KONNECTION // April 2024

 

Books for Black Teens & Young Adults (YA)

This month we'd like to focus on books for young people navigating life’s transitions, joys, and social challenges. Here are a few recently published lists, primarily featuring Black characters, and written by Black authors. Take a look at the various titles, support the featured writers, and take heed of the intention to inspire and educate through story! CBC | 18 CANADIAN BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS TO READ  EPIC READS | 50 YA BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ (ESPECIALLY FOR BHM) RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY | BHM CANADIAN BOOKS FOR TEENS   THE CANDID COVER | 106 YA BOOKS BY BLACK AUTHORS: AN ESSENTIAL READING LIST Together, we are guiding and informing the most effective (and engaging) literature for our Black Canadian youth and their peers. We invite you to take our brief survey by clicking the image below; your feedback and recommendations will help us with our programming and activities.

SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITY // YA Fiction

Do you have a contemporary, social justice-focused story for middle grade, young adult, or teen readers that you're excited to write? Submission Guidelines Here

YA FICTION // Black Canadian

Browse these (and more!) young adult fiction titles, for a range of topics, characters, and experiences to guide and inspire young readers.

DANCEHALL REBEL // New Teen Novel

Dancehall Rebel is based on the legacy of empowerment naturally embedded in reggae culture. This book is a savvy tale of a teen finding the confidence and voice to be an agent of change in her musical culture—and with her family. Available via Amazon and Indigo books.

www.kyapublishing.com // info@kyapublishing.com

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