In this issue...
Letter from the editor
What a year it has been! It has been exactly one year since my last Nadia’s Notables Newsletter in Winter 2020. So much has happened and continues to happen at this current time. Though it has been quite some time, I am pleased to say that I am healthy, well, and continue to be blessed. My attention had shifted away from my regular promotional cycle and tuned into supporting family, introspection, reflection, and creating communities. I am more affirmed now than ever that I chose the right direction. Writing has been a lifeline, income, and a necessary part of my everyday. I found new ways to use my words to heal and encourage. I have dreamt up projects and ideas. I have written a few new stories and pitched others. I continue on an agent search. And perhaps one of the most exciting is to fulfill a dream that I almost threw away— complete a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Creative Writing at the University of Guelph. Some dreams are worth keeping. I pray that you and your families are safe and you are encouraged in this season.
Nadia L. Hohn
20, 10, and This Year’s Milestones
20 years ago, I started and ran a nationally touring film festival featuring #BlackCanadian films called #ICEDINBLACK : #Canadian #Black Experiences on Film
10 years ago, after my surgery from #thyroidcancer, before my #radiation, I began attending Canscaip meetings, became a #vegan, and started a blog about my #healing and #plantbased journey. This was the first time that I made the serious decision to write professionally. I applied to 2 #MFA in #CreativeWriting programs but did not get in.
This week, I signed the contract for my eighth book and am awaiting my ninth book contract from a different publisher. I am enrolled in an MFA program and teaching writing for children courses. I present to schools, libraries, conferences, and festivals globally. And, this year also marks my ten years of being cancer free.
I made my screenwriting debut with a short video about Canadian jazz great OscarPeterson.
- 20, 10, and this Year Milestones
- Teaching Writing
- Malaika’s Surprise!
- Crossword Feature
- Heritage Minute
- Freelance Articles
- Virtual presentations
- New book contract
Letter from the editor
What a year it has been! It has been exactly one year since my last Nadia’s Notables Newsletter in Winter 2020. So much has happened and continues to happen at this current time. Though it has been quite some time, I am pleased to say that I am healthy, well, and continue to be blessed. My attention had shifted away from my regular promotional cycle and tuned into supporting family, introspection, reflection, and creating communities. I am more affirmed now than ever that I chose the right direction. Writing has been a lifeline, income, and a necessary part of my everyday. I found new ways to use my words to heal and encourage. I have dreamt up projects and ideas. I have written a few new stories and pitched others. I continue on an agent search. And perhaps one of the most exciting is to fulfill a dream that I almost threw away— complete a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Creative Writing at the University of Guelph. Some dreams are worth keeping. I pray that you and your families are safe and you are encouraged in this season.
Nadia L. Hohn
20, 10, and This Year’s Milestones
20 years ago, I started and ran a nationally touring film festival featuring #BlackCanadian films called #ICEDINBLACK : #Canadian #Black Experiences on Film
10 years ago, after my surgery from #thyroidcancer, before my #radiation, I began attending Canscaip meetings, became a #vegan, and started a blog about my #healing and #plantbased journey. This was the first time that I made the serious decision to write professionally. I applied to 2 #MFA in #CreativeWriting programs but did not get in.
This week, I signed the contract for my eighth book and am awaiting my ninth book contract from a different publisher. I am enrolled in an MFA program and teaching writing for children courses. I present to schools, libraries, conferences, and festivals globally. And, this year also marks my ten years of being cancer free.
I made my screenwriting debut with a short video about Canadian jazz great OscarPeterson.
On February 17, I made my screenwriting debut with "Oscar Peterson and Montreal's Little Burgundy" a short video about Canadian jazz great Oscar Peterson to accompany the Heritage Minute both produced by Historica Canada. I had the pleasure of meeting Peterson once, almost meeting another time, showing his documentary at ICED IN BLACK (a nationally touring film festival I started featuring films by and about Black Canadians 2001-2003), and writing about for my first book Music in the Sankofa series. Like Oscar, I began studying Classical piano at a young age but eventually added jazz saxophone in high school. The pianist portraying Oscar Peterson is Thomson Egbo Egbo, a former student. And still, there are more connections with Oscar Peterson's legacy. The video was produced by Historica Canada which has made the iconic Canadian Heritage Minutes.
The fact that Historica Canada reached out to me was so serendipitous. The Historica Canada staff could not have known about all of my connections to Oscar Peterson and I am so thankful that they trusted me with this important work. Please check out the video and let me know what you think.
Here is the link for the English version: https://lnkd.in/e4kN6Nu
Voici le lien de la version francaise: https://lnkd.in/eha5i3b
Teaching Writing
As many of you know, I have been an elementary school teacher for almost 20 years. I am blessed with an opportunity to parlay these skills into the teaching of writing for children. My first class was supposed to be in person at the University of Toronto School for Continuing Studies in spring 2020. However, due to the pandemic as you know, the classes were offered online. Very quickly I had to adjust to being a creative writing teacher as well as online delivery. I am pleased to say that I am currently teaching my third session of 1717 Writing for Children at the University of Toronto. In addition, I am teaching CHLD 723 Children’s Books course as part of the Children’s Media program at Centennial College this term. I will also be teaching Writing for Children course at the University of Guelph Open University this spring.
