There are a few ways that I can do this but time is of the essence so I'm going to share with you my 2017 and then my writing intentions for 2018.  Seeing how much I love lists, this post is chock full of them.
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Highlights of 2017

Best of nine photos are all the rage this time of year on Instagram so here are my #Bestofnine for 2017.

• Presenting author at Emirates Airline Festival of Literature (aka Dubai Literature Festival)
• having my sister visit me in UAE
• visiting my cousin in Portugal
• celebrating the life of my brother Roury
• spending last moments with my publisher Sheila Barry
• playing Mas' at Cropover in Barbados
• celebrating my 40th birthday
• my 2nd picture book Malaika's Winter Carnival (aka book #4) launched in August, accepting an CLASP Americas Award honor for Malaika's Costume and making a speech at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

What couldn't fit in my #bestofnine #bestofnine2017 cube but were also highlights to my 2017:

• Highlights Foundation retreat in Fundamentals of Writing Biography in Honesdale, Pennsylvania
• spending time with niece and nephew in NYC
• desert camping
• travel to 12 countries (see below)
• started dating again
• attending the #teamsoca wedding of Njeri and Tomee
• getting closer to signing more book deals and an agent
• getting closer to finishing writing projects started years ago
• getting bookings for author visits
• new teaching jobs (one in Dubai, one in Vietnam which I eventually turned down, and now one at home in Toronto) 
• spending time with friends and family.

Challenges:

• losing my job
• moving from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
• moving from UAE back to Canada
• grief in losing my publisher Sheila Barry and my brother Roury
• finances
• dealing with loss.

​God guided and supported me through it all. ​

Thank you to author Hélène M Boudreau for inspiring me to do the 2017 kidlit author roll call. Writers, please share your progress!

My Writing Goals 2017

• ​12 manuscripts (4 picture books, 1 mg, 4 young adult, 3 non-fiction)
• 1 book award
• find an agent
• Malaika... book # 3
• finish Malaika... play manuscript
• 5 book contracts

How did I do with my goals as of today (December 31, 2017)?

• 5 manuscripts (3 picture books on submission, 1 non-fiction manuscript Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter set for publication by HarperCollins in 2019, 1 young adult at 36, 000 words)
• 1 Americas Award Honor by the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP) at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC for Malaika's Costume (acceptance speech below)

• began manuscript submissions to agents and so far received a few positive responses
• Malaika... book #3 is one of the 5 manuscripts listed above and currently in development
• currently working on Malaika... theatrical adaptation (again) in a playwriting course (the same one I took 2 years ago) and currently at 8 scenes
• 3 book contracts in the works (after receiving 3 rejections, 2 of which are turning to work on other projects)
• I applied to arts grants to assist me in covering the research and living costs to completing these
• Malaika's Winter Carnival, sequel to my first picture book, was published by Groundwood Books in August 2017 and completed the book trailer in November 2017 

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 ​     Have a blessed and happy holiday season!   I wish to recognize everyone who is celebrating the many holidays at this time of year.  I hope that you are surrounded by love and positive vibes.  I am excited to have two weeks off to celebrate, relax, chill, refocus, and meditate.  I will be celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa this year and looking forward to 2018.  Stay tuned for my 2017 highlight reel. 

Dear Readers,

     As the holiday season approaches, it is the perfect time to buy books.  There are some spectacular books to give the children in your life.  Books inspire, promote learning, develop literacy skills, endorse family and community bonding, and support creators.  A great gift is my new picture book Malaika’s Winter Carnivalwhich is just in time for the winter season.  Also, this time is perfect for celebrations.  It is also an award season.  A huge congratulations to the winners of the TD Canada Children’s Book Awards, Governor Generals, and Giller Prize.  This is the time for Canadian authors to shine!

     I am also thankful and grateful for my process.  It has been a long road and I am thankful for the opportunities Sheila Barry gave to me.  If it were not for her, my picture books may not have found the home that they did at Groundwood Books, a publisher that aims to produce diverse work.  I am sorry to have to say goodbye to such a kind, talented, encouraging, and positive publisher in Sheila.  May she rest in peace!

