In this issue…
Letter from the editor
Greetings readers,
May rolled in on the tail end of the Children’s Books course I taught at Centennial College. On May 2, I had a lovely release day of Malaika, Carnival Queen which I had the opportunity to present this book during Education Week/Canadian Children’s Book, May 1-5 in my very own school. I have an incredibly supportive administrative team and librarian who helped make this happen. That week was an amazing chance for me to test out my story and get comfortable in the telling.
This month has been a series of events and more to come— all part of the Malaika Carnival Queen Book Tour. Please check out the dates and stops. As busy as I am, I think a lot about writing and making more time for my stories. I’ve also begun sharing about my own personal journeys on my social media. The response has been positive. I hope to do this more often. My abilities and skills continue to evolve as an author and creative entrepreneur as I learn about balance. Thanks for being part of my journey.
Best wishes,
Nadia L. Hohn
- Book Launch Highlights
- Malaika, Carnival Queen Book Tour (Part 1)
- ByBlacks articles
- TikTok and YouTube Channel
Letter from the editor
Greetings readers,
May rolled in on the tail end of the Children’s Books course I taught at Centennial College. On May 2, I had a lovely release day of Malaika, Carnival Queen which I had the opportunity to present this book during Education Week/Canadian Children’s Book, May 1-5 in my very own school. I have an incredibly supportive administrative team and librarian who helped make this happen. That week was an amazing chance for me to test out my story and get comfortable in the telling.
This month has been a series of events and more to come— all part of the Malaika Carnival Queen Book Tour. Please check out the dates and stops. As busy as I am, I think a lot about writing and making more time for my stories. I’ve also begun sharing about my own personal journeys on my social media. The response has been positive. I hope to do this more often. My abilities and skills continue to evolve as an author and creative entrepreneur as I learn about balance. Thanks for being part of my journey.
Best wishes,
Nadia L. Hohn
Book Launch Highlights
The MALAIKA, CARNIVAL QUEEN book launch on May 6 was simply magical.
Even though this is my eighth book, it doesn’t make this book launch less special than others.
This was the first in-person book event that I organized since 2019 and in spite of a location change and traffic delays which altered some decors plans, the event went smoothly but, way too quickly.
There were so many beautiful moments. I think my favourites were having my friends, family, past and present coworkers, former teacher, and writing community present to witness what illustrator Irene and I have been working on in the privacy of our own homes and heads. We both had deep connections to this book. I am so lucky to work with such a talented illustrator.
I also loved the opportunity to pour out this personal story through my reading. This was magic for me.
Lastly, the question and answer was so well-done. Author Kern Carter did his homework and delivered a thoughtful, well-prepared, and thorough Q&A.
I also had the opportunity to meet my literary agent, Hilary McMahon, in-person for the first time.
Everything came together smoothly. I particularly wish to thank Joseph, Sadé, and the Groundwood Books team for help with the setup.
I also wish to thank especially everyone who attended my book launch and sent me many of these wonderful photos.
Check out the rest of the Malaika, Carnival Queen tour dates, the book giveaway contest, and the YouTube & Spotify playlists. See links here: linktr.ee/nadialhohn
To watch the highlight reel video, click here: https://youtu.be/Z5xTwl33Kv8
Stay tuned for a detailed recap in a blog post.
Photos by: @andreapcurtis @bellamazon @jayoh83 @stc_smith @kirstenashleyb0 @rizntree @sahargolshanwriting
One of my coworkers, my dad, and me
Video editing: Me
Even though this is my eighth book, it doesn’t make this book launch less special than others.
This was the first in-person book event that I organized since 2019 and in spite of a location change and traffic delays which altered some decors plans, the event went smoothly but, way too quickly.
There were so many beautiful moments. I think my favourites were having my friends, family, past and present coworkers, former teacher, and writing community present to witness what illustrator Irene and I have been working on in the privacy of our own homes and heads. We both had deep connections to this book. I am so lucky to work with such a talented illustrator.
I also loved the opportunity to pour out this personal story through my reading. This was magic for me.
Lastly, the question and answer was so well-done. Author Kern Carter did his homework and delivered a thoughtful, well-prepared, and thorough Q&A.
I also had the opportunity to meet my literary agent, Hilary McMahon, in-person for the first time.
Everything came together smoothly. I particularly wish to thank Joseph, Sadé, and the Groundwood Books team for help with the setup.
I also wish to thank especially everyone who attended my book launch and sent me many of these wonderful photos.
Check out the rest of the Malaika, Carnival Queen tour dates, the book giveaway contest, and the YouTube & Spotify playlists. See links here: linktr.ee/nadialhohn
To watch the highlight reel video, click here: https://youtu.be/Z5xTwl33Kv8
Stay tuned for a detailed recap in a blog post.
