Nadia L. Hohn
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My Very First Writing Residency

6/22/2018

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I am so excited to share the news that I will be doing my very first freakin' writing residency in 2019 at the Joy Kogawa House in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  

I have been sitting on this news for a few months now. And a writing residency is something that I have always wanted to do but felt too scared to project far enough into the future, afraid to get rejected, afraid to have my work and career compared to others who have published more than I have.  I've applied for other writing residencies and not get in.  I also saw that there are literally a dizzying number of writing residencies that exist worldwide, in the far reaches of the globe for months, perched on the side of mountains, smack in the middle of an ancient ruin, and arctic tundra, up to a year at a time.  It seemed a little too reclusive and hermit-ish which made it a bit intimidating for my tastes.  What if I "lose it" while writing alone without human contact?  And as ridiculous as this may sound, I need to remind myself that a writing residency or retreat mind you is not an isolation chamber.  There are often opportunities to interact with other writers and communities.  Some writing residencies very little, having me wonder if the potential income could cover my expenses and debts and others nothing, and others had me scratching my head.  Complicated by the fact that I am a full-time teacher during the school year, it is challenging to take off six months or eight months at a time for a huge income cut.  It's one of the dilemmas that I experience when I have to choose between my writing career and my teaching career.  Nevertheless, I decided to apply to the Joy Kogawa House Writing Residency.  Partly because I have had an interest in trying out life in Vancouver (for a few years now) and the fact that a shorter residency of three months was offered, I thought I would give it the "old college try".

Well, it worked! 

I am proud to have been selected to be a writer in residence at the childhood home of one of Canada's well-loved children's book authors, Joy Kogawa.       
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Author Joy Kogawa receiving the Order of BC
The Joy Kogawa team did me one better and offered me a two-month residency over what would have been my summer holidays from teaching in 2019.  Plus, I get the change of scenery that I need to work on my writing projects while getting involved with the Vancouver writing community and run events and workshops.  It helps that I already have a few contacts on the West Coast which I will surely be hitting up once I am there plus getting some serious writing in.

Just think of it.  The salty Pacific air and the damp humid rainforest, long summer days and mountains, and the creak of wooden floors in a cozy cottage.  I will be drinking a mug of tea, the warm glow of a lamp, and a circle of writers clutching notepads and laptops.  The grey sky and beads of rain on the windowpanes... I close my laptop and ride my bicycle to buy a righteous organic locally-grown and sourced rice bowl with steamed tofu and nori and lots of vegetarian fare (because I'm vegetarian.) Sigh!  The west coast.  I digress...
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​I am especially honoured to be the writer in residence at a site where the values of social justice are ones that are held dear-- by Joy Kogawa, the Joy Kogawa House Selection team, and me.  Born in Vancouver, BC in 1935 to first-generation Japanese Canadians, Joy Kogawa was a survivor of the evacuation, persecution, and internment of thousands during World War II.  Her award-winning novel, Obasan, tells the story of a young Japanese-Canadian girl who survived this period.  And now, I get to connect my own stories of being also a first-generation Black child of Jamaican Canadians, a writer, and an advocate for social justice.  (My Master of Education degree started in Social Justice & Cultural Studies which was moved to the department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education which is now since been changed to Social Justice Education, y'all.  I have an MEd in SESE, y'all.)  I first learned about Obasan because of my younger sister having to read it in her gifted program.  Although I have not yet read this book, I know that is a book that has been adapted to theatre.  I am trying to adapt my book Malaika's Costume to theatre as well.  I also write diverse stories in which social justice is an underlying theme.  
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I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity.

It's predestined y'all!

​Stay tuned!!!

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What Am I Reading 3. Mid-Year Goodreads Reading Goal, Apr to Jun 2018

6/16/2018

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     As of writing this e-mail, I have read 41/50 books which means I have reached 82% of my 2018 Goodreads reading goal.  I have found many ways to read and have now added classroom read-alouds-- reading a few pages of a young adult novel to my Grade 8 students-- to the list.  I am currently in the midst of reading 5 books at the moment.  Let me illustrate how I am able to do this-- 1) The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton is the book I keep in my bathroom (yes, TMI too much information), 2) Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi is the e-book I have on my kindle (I read it as I run), 3) Around the Way Girl by Taraji P. Henson is an audiobook in my car, 4) The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (this is a read aloud to my students I began for indigenous heritage month and works very well for these purposes but it is so unfortunate about the sexual harassment allegations that allude him), and lastly 5) a book about Brazil that I must read the first two chapters.  I am looking forward to summer vacation (I am a full-time teacher) when I will have more opportunities to relax and read and not only read while doing everyday functional activities.