     Especially during this holiday season, spend time with your loved ones and hold them close.

Truly,​
Nadia L. Hohn

1.    Back to School (Early Years Literacy at Ryerson, Writing Science Fiction at GBC, Playwriting at Tarragon Theatre)
     I am back at school [AGAIN] and it’s great.  I am taking courses that will compliment my study goals as well as strengthen my abilities as a writer.  I am completing a course in Early Years Literacy as one of two final courses before completing my diploma in Early Childhood Music Education (ECME) at Ryerson University Chang School, so it is after hours.  I am also taking courses to improve my writing skills.  First, I am taking Writing Science Fiction with Nina Muteanu where I learned more about the ins and outs of writing science fiction which could be applied to other genres as well. 
 
2.    Tribute to Sheila Barry
     A time to mourn. My heart is broken. I learned today that my publisher/editor Sheila Barry has passed away. Sheila was kind and honest with her feedback as an editor, a mother, and a wife. She believed in my abilities as a writer and in my stories when I didn't feel "good enough". I am honoured to have known and worked with Sheila. She acquired and edited both of my first picture books, “Malaika’s Costume” and “Malaika’s Winter Carnival”.  There was a certain magic about how she worked, her attention to details, her warmth of spirit, how she brightened the room, and how she said my name "Nod-cha." I always wondered about how she was able to pull together or identify what artist-author combination would work. How did she know which books would go on to win awards? How she helped Groundwood Books become one of the best publishers in North America. How she took risks like publishing my story about a little girl written in standard English and Caribbean patois? How she was committed to telling much needed diverse stories in the children's market? She was an advocate and has left a wonderful legacy. The last time I saw Sheila was at my book launch at A Different Booklist in August 2017. We were supposed to meet again after that but it didn't happen. Sheila was sick and I wish we had more time. I prayed she would pull through. We shared cancer stories too. I know how much she wanted to get better and how she really tried to be there until the end. This happened way too quickly and as I've come to learn from losing my brother in July, life is way too short and things can change suddenly. I will miss Sheila Barry. Prayers up, hugs, and condolences for her family and friends and for the Groundwood Books family. The Canadian Children's literature has lost a few this year.​

3.    CANSCAIP PYI
     On November 11, I attended CANSCAIP Packaging Your Imagination (PYI) conference 2017. I attended a workshop presented by author Emil Sher about how to turn your picture book into a play.  My second session was a panel about legalities in the children’s book industry.  I also attended a session on being an author-ilustrator and making a living as a children’s author who also writes in other genres. I learned a lot and it was great seeing my colleagues in Canadian children's literature but we need to have more diverse voices and representation too.
 
4.    Sankofa’s Pen Meet-Ups
     Moving this to Facebook Live in a monthly format.  The next one is on Saturday, December 9, 2017.  Tune into Facebook Live on my Facebook page.
 
5.    Highlights Foundation and Philadelphia Trip
     It was a very short trip to Philadelphia but hopefully not the last. I saw all this in about 4 hours, after I did storytime at Momo's Tree House and checked in to my lodging. Covered City Hall and public art like this giant afropick, the Liberty Bell, Mother Bethel church (the first A.M.E. African Methodist Episcopalian Church, Harriet Tubman's spiritual home after she escaped slavery and settled in Pennsylvania, the oldest plot of land consistently owned by African-Americans), Blackbird Pizzeria (a vegan pizzeria I discovered by accident), the African-American Museum of Philadelphia (AAMP), Jamaican history, and other interesting points of interest. I loved my Air B n B too. Definitely marked some places for my next visit.​

     The Fundamentals of Biography workshop I took at the Highlights Foundation in Milanville/Boyds Mill, Pennsylvania was a blessing! Every time I come to this place, I produce literary magic and my mind is abuzz with more stories and ideas. I benefited hugely from this time away to focus on one of my picture books and brainstorm ideas for others.  I learned so much from the experience of working with both Cynthia Levinson and Bethany Hegedus.  Bethany helped me to develop and shape a picture book manuscript that I had been working on for six years.  After having workshopped this manuscript, I was able to develop my story further.  Bethany and I both felt it was ready and I have begun to submit this manuscript to publishers and agents in Canada and the United States.

