black is an honest and authentic portrayal of life as a young Black male teen in today’s culture and environment at an urban school in Toronto’s Etobicoke neighbourhood... Additional Lorimer titles from African Canadian writers Johnny Boateng, Dirk McLean, Wanda Taylor, and Eric Howling are also available. We encourage you to view their full catalogue for a range of powerful and culturally reflective narratives and characters! DANCEHALL REBEL // Available in February In the YA novel Dancehall Rebel, a teen shares her dad’s vibrant Caribbean musical legacy but is burdened by the homophobia that comes along with it. She needs to find a new path for the music and for herself. Author: Stacey Robinson Publisher: James Lorimer & Company Ltd. Publication Date: February 13, 2024 ISBN: 9781459418141 OPPORTUNITY FOR WRITERS // YA Fiction James Lorimer & Company Ltd. is an independent publishing house based in Toronto that publishes children's and teen fiction (and non-fiction) focusing on reluctant and struggling readers. Their titles are widely recognized and recommended by children's book reviewers in Canada and the U.S., with an adult list also focusing on contemporary Canadian social and political issues. Authors! If you are interested in writing a story for young adults and teens, please visit the Lorimer website to review their submission guidelines and see if your idea will be a good fit!  TORONTO TALES // Growing up in the 90s Documenting the young adult culture and style of the 90s, Kya Publishing offers a collection of fictional novels and short stories reflecting a range of interpersonal experiences for African Canadian characters. LEARN MORE “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” – CW Elliot VIDEO // International Writers' Workshop Have you seen the recap video from the most recent IWW, the Black Writers' Wellness Check-In? This past summer, the event featured a panel discussion with authors Stacey Ann Berry and Kamilah Haywood, spoken word performances from Lalaa and Glowz, and opportunities for attendees to network and meet with presenting artists. Authors from Kenya (Mutendei Writes), Barbados (Wilmont St. Cyr), and Jamaica (Andre L. Simpson) joined us virtually, along with a special opening from Robin Rice and an informative online presentation from Dr. Dobijoki Emanuela Bringi. Sponsored by the Toronto Arts Council, the session was hosted by Cleveland author Jameel Davis, and took place at the Lauft flexible co-working and event space. Take a look! LEARN MORE