     As of March 25 2018, the following are the books that I have completely read so far.  You may notice two things that will be different about this post, there are no pretty book covers nor reviews.  The covers are too time-consuming to amass at this moment and time is very precious and in low supply these days.  As for my reviews for these books, these can easily be found on Goodreads.  (I love writing reviews and I have written two so far professionally.)  If you would like to read my reviews see what books I have coming out, please add me (Nadia L. Hohn) as a friend on Goodreads.  In the meantime, I promise to find a more efficient way to show the books I read.  

The titles listed below were fascinating, inspiring, and rich.  The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks inspired me to re-apply for an MFA in Creative Writing or at least take more courses in writing non-fiction and write more in this genre.  The Sun Is Also A Star simply touched my heart.  The Skin I'm In was such a compelling read and an excellent read aloud.  These are my March 26 to June 16 titles:

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Hurricane Child by Keryn Callender

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

No One Can Pronounce My Name by Rakesh Satyal

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

I've Been Meaning to Tell You: A Letter to My Daughter by David Chariandy

The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors

Runaway by Alice Munro

Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Mother of the Sea by Zetta Elliott

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

Around the Way Girl  by Taraji P. Henson
​
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Spring 2018 Nadia's Notables Newsletter

6/8/2018

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​In this issue…
  1. Recap of February School Visits
  2. Miss Lou Book
  3. Writers to Watch in 2018
  4. Agent search
  5. Librarian 101
  6. Diversity Award and SCBWI Canada East Writing Conference
  7. Kweli 2018
  8. Massachusetts Mini-Tour 2018
  9. Highlights 2018
  10. Grants
  11. Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter
  12. Malaika’s Costume 2nd print run
  13. Words of Advice
  14. Important dates
 
Dear Readers,
 
Spring has sprung!!! Thank you for being so faithful and encouraging.  I appreciate the notes you have sent.  They have meant a lot.  Each time you have reviewed or endorsed my book, thank you.  It has been a busy four months.  I have been to New York City and state, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania in the United States and Ottawa and other parts of southern Ontario in Canada.  I have decided to make my e-newsletter seasonal again since my schedule has become busier. I look forward to upcoming research/learning trips to Brazil and California for SCBWI conference in LA this summer.  If you will be close, please reach out. 
 
Sincerely,

Nadia

1.  Recap of February School Visits
I had a wonderful February presenting and signing books at 13 locations in Ontario and New York with almost 30 individual events and sessions.  This has been my busiest February to date and I thank a flexible school principal who allowed me to make this possible since I teach full-time.  As you may know, February is recognized as Black history month (also known as African Heritage Month) so naturally it is busier for an author of African descent, like myself.  If you are interested in having me present in February 2019, please contact me early.
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​2.  Miss Lou Book
So excited to announce the good news I've been sitting on for months. My 6th book (3rd picture book) will be making its way into the world in 2019. I have been working on the story for 7 years. Thank you so much to my teachers, critique partners, workshop leaders, Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario grants, community, and my publisher, Owlkids. The long overdue story of the late Jamaican poet, writer, playwright, and performer, Miss Lou, will be known.  The announcement was shared in Publishers Weekly and Quill & Quire.  Read here for more details: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/76888-rights-report-week-of-may-14-2018.html  You can also read my blog post about ithere http://www.nadialhohn.com/miss-lou-book.html

3.  Writers to Watch in 2018
I feel blessed to be among the 6 Black Canadian Writers to Watch in 2018 as listed by CBC Books.  You can read the article here http://www.cbc.ca/books/6-black-canadian-writers-to-watch-in-2018-1.4512356 and listen to the interview here http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1164405827858.

4.  Agent search
I am still on the agent search.  At this point, I am still in this process so announcements yet.  At this point in my writing career, I feel that an agent will help me get to where I want to go.  An agent will also help me to “shoulder” some of my duties that exist outside of the actual writing.  As a writer who also teaches full-time, delegating some of my duties is a necessity.

5.  Librarian 101
I decided to take an online additional qualification course so that I can become a school librarian.  The timing might be a little more than I can chew but it will be wrapping up over this very busy month.  At the moment, I am teaching full-time French and English to middle school students in a classroom.  I love books and keep my options open.

6.  Diversity Award and SCBWI Canada East Writing Conference
I received the first ever SCBWI Canada East Rising Kite Diversity Award in Ottawa at the conference in April.  This was a very proud moment for me.  I thank SCBWI Canada East for considering me a worthy recipient of this award which included a certificate and tuition for the 2018 Canada East Writing Conference. This conference experience was a treat.

