Kya Publishing Releases DJ Majesty Mixtape Highlighting the "Urban Toronto Tales" Book Collection

TORONTO, ONT (April 2013) – Kya Publishing has released an audio annotation of their 8 book Urban Toronto Tales collection: a mixtape created by DJ Majesty, featuring MC Brenton B, and narrated by author Stacey Marie Robinson. The musical mix of reggae, soca, hip-hop, and R&B is available for download and free hardcopies of the CD will also be distributed across Toronto this spring.

"Each of these stories was inspired by a particular genre of music," said Robinson. "I wanted to provide a soundtrack to the books that would sound and feel like what my characters were experiencing, and what I was listening to during the writing process."

The CD features 8 exclusive mixes from DJ Majesty, representing each of the books in the collection, and the characters from the tales: VIDEO LIGHT - Delia's Reggae Oldies Mix / I WISH I NEVER MET HIM - Vanessa's Dancehall Mix / REQUEST TO REWIND - Abigail's Soca Mix / THE WAY WE USED TO BE - Rahim's Hip-Hop Old School Mix / EIGHTEEN - Afia's R&B Old School Mix / FIRST YEAR - Michelle's R&B and Hip-Hop Mix / FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS - Symone's Slow Jam Mix and THE HOOK UP - Desiree's Lover's Rock Mix.

"The music sets the mood for each story," said Ryan Lowe aka DJ Majesty. "Many of our life experiences are tied to certain types of music; just hearing a song or a familiar riddim can bring us back to that time. It was great being a part of this project, and reminiscing about the Toronto experience over the years."

Toronto’s DJ Majesty provides professional entertainment services, with over 15 years of experience entertaining crowds. He is one of the most versatile DJs in the industry, and presents 8 distinct genre-mixes to highlight each of the Urban Toronto Tales on Kya Publishing’s inaugural mixtape.

"The CD itself is like a story," said Brent Kitson aka MC Brenton B, a staple in Toronto's urban entertainment community and a vibrant MC, also featured on the mixtape.


"The characters went through what most of us went through growing up in Toronto: going to the same events, having basement dances in your neighbourhood, playing mas or going downtown for Caribana…and then also dealing with regular day-to-day issues like school, work, or relationships. The Urban Toronto Tales books are about the life we live in Toronto, and the music fits each story perfectly."

"My books capture various moments in time in Toronto, from the perspective of a specific demographic of first- and second-generation Canadians, living in and around the city," said Robinson. "The language, the activities, and the locations are all distinctly Toronto by nature. This mixtape is Kya Publishing's way of enhancing the Urban Toronto Tales reading experience, by adding a familiar and enjoyable audio element, bringing the energy of the characters and their experiences to life."

Kya Publishing Book Drive to Donate Children's Books to Pediatric Hospitals Through the Book Industry Association of Jamaica (BIAJ)

TORONTO, ONT (February 2013) – Canadian publishing company, Kya Publishing, is extending their book donation program, Kya Keys, to share the benefits of reading with boys and girls in Jamaica. The book drive will take place from Friday, March 1^st through Saturday, March 30, 2013; donations will be accepted in the Toronto area and the books will be delivered to Jamaica in the spring.

Through the Book Industry Association of Jamaica (BIAJ), the Kya Keys book drive will provide new and gently-used reading materials to patients in the island’s pediatric hospitals.

For drop-off or pick-up in the Peel Region/West Toronto, please call, text, or email Donna Sisneth at 416-262-2832 or BeSmartToday@gmail.com. For Central/East Toronto, please email Sonia Bhatia at Sonia1Bhatia@gmail.com.

In the Durham Region, books can be dropped off through the Canadian Caribbean Cultural Association of Durham via the Kumon Learning Centre in the Whitby Mall (1615 Dundas Street East, #18) at 905-683-0980, or at The Family Worship Centre, Children's Christian Education Ministry in Pickering (1527 Bayly Street) at 905-839-4953.

“Many of us have children’s books that are no longer age-appropriate, or piled away in storage, that may never be opened again. Books are a treasure, and we want to ensure that no book goes unread,” said Kya Publishing founder and author Stacey Marie Robinson. “Through the Kya Keys Book Donation Program and the guidance of the BIAJ, Kya Publishing will find your books a new home in Jamaica, give the gift of reading to a young mind, and bring joy to their spirits during their hospital stay. Donations of new

 children’s books are also appreciated.”