Photos by: @andreapcurtis @bellamazon @jayoh83 @stc_smith @kirstenashleyb0 @rizntree @sahargolshanwriting
One of my coworkers, my dad, and me
Video editing: Me
Malaika, Carnival Queen Book Tour (Part 1)
Flyer Design by Nadia L. Hohn
A Malaika, Carnival Queen tour is in the works. These dates have been scheduled so far. Please check my Instagram @nadialhohn_author each Monday for updates.
* * *
Check out the Malaika, Carnival Queen Playlist is more of a Soundsacape, at four hours and over 60 songs, on Spotify. To find out the songs and how I was able to write this, blog for the playlist, link, and to find out my process for selecting songs, please visit https://www.nadialhohn.com/blog/malaika-carnival-queen-contest-time-and-thank-you. Each day on my Intagram @nadialhohn_author and Twitter @nadialhohn, I will share 3 songs and the stories behind them.
* * *
THANK YOU FOR 2, 980+ FOLLOWERS and MALAIKA, CARNIVAL QUEEN comes out in May! To celebrate 🎉 these milestones, you know what that means— BOOK GIVEAWAY CONTEST! With 3 chances to win! This is what I'm giving away: 2 copies of #MalaikaCarnivalQueen 1 Book Prize Package which includes all 4 books in the #Malaikaseries-- #MalaikasCostume #MalaikasWinterCarnival #MalaikasSurprise #MalaikaCarnivalQueen To find out how to win, see the link in my bio for information or visit my blog www.nadialhohn.com/blog/malaika-carnival-queen-contest-time-and-thank-you
A Malaika, Carnival Queen tour is in the works. These dates have been scheduled so far. Please check my Instagram @nadialhohn_author each Monday for updates.
* * *
Check out the Malaika, Carnival Queen Playlist is more of a Soundsacape, at four hours and over 60 songs, on Spotify. To find out the songs and how I was able to write this, blog for the playlist, link, and to find out my process for selecting songs, please visit https://www.nadialhohn.com/blog/malaika-carnival-queen-contest-time-and-thank-you. Each day on my Intagram @nadialhohn_author and Twitter @nadialhohn, I will share 3 songs and the stories behind them.
* * *
THANK YOU FOR 2, 980+ FOLLOWERS and MALAIKA, CARNIVAL QUEEN comes out in May! To celebrate 🎉 these milestones, you know what that means— BOOK GIVEAWAY CONTEST! With 3 chances to win! This is what I'm giving away: 2 copies of #MalaikaCarnivalQueen 1 Book Prize Package which includes all 4 books in the #Malaikaseries-- #MalaikasCostume #MalaikasWinterCarnival #MalaikasSurprise #MalaikaCarnivalQueen To find out how to win, see the link in my bio for information or visit my blog www.nadialhohn.com/blog/malaika-carnival-queen-contest-time-and-thank-you
TikTok and YouTube Channe
My YouTube Channel contains new content. Please check it out: https://youtube.com/@nadialhohnauthor
I now have a TikTok. Please check it out: @nadialhohn_author
I now have a TikTok. Please check it out: @nadialhohn_author
Upcoming Events
Articles and Podcasts
“How To Create An Inclusive Literary Festival,” ByBlacks April 2023
“16 Reasons Poetry Is Essential For Black Canadians,” ByBlacks April 2023
“Part 2: Should I Self Publish My Book Or Get An Agent? Advice From Six Black Canadian Authors Who Have Done Both,” ByBlacks March 2023
“Should I Self Publish My Book Or Get An Agent? Advice From Six Black Canadian Authors Who Have Done Both,” ByBlacks March 2023
“Ainara’s Bookshelf is Diversifying What We Read One Book at a Time”, ByBlacks February 2023
Interview on the January 10, 2023 Soul Perspectives, CKUT (McGill University radio).
“Meet Dr. Suzette Mayr: The 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize Winner”, ByBlacks January 2023
“Celebrate Black Canadian Authors This Holiday Season with These 36 Books”, ByBlacks December 2022
“If You Love Black Panther, Then You’ll Love These Books”, ByBlacks November 2022
“The Hairy Truth” and “A Deeper Meaning”, Owl Magazine, November 2022
“Three Black Organizations Working to Get Us Reading,” ByBlacks, October 2022
“Top 10 Summer Reads for Black Canadian Kids,” ByBlacks,
August 2022
Travelling Across Canada’s Underground Railroad, Owl magazine (January/February 2022)
“Kojo’s Holiday”, Chickadee magazine (December 2021).
“How Harriet’s Daughter Helped Me Find My Way as a Black Canadian and a Writer for Young People”, Arc Poetry magazine (Arc 96 Islands of Influence Caribbean Canadian edition) (Fall 2021).
“Writer with a Capital W”, University of Waterloo podcast
“Writer Finds Resilience Stories Black Women and Girls”, University of Waterloo magazine (Spring 2021).