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​6.    Talking to Librarians about Diversity
     On November 20, 2017, I presented my talk “Who Will Hold the Pen?” to Toronto public librarians at the Northern District Library.  This was an hour long session focusing on diversity in children’s literature, my books, and a discussion.  Given that this was days after Sheila Barry’s passing, I dedicated the talk to her.  I quoted various scholars, authors, and researchers in this field including Zetta Elliott, Jacqueline Woodson, Junot Diaz, and Sheila Barry.  I also provided the latest figures on diversity in publishing, which surprised many about how far we still need to go.  I was thankful for this opportunity and looking forward to more like these.
 
7.    Words of Advice: CONTESTS!!!
     Contests, contests, contests!  There are a literally hundreds of contests that writers can enter and I am just begun to enter more of them this December 2017.  A contest can help you to polish your writing and get it to a certain level, get critiques and freebies like magazine subscriptions, publicity for your other work, and cash prizes.  Some of these contests have entry fees and others do not.  All you need to do is an internet search for “writing contests” or “writing competitions” and you will get thousands of results.  Some notable writing magazines maintain these lists as well such as www.writersdigest.com and www.thewriterlife.com.  Good luck!
 
8.    Important dates in December to May 2018 (Book me! nadialhohn@gmail.com)
Saturday, December 9, 2017 2-4pm       Reading and signing at Knowledge Bookstore in Brampton, Ontario, Canada
 
Late January 2018 (specific dates and times TBA) Quebec City/Montreal readings and signings
 
Friday, February 2, 2018 10:30-11:30am Malton Library, Mississauga, ON

Saturday, February 3, 2018 11am-12pm Richmond Hill Library, Richmond Hill, ON

Saturday, February 3, 2018 Totsapalooza in Toronto, ON

Saturday, February 10 Books of Wonder (location, time TBA)

Saturday, Febraury 10 Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, NY

Sunday, February 11, 2018 Books of Wonder (location, time TBA)

Friday, February 16 School presentation, Markham, ON

Saturday, February 17 2-5pm Yonge & Eglinton Indigo bookstore, Toronto, ON

Tuesday, Febraury 20, 2018 1-2pm Parkdale Public Library in Toronto, ON

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 1-2pm Barbara Frum Public Library in Toronto, ON

Thursday, February 22 and Friday, February 23 School Presentation, Brampton, ON

Saturday, February 24 High Park Public Library in Toronto, ON

Sunday, March 18 Vaughan Chapter’s Bookstore in Vaughan, ON
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May 2018 (date, time TBA) Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA

​​Do I really need a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Creative Writing?

     For the longest time, I believed that I needed an MFA.  However, over the years, based on advice from some of my published writing colleagues and my own realization, I realize that I don't need an MFA.  But still, there are days when I am envious of my writing colleagues who do.  Perhaps this "flip flop" resolution is because of the prestige, the status that I associate in having an extra three letters after my name.  Or, due to the feeling that I would then belong to an exclusive club of literary scholars.  Or, that I associate that I would feel more deserving of the accolades that my published works so far.  Or, I would feel more qualified to speak on certain topics or teach other writers or be a published author of books.  Or, that I would feel more like a writer and less like an imposter.  Or, the fact that I already applied to two Creative Writing MFA programs-- one at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2011 and the other at Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) in 2013-- and both times, my application was rejected.  I was disappointed after all of those essay questions, reference letters, photocopying, printing, and transcript ordering. But the truth is I realized that I am extremely qualified and have been creating my own Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree program in Creative Writing without realizing it.  Here's how... (so maybe you too can create your own MFA program without going thousands of dollars in debt although my opinion on this one changes frequently).  Let me tell you how I managed to become a writer without an MFA.