Malaika’s Surprise
On March 1, 2021, my seventh book and third in the Malaika series, Malaika’s Surprise will be released. A lot went into the writing of this picture book. I am so very pleased about this recent work as I dive into Malaika, her family, and her community. So far, the reviews have been positive and I am glad to share this with the world. I wish to thank Irene Luxbacher for her amazing illustrations, my publisher Groundwood Books for greenlighting the manuscript, my critique group (Mary, Kathy, Laura), and my beta and sensitivity readers/advisors (Sajidah, Fartumo, Rabia, and Rahma).
The fact that Historica Canada reached out to me was so serendipitous. The Historica Canada staff could not have known about all of my connections to Oscar Peterson and I am so thankful that they trusted me with this important work. Please check out the video and let me know what you think.
Here is the link for the English version: https://lnkd.in/e4kN6Nu
Voici le lien de la version francaise: https://lnkd.in/eha5i3b
Teaching Writing
As many of you know, I have been an elementary school teacher for almost 20 years. I am blessed with an opportunity to parlay these skills into the teaching of writing for children. My first class was supposed to be in person at the University of Toronto School for Continuing Studies in spring 2020. However, due to the pandemic as you know, the classes were offered online. Very quickly I had to adjust to being a creative writing teacher as well as online delivery. I am pleased to say that I am currently teaching my third session of 1717 Writing for Children at the University of Toronto. In addition, I am teaching CHLD 723 Children’s Books course as part of the Children’s Media program at Centennial College this term. I will also be teaching Writing for Children course at the University of Guelph Open University this spring.
Malaika’s Surprise
On March 1, 2021, my seventh book and third in the Malaika series, Malaika’s Surprise will be released. A lot went into the writing of this picture book. I am so very pleased about this recent work as I dive into Malaika, her family, and her community. So far, the reviews have been positive and I am glad to share this with the world. I wish to thank Irene Luxbacher for her amazing illustrations, my publisher Groundwood Books for greenlighting the manuscript, my critique group (Mary, Kathy, Laura), and my beta and sensitivity readers/advisors (Sajidah, Fartumo, Rabia, and Rahma).
Crossword Feature
Someone once said that if your name is in a crossword puzzle, you've “made it”. Well, I think I'm on my way. I attempted the crossword puzzle with my name and the title of my book Malaika’s Winter Carnival which is coincidentally at the number I will turn in age this year (#44 Across). I love #crosswords but I have always refused to Google the answers. This is where you come in. Do you know the missing answers? Thank you Kelly Ann Buchanan and The Toronto Star Sunday Star for the acknowledgement. I've got two more blank crossword puzzles in newspapers copies I bought at my local cornerstone which I will frame. Thanks editor Jessica Rose (who edited my Music and Media books) for first spotting it in The Hamilton Spectator on February 13, 2021.
Someone once said that if your name is in a crossword puzzle, you've “made it”. Well, I think I'm on my way. I attempted the crossword puzzle with my name and the title of my book Malaika’s Winter Carnival which is coincidentally at the number I will turn in age this year (#44 Across). I love #crosswords but I have always refused to Google the answers. This is where you come in. Do you know the missing answers? Thank you Kelly Ann Buchanan and The Toronto Star Sunday Star for the acknowledgement. I've got two more blank crossword puzzles in newspapers copies I bought at my local cornerstone which I will frame. Thanks editor Jessica Rose (who edited my Music and Media books) for first spotting it in The Hamilton Spectator on February 13, 2021.
Freelance Articles
I am thankful for the opportunities to write in recent publications:
I am thankful for the opportunities to write in recent publications:
- “I Now Write Our Stories, But Who Else?” in the Winter 2021 Canadian Children’s Booknews magazine
- “Going Up on the Rough Side of Black Canadian Kidlit” in the Winter 2021 Write! Magazine (The Writers’ Union of Canada)
- Upcoming article… University of Waterloo magazine
Virtual Presentations
I am pleased to announce that I am booking 2021 virtual presentations. It has been a busy last two months. My presentations have included:
New book contract
In February 2021, I signed my eighth book contract. I am excited about my new project which is an anthology of sorts. Stay tuned!
Upcoming in Spring 2021 Nadia’s Notables Newsletter…
I am pleased to announce that I am booking 2021 virtual presentations. It has been a busy last two months. My presentations have included:
- Public libraries (including Toronto, Ajax, Milton, North Vancouver)
- Schools (including Toronto, Niagara, and Peel District, Alberta)
- Hospital for Sick Kids
New book contract
In February 2021, I signed my eighth book contract. I am excited about my new project which is an anthology of sorts. Stay tuned!
Upcoming in Spring 2021 Nadia’s Notables Newsletter…
- Upcoming books
- Agent update
- MFA first year highlights
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