7.  Kweli 2018
In April, I was back in New York City where I attended the Kweli: Color of Children’s Literature Conference.  It was wonderful to see how this conference grew since I attended the first one in 2016. So many special moments at #Kweli18 and too many to name at the moment but these included an intensive with author Angela Johnson, affirmation and encouragement from author Rita Williams-Garcia, reconnecting with colleagues Zetta Elliott, Alix Delinois, Andrea J. Loney, and Susan Yoon, chats with my Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter editor Tamar Mays and editor Namrata Tripathi, meeting new people, and attending wonderful sessions.
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​8.   Massachusetts Mini-Tour 2018
​On May 20, 2018, I presented Malaika's Carnival Storytime at the Eric Carle Museum for Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts.  What a wonderful time!  The Eric Carle Museum for Picture Book Art has a real respect for picture books, children's literature, art, and creators/authors/Illustrators. This was a highlight of my five day mini-tour which included a short stop at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center in Pennsylvania, a school presentation at Woodward Memorial School in Massachusetts, and short visits with family.  

9.   Highlights 2018
The place where inspiration happens. Looking forward to my next visit.  I attended the Retell, Revisit, Reimagine: Writing Fresh Fairytales and Folktales sessions presented by authors Julie C. Dao and Annamaria Mclemore at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center.  Thankfully I was able to attend this event though it meant driving to Pennsylvania early to make in time for my presentation at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

10.  Grants
Each time I apply for an arts council grant, award, or contest, I am never sure which direction it will go. I have completed applications for several grants (specifically for my writing) since 2013 (and if you include my film festival days, since 2001). Sometimes getting them done means a sleepless night, burning the midnight oil after a long day of teaching... At other times, it means driving through rush hour traffic to make the cut off time or spending an exorbitant amount on postage at the post office. I have applied for several and often receive the "no"s and sometimes there are so many applications sent out that I lose track of them and then finally... tonight, my prayers have been answered. Thank you Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des Arts du Canada for believing in my dreams. Happy tears.
 
This grant will allow me to go to Brazil this summer to complete research for a young adult novel that I have been working on for a long time.  In preparation, I am repolishing my Brazilian Portuguese through audiobooks and classes, reading, planning accommodations, and listening to a lot of music. I can check innoculations and VISAs off my list.  In Brazil, I will also participate in a Summer Teacher Institute with American educators through the Centre for Latin American Studies at Tulane University.  In addition, I will attend the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference in Los Angeles, and take more time and escape to focus on some writing projects this summer

11. Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter
​Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter (aka book #5) is right on schedule and slated for publication on December 31, 2018 by Harper Collins Kids.  This Level 2 early reader biography will be a part of the I Can Read series.  It has been a wonderful experience so far of working with my editor Tamar Mays and the team.  Please visit the website for updates here.  https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062432841/harriet-tubman-freedom-fighter/

12.  Malaika’s Costume 2nd print run
I am excited to say that the 2nd print run of my first picture book Malaika’s Costume is now available in stores and online.  And this time, it has all of the awards and endorsements on the back.  Copies of the hardcover book arrived in the United States and Canada around the week of May 15, 2018.  Malaika’s Costume is once again for your purchasing pleasure.  I am currently working on my third book in the Malaika… series (aka book #7).

13.  Words of Advice
Take breaks.  (This one Is for me also.)

​14.  Important dates Malaika's Carnival Presentation
Tuesday, July 31, 2018 2-3pm
High Park Library
​Toronto, ON, CANADA

Malaika's Costume and Winter Carnival Book Signing
Sunday, July 29, 2018 Time TBA
Chapters Brampton 
Brampton, ON, CANADA
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Malaika's Costume and Winter Carnival Book Signing
Friday, July 27, 2018
Indigo Yorkdale
Toronto, ON, CANADA

Malaika's Costume and Winter Carnival Book Signing
Sunday, July 22, 2018 11am-2pm
Indigo Kids Ajax
Ajax, ON, Canada

Malaika's Carnival Presentation
Friday, June 8, 2018 10am-12pm
School Presentation in Stouffville, ON
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Eric Carle Museum Visit 2018

6/3/2018

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On May 20, 2018, I presented Malaika's Carnival Storytime at the Eric Carle Museum for Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts.  What a wonderful time!  The Eric Carle Museum for Picture Book Art has a real respect for picture books, children's literature, art, and creators/authors/Illustrators. In the museum, there were 2 exhibits-- Eric Carle and Paddington Bear. I am so honoured to receive a complimentary membership so you know I must return especially for the upcoming Leo and Diane Dillon exhibit. Thanks for your support Eric Carle Museum! 

This was a highlight of my five day mini-tour which included a short stop at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center in Pennsylvania, a school presentation at Woodward Memorial School in Massachusetts, and short visits with family.  
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Me in 2016 at the museum
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Me in 2018 at the museum
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Left my mark in the Eric Carle Museum author autograph book.
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    Nadia L. Hohn

    Write or die chick.

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