1.  Take courses... several.
     For me to become a full-time student again is expensive.  Thankfully, there are so many educational options that are convenient, flexible, and affordable.  During my years in completing my undergraduate degree, I took courses in multicultural children's, post-colonial, and adolescent literature.  In my thirties, I took night-time continuing education courses at George Brown College, a community college in Toronto.  So far, these courses are Writing for Children 1 and 2, Writing Non-Fiction for Children, Children's Book Illustration, and Writing Science Fiction.  I am taking a playwriting course at the Tarragon Theatre for the second time because I found the first one to be such a huge motivation.  Each of these courses ranged in price from $240-$300 at GBC and $500 at Tarragon (Canada).

2. Find a writing mentor.
     At some point in your writing career, having an experienced writer or coach walk alongside you while you complete your writing project is a necessity.  These individuals can be found quite easily either through a community college or university course, search engine, or recommendations.  I completed the Humber College School of Writers Correspondence Program in 2015 with my mentor author, Richard Scrimger.  Over a six month period, I worked on and managed to finish my middle grade manuscript and receive valuable feedback.  This program is normally about $3, 000 Canadian dollars but I applied and received a scholarship which knocked my costs down to $1, 000.

3. Create your residency by going on writers retreats.
     A writing retreat gives you time to write but also a supportive community of writers who can give you unconditional encouragement, critique, listening ears, and love.  In MFA programs, "retreats" are referred to as residencies but also involve classes, lectures, and intense work.  In my experience, retreats are in natural settings away from the busy city and you have teachers or guides to help you and include room and board.  You have no choice but to allow the creative literary juices to flow.  I have completed three writing retreats.  The first was in 2011 with a writing therapist through the Five Oaks, a United Church of Canada retreat centre, where I worked on my young adult novel and wrote an essay near Paris, Ontario, Canada.  I have also attended retreats at the Highlights Foundation in Honsdale, Pennsylvania, United States.  These retreats were the Revision Retreat in 2015 and Fundamentals of Writing Biography in 2017.  Each of these retreats ranged from $600-$2000 and each time I applied for scholarships to reduce my expenses.  Also see number 5.

4. Join writing associations and communities.
     In every MFA program, you have access to your classmates and professors either through online discussions, face-to-face, or a combination of both formats.  You can get the same experience by getting involved with your local writing community and organizations.  Currently, I have memberships in the following writing organizations-- The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC), Canadian Society for Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers (CANSCAIP), Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and the Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC).  These memberships range from $80-$200 Canadian in annual fees.  The added benefits are that you qualify for exclusive information, you are represented as a professional on key issues in the publishing industry, receive newsletter and e-bulletins with important information, qualify for certain grants and funding such as Writers in the Schools, and access privileges.

​     Finding community is essential as a writer.  Whether it is on a Facebook group, an online discussion group, or a face-to-face critique group, you need to find community to get feedback on your work and to stay connected.  I have an online critique group, plus I joined two great ones like 12 x 12 and others.  These are your MFA classmates.  I also started my own called Sankofa's Pen (formerly African-Canadian Writers for Children and Young Adults).  Join as many as your time will allow.  

5.  Attend conferences and workshops.
     Often going to conferences, courses, and workshops gives you opportunities to meet other writers and publishing professionals (e.g., editors, agents, publishers) in your area but also those from other regions.  You can find out about marketing and trends, improve your skills, develop your craft, learn new genres, network, and find out about publishing opportunities.  I met all of my publishers and editors through workshops and conferences or have been recommended through these events.  Often these events will have more specific sessions to meet your needs in such areas as theatrical adaptations, finding an agent, legal issues, dialogue, character development, "breaking in", middle grade, and historical fiction.  I have attended the SCBWI International Conference in New York City (2015 and 2016) and regional ones in Ottawa (2016), and Montreal (2015).  I attended the 21st Children's Non-Fiction Conference (CNFC) and Kweli: The Color of Children's Literature Conference both held in New York City in 2016.  I attended the Voices of Our Nation (VONA) writing workshop in travel writing in 2016 in Miami, Florida.  For example, I have also attended the Canadian Writers' Summit (CWS) in Toronto and the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) in Brampton, both held in Ontario, Canada in 2016.