The Kya Keys Book Donation Program was created to share the benefits of literacy through various rehabilitation, academic, and youth institutions on behalf of individual or organizational donors.

“It is important to be able to share knowledge and inspirational stories whenever possible. Through Kya Keys, Kya Publishing would like to assist in providing the access, potential solutions, and systems for solving issues through reading, by contributing these literary keys to our young Jamaican brothers and sisters.”

Please visit the Kya Keys Book Donation Program at www.facebook.com/KyaKeysBookDonationProgram for more information or to make arrangements for your donation—you may also contact (647) 342-3040 or info@kyapublishing.com.

About the Book Industry Association of Jamaica (BIAJ)

Founded in 1989, the mission of the BIAJ is to be the nation’s premiere organization committed to promoting literacy and the reading habit as tools for national development, economic growth, and educational excellence. In doing so, it affirms its support for Jamaica’s stated commitment to protecting the intellectual property rights of its citizens and preserving its culture heritage. Visit the BIAJ at www.BookIndustryJA.com for more information about their programming.

Kya Publishing to Define Canadian Urban Fiction Through Panel Discussion at the Toronto Public Library

TORONTO, ONT (January 2013) –Toronto publishing company Kya Publishing, along with the Toronto Public Library, will be hosting a panel discussion on Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Malvern Branch (30 Sewells Road at Neilson Road) with the objective of defining “Canadian Urban Fiction.”

Featuring a panel of urban Canadian writers, educators, and cultural advocates, the group will work towards creating a definition of this relatively new genre of Canadian literature, while discussing the Canadian urban identity and the most effective and accurate way to document this culture.

Moderated by author and Kya Publishing founder Stacey Marie Robinson and journalist Angela Walcott, the panel will feature relationship blogger Telisha Ng, children’s author Angela Ndongmo, Christian non-fiction writer Tanika Chambers, urban education scholar/teacher Camille Ramnath, hip hop artist General, and Life Fiction author D.A. Bourne.



“American authors like Sister Souljah, Omar Tyree, Terry McMillan, Zane, and K’wan have helped to develop a genre of fiction that is specific to their urban demographic and experience,” said Robinson. “It’s important that we ask: who is responsible for telling the urban Canadian stories of our generation, and how are these stories being told?”

Guest authors will read from their works, while outlining what makes their writing uniquely “urban Canadian.” A working definition of Canadian Urban Fiction will also be determined, to assist Kya Publishing with future research projects and the continued development of urban Canadian fiction. Following the discussion, video footage will be posted online to continue the conversation with the international writing community.

“Despite its growth, this genre still remains somewhat ambiguous and underrated,” said Robinson. “I’d like for this group of experts to assist in forming a concrete direction for Canadian urban fiction, so that our intentions and experiences are distinct, with a great foundation to build on.”

For more information, visit the Kya Publishing website at www.KyaPublishing.com to be connected to their social media sites. You may also contact Stacey at (647) 342-3040 or info@kyapublishing.com.

Facebook Event Listing

For more Black History Month events and programs from the Toronto Public Library, please visit http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs-and-classes/featured/black-history-month.jsp.

Kya Publishing to Host 1st Annual Toronto Urban Book Expo

In June of 2013, Kya Publishing is set to host the 1st annual Toronto Urban Book Expo (TUBE), an exposition of contemporary urban-Canadian writers and their international counterparts, where authors will have the opportunity to display, sell, and communicate their projects while gaining community support and recognition for urban literature and literacy. Along with writers, other urban artists are also welcome to display and promote their cultural items and initiatives.

TUBE will provide authors with the only Canadian festival that is exclusively dedicated to showcasing urban fiction. Writers can share their literature with the community and build this brand of Canadian writing while celebrating the unique perspective it introduces to Canadian literature and to foreign readers. As a niche market, TUBE will provide one-stop shopping for those interested in this genre.

The anticipated audience will include local readers, urban professionals, cultural advocates, as well as the general festival-attending Toronto public.

In order to make this festival beneficial for all attendees, interested participants are asked to fill out this brief survey indicating their preferences and expectations: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/J7GDBLS.

