It has been a very busy last few months. I have been dealing with some personal challenges in the midst of travelling, hosting, and attending events to promote Malaika's Costume. One way to keep you updated is my newsletter. If you are interested, please e-mail me at [email protected] to be included on the mailing list.
I have enclosed my April/May 2016 Nadia's Notables Newsletter (below) and I am currently on my June/July 2016 Newsletter.
NADIA'S NOTABLES
NEWSLETTER #3
APRIL/MAY 2016
In this issue of Nadia's Notables Newsletter:
1. My Diploma came in the Mail...
2. Malaika's Carnival Book Bash at Albion Library
3. Kweli Conference in New York City
4. Malaika's Brampton Book Bash
5. Koffler Bookmarkers: Breakfast & Books
6. Suddaby School Visit in Kitchener, Ontario
7. SCBWI Art of Story Conference in Ottawa 2016
8. Sankofa's Pen at the FOLD Festival
9. Reviews Galore
10. Where I'll Be Next
11. Writing Tips for Newbies and Oldies
1. My Diploma came in the Mail...
It's official! I am a graduate of the Humber College School of Writers Correspondence Program in 2015. I got to work with middle-grade/young-adult author Richard Scrimger on a middle-grade novel that I began in 2009. Well, at first it was supposed to be a early chapter book, then it became a graphic novel, then evolved from a science-fiction middle grade to a contemporary modern novel. Marcus... is the story of a twelve-year old Jamaican boy in Canada. (There's a little more to the story but I like to keep some mystery.) At this point, I am proud to say that the manuscript is complete but in need of some editing and workshopping which I hope to complete over the next few months. I am giving myself a deadline.
2. Malaika's Carnival Book Bash at Albion Library
Thank you so much to all who came out to Malaika's Carnival Book Bash on Saturday, April 2, 2015 at Albion Library Youth Events, 1515 Albion Road in Toronto (Rexdale), my childhood library branch. It was so nice to see familiar folks and I met some new ones. I presented our book Malaika's Costume in the story pit to an audience of parents, children, and fellow writers. The attendees danced to interactive soca songs, sang "Malaika" in Swahili, made Carnival headpieces with illustrator Irene, coloured Carnival pictures, and watched and listened to the young performers of the Ubuntu Drum and Dance Theatre. Here are some photos highlighting the day.
3. Kweli Conference in New York City
On Saturday, April 9, 2016, the Kweli Journal hosted its 2nd Annual Children's Literature Conference in New York City, NY. What made this one-day conference special was that it focused exclusively on diversity in children's and young adult books. I loved the opportunity to see my diverse writing colleagues and to meet new ones from all across the United States. (Attending writing conferences and events in the US is feeling more and more comfortable as I see more and more familiar faces. :-) Now when I go to American events, it's becoming much more like "family" for me. In terms of Canadians present, there were four of us-- author and diversity in kid lit advocate (based in the United States), poet Carol-Ann Hoyte, pre-published writer Noelle Paredes-Plaza. I even got to meet some of my favourite Black women authors, Nnedi Okorafor and Edwidge Danticat. My only complaint of the conference is only that I wish it was longer. Definitely worth the day trip.
4. Malaika's Brampton Book Bash
Malaika's Costume Brampton Carnival Book Bash took place on April 23 at Knowledge Bookstore, one of only three remaining independent Black-owned bookstores in the Greater Toronto-area. (Owner Sean Liburd and his wife Michele created a gorgeous video trailer here.) The adults and children who came sang and danced. I told Caribbean stories, taught chants, songs, and Caribbean rhymes. Kids learned about the history of Carnival, made peacock headpieces, and even participated in the reading of Malaika's Costume.
5. Koffler Bookmarkers: Breakfast & Books
On April 17, I had a fabulous time doing what I love doing which is sharing Caribbean rhymes and songs and reading my story to young children at Koffler Centre of the Arts Artscape Youngplace this morning Bookmarkers: a books + breakfast series for young kids & their parents in Toronto, Ontario. Children and their parents learned "Mosquito", sang a Jamaican folksong called "Wata Come a Me Yeye", soca danced to "Followed the Leader", and heard about the background story behind my new picture "Malaika's Costume". The children were fun, attentive, and inquisitive. For this presentation, it was nice that I had more time to sit down and chat with the children and their parents. I got to show off and play my musical instruments-- an axase and a recorder. Malaika's Costume illustrator Irene Luxbacher and author/illustrator Danielle F. Daniel engaged kids in double crafts-- puppets and Carnival headpieces. How fun is that? Danielle also read from her new picture book, Sometimes I Feel Like A Fox in a funny and engaging way. Plus, there was a delicious array of cookies which disappeared in no time. (Who could ask for anything more?)
6. Suddaby School Visit in Kitchener, Ontario
In April, I had the blessed opportunity to present my picture book, Malaika's Costume, at my first Canadian school (outside of my own) in Kitchener, Ontario. I presented to all kindergarten classes and to students Grades 1-4. I don't need to say much about this experience that was loads of fun as I am sure you can see in these photos.