“16 Reasons Poetry Is Essential For Black Canadians,” ByBlacks April 2023
“Part 2: Should I Self Publish My Book Or Get An Agent? Advice From Six Black Canadian Authors Who Have Done Both,” ByBlacks March 2023
“Should I Self Publish My Book Or Get An Agent? Advice From Six Black Canadian Authors Who Have Done Both,” ByBlacks March 2023
“Ainara’s Bookshelf is Diversifying What We Read One Book at a Time”, ByBlacks February 2023
Interview on the January 10, 2023 Soul Perspectives, CKUT (McGill University radio).
“Meet Dr. Suzette Mayr: The 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize Winner”, ByBlacks January 2023
“Celebrate Black Canadian Authors This Holiday Season with These 36 Books”, ByBlacks December 2022
“If You Love Black Panther, Then You’ll Love These Books”, ByBlacks November 2022
“The Hairy Truth” and “A Deeper Meaning”, Owl Magazine, November 2022
“Three Black Organizations Working to Get Us Reading,” ByBlacks, October 2022
“Top 10 Summer Reads for Black Canadian Kids,” ByBlacks,
August 2022
Travelling Across Canada’s Underground Railroad, Owl magazine (January/February 2022)
“Kojo’s Holiday”, Chickadee magazine (December 2021).
“How Harriet’s Daughter Helped Me Find My Way as a Black Canadian and a Writer for Young People”, Arc Poetry magazine (Arc 96 Islands of Influence Caribbean Canadian edition) (Fall 2021).
“Writer with a Capital W”, University of Waterloo podcast
“Writer Finds Resilience Stories Black Women and Girls”, University of Waterloo magazine (Spring 2021).
Upcoming books
Patty Dreams (Owlkids), Spring 2025.
Journey to Grandma's House (Groundwood Books), Fall 2024.
The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes) (Orca Books), September 2023.
Journey to Grandma's House (Groundwood Books), Fall 2024.
The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes) (Orca Books), September 2023.
Published books
Malaika, Carnival Queen (Groundwood Books), May 2023.
Kwanzaa section in Celebrate with me! Recipes, Crafts, and Holiday Fun from around the world (Magic Cat Publishing/Abrams Kids), 2022
Contributor to 100+ Voices for Miss Lou: Poetry, Tributes, Interviews, Essays anthology (UWI Press), 2021.
Louise Go A Country in 100+ Voices of Miss Lou: Poetry, Tributes, Interviews, Essays (UWI Press, 2022).
Interview in Contemporary Canadian Picture Books: A Critical Review for Educators, Librarians, Families, Researchers, & Writers by Beverley Brenna, Richard Dionne, and Theresa Tavares (Brill, 2021).
Malaika's Surprise (Groundwood Books), Spring 2021 https://houseofanansi.com/products/malaikas-surprise French version available in 2022 by Éditions Scholastic, Malaika's Surprise Book Trailer
A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett-Coverley Found Her Voice (Owlkids), Aug. 15, 2019
Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter (Harper Collins), 2018
Malaika's Winter Carnival (Groundwood Books), 2017 (available in French and English paperback http://scholastic.ca/editions/livres/view/le-carnaval-de-malaika)
Malaika's Costume (Groundwood Books www.groundwoodbooks.com), 2016 (available in French paperback www.scholastic.ca) 2021 TD Book Giveaway
Music in the Sankofa series (Rubicon Publishing), 2015 www.sankofacollection.com
Media in the Sankofa series (Rubicon Publishing), 2015 www.sankofacollection.com
© Nadia L. Hohn, 2023
Toronto, ON, Canada
Kwanzaa section in Celebrate with me! Recipes, Crafts, and Holiday Fun from around the world (Magic Cat Publishing/Abrams Kids), 2022
Contributor to 100+ Voices for Miss Lou: Poetry, Tributes, Interviews, Essays anthology (UWI Press), 2021.
Louise Go A Country in 100+ Voices of Miss Lou: Poetry, Tributes, Interviews, Essays (UWI Press, 2022).
Interview in Contemporary Canadian Picture Books: A Critical Review for Educators, Librarians, Families, Researchers, & Writers by Beverley Brenna, Richard Dionne, and Theresa Tavares (Brill, 2021).
Malaika's Surprise (Groundwood Books), Spring 2021 https://houseofanansi.com/products/malaikas-surprise French version available in 2022 by Éditions Scholastic, Malaika's Surprise Book Trailer
A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett-Coverley Found Her Voice (Owlkids), Aug. 15, 2019
Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter (Harper Collins), 2018
Malaika's Winter Carnival (Groundwood Books), 2017 (available in French and English paperback http://scholastic.ca/editions/livres/view/le-carnaval-de-malaika)
Malaika's Costume (Groundwood Books www.groundwoodbooks.com), 2016 (available in French paperback www.scholastic.ca) 2021 TD Book Giveaway
Music in the Sankofa series (Rubicon Publishing), 2015 www.sankofacollection.com
Media in the Sankofa series (Rubicon Publishing), 2015 www.sankofacollection.com
© Nadia L. Hohn, 2023
Toronto, ON, Canada
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