Become a supporter of the 1st annual TUBE, and start a new tradition of joining Kya Publishing as we celebrate the growing genre of urban Canadian books, arts, and culture through the sharing of literature and encouragements of literacy. For Vendor, Participant, Partnership or Sponsorship opportunities, please contact info@KyaPublishing.com.

Kya Publishing Supports Jamaal "Big Cat" Magloire's Editorial Debut

TORONTO, ONT. (January 2012) - Kya Publishing is proud to support Jamaal Magloire's weekly column "Big Cat's Corner" for The Caribbean Camera newspaper--his editorial debut.

Magloire (nicknamed the "Big Cat" by former teammate P.J. Brown, in tribute to his years as a University of Kentucky "WildCat") is a 12-year veteran of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a Toronto native of Trinidadian heritage, and the first Canadian to play for the Toronto Raptors. He is also a carnival bandleader for the Toronto Revellers.

"The Caribbean Camera readers are a part of my cultural community--and now also my professional community--and the reason why I contribute to this weekly column," said Magloire. "This is my chance to communicate with them and continue to be an ambassador of the city of Toronto and my Caribbean culture."

Founded in 2007 by Toronto author Stacey Marie Robinson, Kya Publishing is committed to the promotion and celebration of urban Canadian writing and culture through literature, and through assisting students, writers, and other professionals with their writing and publishing goals.

"Everyone knows how much Jamaal loves his West Indian community; it's an honour to be able to assist him with his contribution to The Caribbean Camera," said Robinson. "Throughout his career, Jamaal has continued to enhance the community's profile, and has done a great job communicating the story of his experiences as a first-generation Canadian. This is precisely the goal of Kya Publishing: to ensure that these stories are documented in Canadian history."

The Caribbean Camera, founded in 1990, is currently distributed weekly to 380,000 Caribbean-Canadians across the Greater Toronto Area. The publication can be found at many community businesses and West Indian establishments, or online at http://www.thecaribbeancamera.com/.

Direct feedback about "Big Cat's Corner" can be sent to jamaal@kyapublishing.com.




For more information about Kya Publishing's books, services, or to connect via Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube, please visit http://www.kyapublishing.com/.

Kya Publishing Introduces Editing, Writing, Publishing, & Mentoring Services

TORONTO, ONT. (October 2011) - Kya Publishing, now in it's fifth year of operation, is expanding it's services to include editing, writing, publishing consults, and student writing mentoring.

Founded by Toronto author Stacey Marie Robinson, Kya Publishing is committed to the promotion and celebration of urban Canadian books and culture. Along with publishing books, Kya Publishing will now assist writers, students, and business professionals, to help them achieve their writing and publishing goals.

"Kya Publishing is more than just the Urban Toronto Tales book collection. We are a young company, and as we grow, I want to ensure that we not only provide entertaining literature...but that we support others in the community with their initiatives," said Robinson. "Whether it's writing, publishing, editing, or even just helping a student writer plan his or her next steps, Kya Publishing is eager to take part in the process."

Fees for services are as follows:

Editing - $40 per hour
Writing - $50 per 250 words
Publishing Consult - $30 one time fee
Student Writing Mentorship - $25 per session

For more information about Kya Publishing's titles, services, or to connect via Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube, please visit http://www.KyaPublishing.com.

Kya Publishing joins the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP)

TORONTO, ONT (March 2011) – Toronto-based publishing company, Kya Publishing, has been accepted into membership of the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP).

The association represents over 120 book publishers across Canada, from a variety of genres and interests. Through projects, advocacy, and professional development, the ACP consistently ensures that the interests of Canadian-owned and Canadian-controlled book publishers are protected and developed. They are dedicated to the creation of an economically sustainable publishing industry, as well as the ongoing promotion and support of Canadian books.

To learn more about the ACP, please visit http://www.publishers.ca/.

Founded in 2007 by Canadian author Stacey Marie Robinson, Kya Publishing is dedicated to representing the voice of urban Canadians, and documenting their cultural experiences. Kya is excited to join the publishers and publishing experts at the ACP, and looks forward to the opportunities that this new membership and affiliation will bring.

To find out more about Kya Publishing, please contact info@KyaPublishing.com or (647) 342-3040.