What a year 2016 has been! I want to celebrate it from top to bottom. I even jumped on the #bestofnine #2016bestnine #bestofnine2016 and #bestof2016 for on Instagram with this Malaika's Costume collage. (I cheated by squeezing a few extra moments.) Join me as I look at the best of my year!
Where it all began...
In the beginning, I wrote Malaika's Costume for a course in 2010. I waited 3 years to submit it to a contest which it lost but then sent it to editor Sheila Barry. It needed work but she like it. By 2014, I had my publishing contract and my first book award for this story (from the contest I lost the year before, of course). I finally got to hold this book in my hands in 2016.
In the beginning, I wrote Malaika's Costume for a course in 2010. I waited 3 years to submit it to a contest which it lost but then sent it to editor Sheila Barry. It needed work but she like it. By 2014, I had my publishing contract and my first book award for this story (from the contest I lost the year before, of course). I finally got to hold this book in my hands in 2016.
Sankofa series... my very first books
Before Malaika's Costume, I became the first-time published author of two books Music and Media in the Sankofa series. (It was a close race though. In December 2013, I received offers by my two publishers-- Rubicon Publishing and Groundwood Books-- within a week of each other. The stars weren't aligned but I did get shat on by birds on two separate occasions around that time. Hmmm.... weird.) Although they were actually published in 2015, the award-winning Sankofa series was finally launched in February 2016 at Reading for the Love of It in Toronto. Super exciting!
Before Malaika's Costume, I became the first-time published author of two books Music and Media in the Sankofa series. (It was a close race though. In December 2013, I received offers by my two publishers-- Rubicon Publishing and Groundwood Books-- within a week of each other. The stars weren't aligned but I did get shat on by birds on two separate occasions around that time. Hmmm.... weird.) Although they were actually published in 2015, the award-winning Sankofa series was finally launched in February 2016 at Reading for the Love of It in Toronto. Super exciting!
My Very First Booktrailer
In my high school years, I considered going into filmmaking and even made my first music video and a short documentary... on video. Since then, I have founded, organized, planned, volunteered, and worked with film festivals yet, I realized that the actual nitty-gritty of making a film is messy and a lot of work. Nothing helped me to realize this more than making the Malaika's Costume book trailer featured here. It took me about 6 hours and several more to upload. At least, I now know how to do it. Stay tuned for more!
In my high school years, I considered going into filmmaking and even made my first music video and a short documentary... on video. Since then, I have founded, organized, planned, volunteered, and worked with film festivals yet, I realized that the actual nitty-gritty of making a film is messy and a lot of work. Nothing helped me to realize this more than making the Malaika's Costume book trailer featured here. It took me about 6 hours and several more to upload. At least, I now know how to do it. Stay tuned for more!
Malaika's Carnival Book Bash
On March 5, 2016, I held the largest Carnival book launch with my family, friends, illustrator, writing colleagues, publisher, and supporters at A Different Booklist bookstore in Toronto. We had a blast! There were 50+ people crammed into this store, the same place where I met my publisher Sheila Barry in 2011. We feted to calypso with doubles, phoulourie, Jamaican vegan beef patties, and punch. It was also important for me glad to celebrate this moment at ADB before the demolition of this space in 2017. ADB is relocating to a new space... across the street.
On March 5, 2016, I held the largest Carnival book launch with my family, friends, illustrator, writing colleagues, publisher, and supporters at A Different Booklist bookstore in Toronto. We had a blast! There were 50+ people crammed into this store, the same place where I met my publisher Sheila Barry in 2011. We feted to calypso with doubles, phoulourie, Jamaican vegan beef patties, and punch. It was also important for me glad to celebrate this moment at ADB before the demolition of this space in 2017. ADB is relocating to a new space... across the street.
Why stop at one book launch?
It was really important for me to give back to the community that raised me and the library that nurtured my love of books. I had a second launch at the Albion library in Rexdale, a predominantly working-class and immigrant community in Toronto. My illustrator Irene Luxbacher and I had a wonderful time with the kids there. My dedication in Malaika's Costume is written to my students at the Africentric School. I was so blessed to have many of these students perform at my launch as part of the Ubuntu Drum & Dance Group.
It was really important for me to give back to the community that raised me and the library that nurtured my love of books. I had a second launch at the Albion library in Rexdale, a predominantly working-class and immigrant community in Toronto. My illustrator Irene Luxbacher and I had a wonderful time with the kids there. My dedication in Malaika's Costume is written to my students at the Africentric School. I was so blessed to have many of these students perform at my launch as part of the Ubuntu Drum & Dance Group.
Then there were more... over 25 in all
I had organized or was invited to speak at book-related events last year ranging from book launches in various cities to signings to meet-and-greets to school or summer school presentations and library visits and literary festivals. There were a few times I had to say "no" because the dates or locations wouldn't work or I was not in the country. It's truly a labour of love. Call me crazy or a shameless self-promoter, a hustler or all of the above but I had events in 9 separate cities both in Canada (numerous Toronto, Brampton, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal), and the United States (New York City, Boston, Detroit, Atlanta). Any city I visited, I signed books that were there as I did in Miami and New Orleans.