     The contacts that you make at all of these events is invaluable.  These conferences and workshops range in cost from $99 to $900 US dollars in tuition.  Sometimes, scholarship and stipend options exist through the organization that is hosting and in Canada, they may qualify for particular arts grants to which you can apply.  They do not include room, board, or travel costs.  If one is a presenter or writing an article about the conference (as I did for the Canadian Writers' Summit), the cost to attend may be waived, reduced, or offered as part of one's payment.

     Sometimes, you can find workshops offered through webinars like those offered through CANSCAIP and SCBWI.

     CANSCAIP, the Toronto Public Library (TPL), and other organizations also offer free writing workshops.

     The workshops range in price from free to $60 Canadian.

Why do I no longer think I need an MFA?
     Two things changed for me (this week).  First, I realized then more than ever that I am a full-time writer and a full-time teacher.  Secondly, I have been creating my own MFA program for all of the additional writing courses that I take.

      This was my week.  On Monday, I taught (I am a full-time teacher during the day) and during my breaks, I check my e-mails. I received twenty-two writing related e-mails.  An all-time high.  This does not include the several I received for my teaching job.  That morning before work, I had just submitted a magazine article.   I worked late to prepare my supply teacher's plans as I took the next day off to do two library presentations on Tuesday and meet a publisher.  Then I headed to my night class in Writing Science fiction.  On Wednesday and Thursday, I was back to teaching and in the evening I responded to e-mails, worked on grant and contest applications, and reviewed an article that I had received back from an editor for another deadline.  On Thursday evening, I attended my playwriting class in the evening.  And yesterday, I had a day professional development (PD) day for teaching which means that there was no school.  I had registered to attend workshops which was my intention and an option for me but then found myself responding to many of the e-mails that I could not get to in the week, as well as completing three writing prize applications and one for a grant which also needed to be hand-delivered.  I went to visit my friend and while I was there I worked a little bit on another assignment and opened another grant application.  When I got home that night, I began writing this blog post and woke this morning to finish.  I will meet with more friends on Saturday.  Later on today, I will be having a meeting related to my writing and then I will continue complete the writing assignments for my classes, writing contests, my bimonthly newsletter, and plans for an event next week.  

    So my better judgement told me two things.  I need more downtime to get my personal stuff done (hair, exercise, rest, etc.) and secondly, I am already doing my MFA.

Reasons why I don't need an MFA

1. I know something about learning, teaching, and program planning.
     I have been teaching students for a living and have done so for the last 15 years.  Before this, as a teen and young adult, I tutored, volunteered in schools, taught piano, worked at summer camps as a camp counsellor, and led workshops at an interactive science museum. 

     While attending York University for one year, I  briefly considered completing a minor in Creative Writing if it was available but I did not think it necessary as I was on a different career track.  Of all of the courses I took, I eventually completed a degree in honour's undergraduate psychology (BA, Hon) at the University of Waterloo.  My plan, at that time, was considering possible careers in counselling, health, education, and even starting a Christian youth magazine.

    In addition, I have Bachelor (BEd) and Master of Education (MEd) degrees and I am almost done my diploma in Early Childhood Music Education (ECME).  Being a teacher means that I am a strong communicator, patient, resourceful, and researcher.  As a an educator, I possess the knowledge and skills that transfer over into planning my own course of study in writing.

2. I have been getting my 10, 000 hours in.
     Writer and researcher Malcolm Gladwell says that in order for a person to become an expert, they will have had to acquire 10, 000 hours of work in a particular field.

