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White rectangular graphic with a dark pink border, showcasing four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD November Challenge: A debut novel by a small press. Titles are ISOLATED INCIDENT by Mariam Pirbhai, THE LOYAL DAUGHTER by Nancy Lam, JADE IS A TWISTED GREEN by Tanya Turton, and ALL THE QUIET PLACES by Brian Thomas Isaac. For full list, visit thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2022

November FOLD 2022 Challenge: A debut novel from a small press

Nov 1, 2022

By Shoilee Khan The small press is a mighty thing; risk-taking, genre-disrupting, experimental works of great impact often find their home here. It’s a publishing space that takes intentional chances on new voices and engages with a vision for a literary landscape that is interesting, thoughtful, unexpected, and nuanced. The small press is where new,...

White rectangular graphic with a dark pink border, showcasing four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD October Challenge: A horror or gothic novel by a BIPOC author. Titles are MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW by Stephen Graham Jones, THE HACIENDA by Isabel Canas, THE GETAWAY by Lamar GILES, and HOUSE OF HUNGER by Alexis Henderson. For full list, visit thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2022

October FOLD 2022 Challenge: A horror or gothic novel by a BIPOC author

Oct 1, 2022

By Natasha Shaikh It’s October, the so-called spookiest month of the year, and with this time of year comes a favourite genre for readers to indulge in–horror. Specifically, this month we are focusing on horror and gothic fiction by BIPOC writers. The difference between horror and gothic fiction can vary depending on who you ask....

White square graphic with a dark pink border, showcasing four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD September Challenge: A book by a BIPOC author from Australia or New Zealand. Titles are AUE by Becky Manawatu, STILL ALIVE by Safdar Ahmed, MAGE OF FOOLS by Eugen Bacon, and UNPOLISHEM GEM: MY MOTHER, MY GRANDMOTHER, AND ME by Alice Pung. For full list, visit thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2022

September FOLD 2022 Challenge: A book by a BIPOC author from Australia or New Zealand

Sep 1, 2022

By Cat Belshaw As in the United States and Canada, the people of Australia and New Zealand (also recognized by its Māori name, Aotearoa) have been undergoing their own reckoning with the terrible realities that come with living in settler colonial societies. And, as we know well at the FOLD, writers and readers are often...

A brown woman in a bright red hijab is mid-laughter, with a bright wide smile on her face. White text says JOIN THE FOLD PROGRAM ADVISORY TEAM. VOLUNTEER ROLE. Applications open until August 26.

BIPOC Book Lovers: Applications now open for NEW FOLD Program Advisory Team!

Aug 8, 2022

The Festival of Literary Diversity is accepting applications from Indigenous, Black and racialized applicants for a new FOLD Program Advisory Team (FPAT) — an evolution of our FOLD Planning Team. FPAT members meet virtually 4-5 times per year and will agree to serve for a two-year term that involves contributing to programming decisions including festival...

White square graphic with a dark pink border, showcasing Four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD August Challenge: An audiobook by a Caribbean author. Titles are WHAT STORM, WHAT THUNDER by Myriam J. Chancy, PINK ICING AND OTHER STORIES by Pamela Mordecai, THE ISLAND OF FORGETTING by Jasmine Sealy, and HURRICANE SUMMER by Asha Bromfield. For full list, visit thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2022

August FOLD 2022 Challenge: An audiobook by a Caribbean author

Aug 1, 2022

This month, we’re delving into audiobooks by Caribbean authors. From the magical world of the Greek gods re-imagined through to a novel that follows the repercussions of the Haiti earthquake, these four recommended reads are brilliant, lush, and evocative in endlessly inventive ways. Check them out today! 1) What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam...

Graphic of water colours over an open book with the text that reads, "Submit to Pitch Perfect: KidLit* Edition. Deadline Extended: September 2. *Picture Books, middle grade and young adult

Pitch Perfect: KidLit Edition at FOLD Kids Book Fest 2022 (FAQs)

Jul 15, 2022

What do you do with a KidLit manuscript when you think it might be done? You PITCH IT. DEADLINE EXTENDED: SEPTEMBER 2 (11:59PM ET) Pitch Perfect: KidLit Edition is back! If you have a draft of a picture book or a book for preteens or teens, and you’re not sure what to do next,...

White rectangular graphic with a dark pink border, showcasing Four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD July Challenge: A novel set in or by an author from Northern Canada. Titles are THOSE WHO RUN IN THE SKY by Aviaq Johnston, SKRAELINGS by Rachel and Sean Qitsilak-Tinsley, CURVED AGAINST THE HULL OF A PETERHEAD by Taqralik Partridge, and NIGHT MOVES by Richard Van Camp. For full list, visit thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2022

July FOLD 2022 Challenge: A novel set in or by an author from Northern Canada

Jul 1, 2022

By Toni Duval I found the theme this month challenging because of the focus on the format of the novel. A quick Google search of “northern Canada” or “Inuit” will reveal a list of current stories by fabulous authors but few stories are written as novels. If you have not already heard of the “first...

Submit to the FOLD Kids Program. Deadline July 31. It features an image of a pencil that have things exploding out of it like a castle, a turtle, rocketship etc

Submit to the 2022 FOLD Kids Book Fest Program!

Jun 1, 2022

Submissions to the 2022 FOLD Kids Book Fest Program are now open! Every year, the FOLD Kids Book Fest publishes a unique Festival Program which includes the festival schedule and writing from young authors ages 6 – 14 across Canada. In 2022, we are pleased to accept submissions of poetry (any length) and short stories (up to 500 words)...

White rectangular graphic with a dark pink border, showcasing Four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD June Challenge: Creative nonfiction or memoir by an Indigenous author. Titles are INDIGENOUS TORONTO: STORIES THAT CARRY THIS PLACE edited by various authors, SCRATCHING RIVER by Michelle Porter, WHAT I REMEMBER, WHAT I KNOW by Larry Audlaluk, and PEKAYOW: RECLAIMING CREE DIGNITY by Darrel J. McLeod. For full list, visit thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2022

June FOLD 2022 Challenge: Creative nonfiction or memoir by an Indigenous author

Jun 1, 2022

This June, the FOLD Challenge focuses on creative non-fiction or memoir written by Indigenous authors. We have a wonderful selection of recommended titles for you this month—stories that span the urban and the rural, stories that centre themselves in the northernmost parts of Turtle Island, and others that breathe life into the many facets (and...

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