I had organized or was invited to speak at book-related events last year ranging from book launches in various cities to signings to meet-and-greets to school or summer school presentations and library visits and literary festivals. There were a few times I had to say "no" because the dates or locations wouldn't work or I was not in the country. It's truly a labour of love. Call me crazy or a shameless self-promoter, a hustler or all of the above but I had events in 9 separate cities both in Canada (numerous Toronto, Brampton, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal), and the United States (New York City, Boston, Detroit, Atlanta). Any city I visited, I signed books that were there as I did in Miami and New Orleans.
Bookmarkers: a book series for young kids and their parents presented with the Koffler program in April 2017
Malaika's Carnival Brampton Book Bash at Knowledge Bookstore in April 2016
Malaika's Carnival New York City Book Bash in May 2016
Most of my relatives live in the United States so when several came out to the NYC launch... they came out en masse. This was a magic moment for me. For my family to see me doing what I love doing and showing me such love and support, this was such a huge affirmation. And for it all to take place at Bank Street Bookstore, one of the most important children's bookstores in the nation? (I then had a meet and greet at Grandma's Place toy and bookstore in Harlem.) Thank you, thank you, thank you! Plus, I made a new peacock friend. Thanks to a Toronto girl named Malaika and her mother, I've named him Malik!
Most of my relatives live in the United States so when several came out to the NYC launch... they came out en masse. This was a magic moment for me. For my family to see me doing what I love doing and showing me such love and support, this was such a huge affirmation. And for it all to take place at Bank Street Bookstore, one of the most important children's bookstores in the nation? (I then had a meet and greet at Grandma's Place toy and bookstore in Harlem.) Thank you, thank you, thank you! Plus, I made a new peacock friend. Thanks to a Toronto girl named Malaika and her mother, I've named him Malik!
What a time! So many amazing little ones. And yes, that is my family at Little Shop of Stories in Atlanta (Decatur), Georgia.
Malaika's Carnival Book Bash comes to Parkdale Library in Toronto, July 2016
Yes, that's Ms. Janelle Monae and yes, I gifted her a copy Malaika's Costume. I hope she is as inspired because Janelle's work has inspired me so greatly. You can read about this meeting here. And although I came very close (very, very close to gifting a copy to Oprah since I spoke with her best friend Gayle King), I did a gift a copy to director Ava Duvernay. All women who are amazingly at the top of their games.
And now Abu Dhabi
Presenting Malaika's Costume to children in Abu Dhabi is like anywhere else... the kids love stories. I am so thankful to organizations like Wanna Read for doing the work that they do. I look forward to presenting my book to children at the Emirates Air Festival of Literature (EAFOL) in Dubai this March 2017. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is becoming my literary home away from literary home... although, of course, there is still no place like home. You can now purchase your copy of the book at Magrudy bookstores through the UAE.
Presenting Malaika's Costume to children in Abu Dhabi is like anywhere else... the kids love stories. I am so thankful to organizations like Wanna Read for doing the work that they do. I look forward to presenting my book to children at the Emirates Air Festival of Literature (EAFOL) in Dubai this March 2017. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is becoming my literary home away from literary home... although, of course, there is still no place like home. You can now purchase your copy of the book at Magrudy bookstores through the UAE.
The Media Coverage
In the beginning, I must admit, the media coverage seemed a little slow but I take that all back now. For this, I am so grateful. Take a look at the media page on this website here.
In the beginning, I must admit, the media coverage seemed a little slow but I take that all back now. For this, I am so grateful. Take a look at the media page on this website here.
There were some awards... Click here.
And some recognitions too... (of exceptional calibre)
Of course no year wouldn't be complete without being in my own Carnival costume. (Toronto's Caribbean Carnival, that is.)
So this brings me to 2017 which is off to an amazing start. Le Costume de Malaika, the French translation of Malaika's Costume, was published on January 1, 2017. Malaika's Winter Carnival is the sequel which will be in stores on September 1, 2017. Stay tuned for the new cover reveal on February 1, 2017. Also 28 Days Later: A Black History Month celebration of children's literature, I will be on February 4th, 2017.
NOTE TO MY REGULAR BLOG READERS: Thank you so much for your patience. It has been two whole months since I last posted and I feel a little embarrassed that it has taken this long. Aside from my regular Facebook and Instagram posts, and my Tweets (that are posted in a constant feed to this website in real time), I must admit that blogging and my newsletter have fallen on the back burner. This is not my intention. Moving to Abu Dhabi and adjusting to a new life overseas has "been a trip" both literally and figuratively. A new year is a perfect opportunity to rededicate myself to this task, refocus my time, and move forward. Looking at my 2017 vision board behind me, I have decided to add weekly blogposts and monthly newsletters to the list. I look forward to hearing from you and to learning more about you and sharing this journey of mine called writing. Here's to 2017!
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