      I have been writing throughoutmy whole life and started making books at the age of 6.  I have written articles for my high school, university, and community newsletters.  I have maintained a journal since the age of 9.  In addition to the school assignments that I received, I would enter contests and write out of pleasure.  Some of these books that survived.  When I read my work in comparison to  the 4 to 18 year olds I have taught, I see now that my teachers were right.  I possessed a gift-- a clarity of voice, creativity in my stories.  I even won the English award (and art) at my eighth grade graduation.  The signs for a life of writing were there all along.  Unfortunately, it took me several years to really acknowledge and recognize my gift.  

3. I have been published.
     My first item published was a letter to the editor of a now defunct Black Canadian magazine called Ember when I was thirteen years old.  I have been an editor for a national thyroid cancer and college newsletters.  I have completed an internship at Psychology Today magazine in New York City in 1998.   I have since written for highschool, university, and community publications.  I have had published articles on blogs as well as in literary magazines.

     I am the author of four traditionally-published books (Malaika's Costume, Malaika's Winter Carnival, Music, Media) with a fifth (an early reader on Harriet Tubman) on the way.  I am currently trying to sell my sixth and seventh books while writing my eighth.  

     An MFA does not guarantee that one becomes traditionally published.  I have been able to do this on my own and without an agent so far.  Although, I am currently looking for an agent.

4. Canada has only four MFA programs in Creative Writing which includes the MFA in Creative Non-Fiction. 
     Currently, Canada has 4 MFA programs in Creative Writing:

• University of Victoria (UVic) in Victoria, BC
• University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, BC
• University of Guelph (UGuelph) at the Humber College north campus in Toronto, ON
• Dalhousie University (Dal.) in Halifax, NS (only for creative non-fiction)

     Only one of these programs, the MFA at UBC, offers a low- or non-residency option (means that students have the option of attending) otherwise I am having to quit or take a leave from my full-time job and moving thousands of kilometres across the country to attend all except UGuelph (which happens to be close to home).  Financially, this is not an option for me at this time.  The average writer in Canada earns $12, 000 which is not a liveable income and funding options for students in these programs increases do exist but do not cover the entire tuition and/or living expenses.

     Perhaps one reason why there are so few MFA programs, it is actually rare to meet a Canadian writer with such a degree which means that most writers in this country are published without one.

     Going south to the United States is an option as there are several MFA programs as well as those with low-residency options which would mean not having to move but there would be travel, room, and board costs too.  I did apply to one of these programs back in 2013 but did not get in at that time.  In the US, an MFA is almost a necessity in order to teach as well as often a precursor to publication.

5. It is quite expensive.
      Let's face it.  MFA programs are quite expensive.  In Canada, they are cheaper (tuition tends to be under $20, 000 Canadian) however, the income loss from studying full-time is a challenge. The low-residency options in the US are available but the tuition costs are high (over $20, 000 US dollars). 

     I am also still paying off my student loans from my other three degrees.  It would not make practical sense at this time to then begin another degree.  An MFA degree does not ensure publication and even if it did, it would not indicate that you have the next bestseller which would equal a large payout.  Basically what I am saying, as a writer in Canada, you may not earn back what you shell out in an MFA.  Until this happens, or I come upon a large sum of cash or the costs come down, for now, I will continue to create my own DIY MFA.

     My journey is not for everyone.  But, I hope that I have provided you a living example of an alternate route of how to become a writer without an MFA.  Also having spoken to many MFA-degreed writing colleagues, I have learned that the additional courses, workshops, retreats, networking, and conferences are things that they also do regardless of possessing an MFA or not.  I know that this circuitous path will not work for everyone and it is not for everyone but it works for me.  Completing a DIY MFA requires a certain creativity, resourcefulness, tenacity, passion, innovation, and drive which are all qualities that I have been cultivating for years.  Regardless, I have not completely ruled out the possibility of completing an MFA program in my life.  I would do it in a heartbeat but in the meantime, this DIY MFA program works for me.

​     I got this!