7. SCBWI Art of Story Conference in Ottawa 2016,
Steam Punk Party, and Authors for Indies at Kaleidoscope Books
What did I get to do over the course of 3 days in Ottawa, Canada's capital city? A steampunk party, workshops, critique circles, one-on-one feedback, first page pitch, and a chance to hang out with Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) members of the Canada East Chapter and beyond. Throw in some poutine and a stroll through Spark Street and Byward Market and it was all good. Plus, I took part in the Authors for Indies day (in support of independent bookstores) held at the Kaleidoscope Kids Bookstore in Ottawa. I got to hang out with some of my favourite Canadian children's author/illustrators like Ruth Ohi and meet new ones. I even saw a familiar face with editor Grace Kendall, whose workshop I attended at both SCBWI Canada East and Kweli conferences.
8. Sankofa's Pen at the FOLD Festival
In 2014, I started a group called the African-Canadian Writers for Children and Young Adults (ACWCYA) which I later changed the name to Sankofa's Pen. The group meets quarterly and has an active Facebook group which is just shy of 100 members. Sankofa's Pen had its spring meeting recently at the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) May 6-8, the first ever event dedicated to diverse literature in Canada. The event was held in Brampton, Ontario which is 40-minutes from downtown Toronto and one of Canada's most diverse cities. The FOLD attracted over 500 delegates. Great work to fellow Groundwood Books author/FOLD founder and director, Jael Richardson and her team, on a job well done.
9. Reviews Galore
I have been very blessed over the last three months with lots of great print and electronic coverage of Malaika's Costume. There have been reviews, interviews, and honourable mentions in articles. Check out the listings and view some here. It gives me great joy that a story I wrote in patois 6 years ago is connecting with so many people. The story about separation, immigration, Carnival, and the Caribbean has changed my life in many ways. It's been an amazing journey so far.
10. Where I'll Be Next
Malaika's Costume NYC Carnival Book Bash
May 21 10:30-11:30am Kiddie Carnival (Story Time)
May 21 4-5pm Big People Fete (Book Launch)
Bank Street Bookstore
New York City, New York, United States of America
Malaika's Costume Boston Carnival Meet and Greet
May 26, 2016 1:00-3:00pm
Tatnuck Books
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Malaika's Costume Burlington Carnival Meet and Greet
May 29, 2016 2:00-3:00pm
A Different Drummer Bookstore
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
11. Writing Tips for Newbies and Oldies
Read lots of books, all kinds of books. Award-winners and the bad ones. Read every genre but most importantly, read the genre you wish to write in. See what the conventions are for that genre and find out who the publishers that produce work in that genre. Read to enjoy the book but also to critique it. See what is working and figure out what is not working.
I have enclosed my April/May 2016 Nadia's Notables Newsletter (below) and I am currently on my June/July 2016 Newsletter.
NADIA'S NOTABLES
NEWSLETTER #3
APRIL/MAY 2016
In this issue of Nadia's Notables Newsletter:
1. My Diploma came in the Mail...
2. Malaika's Carnival Book Bash at Albion Library
3. Kweli Conference in New York City
4. Malaika's Brampton Book Bash
5. Koffler Bookmarkers: Breakfast & Books
6. Suddaby School Visit in Kitchener, Ontario
7. SCBWI Art of Story Conference in Ottawa 2016
8. Sankofa's Pen at the FOLD Festival
9. Reviews Galore
10. Where I'll Be Next
11. Writing Tips for Newbies and Oldies
1. My Diploma came in the Mail...
It's official! I am a graduate of the Humber College School of Writers Correspondence Program in 2015. I got to work with middle-grade/young-adult author Richard Scrimger on a middle-grade novel that I began in 2009. Well, at first it was supposed to be a early chapter book, then it became a graphic novel, then evolved from a science-fiction middle grade to a contemporary modern novel. Marcus... is the story of a twelve-year old Jamaican boy in Canada. (There's a little more to the story but I like to keep some mystery.) At this point, I am proud to say that the manuscript is complete but in need of some editing and workshopping which I hope to complete over the next few months. I am giving myself a deadline.
2. Malaika's Carnival Book Bash at Albion Library
Thank you so much to all who came out to Malaika's Carnival Book Bash on Saturday, April 2, 2015 at Albion Library Youth Events, 1515 Albion Road in Toronto (Rexdale), my childhood library branch. It was so nice to see familiar folks and I met some new ones. I presented our book Malaika's Costume in the story pit to an audience of parents, children, and fellow writers. The attendees danced to interactive soca songs, sang "Malaika" in Swahili, made Carnival headpieces with illustrator Irene, coloured Carnival pictures, and watched and listened to the young performers of the Ubuntu Drum and Dance Theatre. Here are some photos highlighting the day.
3. Kweli Conference in New York City
On Saturday, April 9, 2016, the Kweli Journal hosted its 2nd Annual Children's Literature Conference in New York City, NY. What made this one-day conference special was that it focused exclusively on diversity in children's and young adult books. I loved the opportunity to see my diverse writing colleagues and to meet new ones from all across the United States. (Attending writing conferences and events in the US is feeling more and more comfortable as I see more and more familiar faces. :-) Now when I go to American events, it's becoming much more like "family" for me. In terms of Canadians present, there were four of us-- author and diversity in kid lit advocate (based in the United States), poet Carol-Ann Hoyte, pre-published writer Noelle Paredes-Plaza. I even got to meet some of my favourite Black women authors, Nnedi Okorafor and Edwidge Danticat. My only complaint of the conference is only that I wish it was longer. Definitely worth the day trip.
4. Malaika's Brampton Book Bash
Malaika's Costume Brampton Carnival Book Bash took place on April 23 at Knowledge Bookstore, one of only three remaining independent Black-owned bookstores in the Greater Toronto-area. (Owner Sean Liburd and his wife Michele created a gorgeous video trailer here.) The adults and children who came sang and danced. I told Caribbean stories, taught chants, songs, and Caribbean rhymes. Kids learned about the history of Carnival, made peacock headpieces, and even participated in the reading of Malaika's Costume.
5. Koffler Bookmarkers: Breakfast & Books
On April 17, I had a fabulous time doing what I love doing which is sharing Caribbean rhymes and songs and reading my story to young children at Koffler Centre of the Arts Artscape Youngplace this morning Bookmarkers: a books + breakfast series for young kids & their parents in Toronto, Ontario. Children and their parents learned "Mosquito", sang a Jamaican folksong called "Wata Come a Me Yeye", soca danced to "Followed the Leader", and heard about the background story behind my new picture "Malaika's Costume". The children were fun, attentive, and inquisitive. For this presentation, it was nice that I had more time to sit down and chat with the children and their parents. I got to show off and play my musical instruments-- an axase and a recorder. Malaika's Costume illustrator Irene Luxbacher and author/illustrator Danielle F. Daniel engaged kids in double crafts-- puppets and Carnival headpieces. How fun is that? Danielle also read from her new picture book, Sometimes I Feel Like A Fox in a funny and engaging way. Plus, there was a delicious array of cookies which disappeared in no time. (Who could ask for anything more?)
6. Suddaby School Visit in Kitchener, Ontario
In April, I had the blessed opportunity to present my picture book, Malaika's Costume, at my first Canadian school (outside of my own) in Kitchener, Ontario. I presented to all kindergarten classes and to students Grades 1-4. I don't need to say much about this experience that was loads of fun as I am sure you can see in these photos.
7. SCBWI Art of Story Conference in Ottawa 2016,
Steam Punk Party, and Authors for Indies at Kaleidoscope Books
What did I get to do over the course of 3 days in Ottawa, Canada's capital city? A steampunk party, workshops, critique circles, one-on-one feedback, first page pitch, and a chance to hang out with Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) members of the Canada East Chapter and beyond. Throw in some poutine and a stroll through Spark Street and Byward Market and it was all good. Plus, I took part in the Authors for Indies day (in support of independent bookstores) held at the Kaleidoscope Kids Bookstore in Ottawa. I got to hang out with some of my favourite Canadian children's author/illustrators like Ruth Ohi and meet new ones. I even saw a familiar face with editor Grace Kendall, whose workshop I attended at both SCBWI Canada East and Kweli conferences.
8. Sankofa's Pen at the FOLD Festival
In 2014, I started a group called the African-Canadian Writers for Children and Young Adults (ACWCYA) which I later changed the name to Sankofa's Pen. The group meets quarterly and has an active Facebook group which is just shy of 100 members. Sankofa's Pen had its spring meeting recently at the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) May 6-8, the first ever event dedicated to diverse literature in Canada. The event was held in Brampton, Ontario which is 40-minutes from downtown Toronto and one of Canada's most diverse cities. The FOLD attracted over 500 delegates. Great work to fellow Groundwood Books author/FOLD founder and director, Jael Richardson and her team, on a job well done.
9. Reviews Galore
I have been very blessed over the last three months with lots of great print and electronic coverage of Malaika's Costume. There have been reviews, interviews, and honourable mentions in articles. Check out the listings and view some here. It gives me great joy that a story I wrote in patois 6 years ago is connecting with so many people. The story about separation, immigration, Carnival, and the Caribbean has changed my life in many ways. It's been an amazing journey so far.
10. Where I'll Be Next
Malaika's Costume NYC Carnival Book Bash
May 21 10:30-11:30am Kiddie Carnival (Story Time)
May 21 4-5pm Big People Fete (Book Launch)
Bank Street Bookstore
New York City, New York, United States of America
Malaika's Costume Boston Carnival Meet and Greet
May 26, 2016 1:00-3:00pm
Tatnuck Books
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Malaika's Costume Burlington Carnival Meet and Greet
May 29, 2016 2:00-3:00pm
A Different Drummer Bookstore
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
11. Writing Tips for Newbies and Oldies
Read lots of books, all kinds of books. Award-winners and the bad ones. Read every genre but most importantly, read the genre you wish to write in. See what the conventions are for that genre and find out who the publishers that produce work in that genre. Read to enjoy the book but also to critique it. See what is working and figure out what is not working.
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