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Authors Announced for the 2023 Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD)

Mar 23, 2023

THE FESTIVAL OF LITERARY DIVERSITY (FOLD) 2023 A celebration of diverse authors and storytellers April 30 to May 7 In-person appearances by Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Britta Badour, Jesmeen Kaur Deo, Cherie Dimaline, Ali Hassan, Catherine Hernandez, Jen Sookfong Lee, Suzette Mayr, Sheila Murray, Janika Oza, Casey Plett, Liselle Sambury, Dan K. Woo and more. Virtual appearances...

White rectangular graphic with a dark purple border, showcasing four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD March Challenge: A fiction or non-fiction book about an immigration journey. Titles are ALL THE SHINING PEOPLE by Kathy Friedman, HOTLINE by Dimitri Nasrallah, DANDELION by Jamie Chai Yun Liew, and NILA THE BLEEDING GARDEN by Laila Re. For full list, visit thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2023

March FOLD 2023 Challenge: A fiction or non-fiction book about an immigration journey

Mar 1, 2023

By Alya Somar 2022 was a record breaking year for new permanent residents to Canada. Over 400,000 new permanent residents chose to make Canada their home. With so many Canadians, comes so many stories. Migration stories from all across the world are highlighted in this month’s FOLD challenge, fiction and nonfiction books about immigration journeys....

White rectangular graphic with a dark green border, showcasing three book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD Kids March Challenge: A speculative tale by a Black Canadian author. Titles are FINDING HOME by Jen Sookfong Lee and Drew Shannon, ZARA HOSSAIN IS HERE by Sabina Khan, and SADE: WE'RE MOVING TO CANADA by Yewande Daniel-Ayoade

March FOLD Kids 2023 Challenge: A fiction or non-fiction book about an immigration journey

Mar 1, 2023

By Toni Duval This month we are highlighting stories of immigration for children, middle grade readers and young adults. Our authors have made Canada their home in a variety of ways. They may have lived around the world before arriving here, are children of immigrants and/or chose to immigrate here as adults. They use storytelling...

White rectangular graphic with a dark purple border, showcasing four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD February Challenge: Speculative fiction by a Black Canadian author. Titles areMANIFEST by Terese Mason Pierre, YUME by Sifton Tracey Anipare, BUTTER HONEY PIG BREAD by Francesca ekwuyasi, and SON OF THE STORM by Suyi Davies Okungbowa. For full list, visit thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2023

February FOLD 2023 Challenge: Speculative fiction by a Black Canadian author

Feb 1, 2023

By Meg Wheeler Now that the longest month of the year is over (goodbye, January!), I’m excited to welcome February, and with it Black History Month. For February’s Reading Challenge, we’re focusing on speculative fiction written by Black Canadian authors. The selected titles for this month offer something for everyone: a poetry chapbook, the first...

White rectangular graphic with a dark green border, showcasing three book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD Kids February Challenge: A speculative tale by a Black Canadian author. Titles are BLACK SUN by Kevin Nyeusi Mawazo, METATRON’S CHILDREN by Chu Ryan Spain,, illustrated by Sydney and THE POT OF WISDOM: ANANSE STORIES, by Adwoa Badoe, illustrated by Wague.

February FOLD Kids 2023 Challenge: A speculative tale by a Black Canadian author

Feb 1, 2023

By Toni Duval This month we are highlighting speculative tales written by Black Canadian authors. This is a broad category that may include science fiction, fantasy, horror, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic, or alternative history stories. We want to encompass stories that look to the future while also recognizing stories rooted in the African diaspora. With the...

White rectangular graphic with a dark green border, showcasing three book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD Kids February Challenge: A speculative tale by a Black Canadian author. Titles are AS LONG AS THE LEMON TREES GROW by Zoulfa Katouh, NURA AND THE IMMORTAL PALACE by MT Khan and DEAR BLACK CHILD by Rahma Rodaah and Lydia Mba

January FOLD Kids 2023 Challenge: A debut book by a Muslim author

Jan 9, 2023

By Ardo Omer This is the first time the FOLD is doing a kids version of our annual reading challenge and we’re starting the year off with debut Muslim authors. We have suggestions for young adults, middle grade readers and the picture book fans. All of our recommended writers are also Canadians! Enjoy! 1)...

White rectangular graphic with a dark purple border, showcasing four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD January Challenge: A debut book b y a Muslim author. Titles are HER FIRST PALESTINIAN AND OTHER STORIES by Said Teebi, MY GRIEF, THE SUN by Sanna Wani, A SMALL HOMECOMING by Furqan Mohamed, and THE SHAYTAN BRIDE by Sumaiya Matin. For full list, visit thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2023

January FOLD 2023 Challenge: A debut book by a Muslim author

Jan 3, 2023

By Amanda Leduc Welcome to the 2023 FOLD Challenge! This year, we’re starting our year off with debuts–debut books from Muslim authors, to be specific. The recommended reads for this month cover a wide range of genres from poetry and short fiction through to novels and non-fiction. We’ve even popped in some bonus content to...

Close up of a BIPOC person writing in a notebook. White text: SUBMIT TO THE FOLD PROGRAM. Deadline February 1.

Submit to the 2023 FOLD Program!

Dec 15, 2022

Submissions to the 2023 FOLD Festival Program are now open! Every year, the FOLD publishes a unique Festival Program which includes the festival schedule and information and articles and essays from Canadian writers. Articles in the Program showcase a wide variety of styles, approaches, and diverse lived experience. In 2023, we are pleased to announce...

Blue rectangular graphic with a Black woman with bright blonde hair looking at a computer. White text: PITCH PERFECT. APPLY by February 1.

Pitch Perfect at FOLD 2023: FAQs

Dec 15, 2022

What do you do with a manuscript when you think it might be done? You PITCH IT. Pitch Perfect is back! If you have a draft of a novel or creative nonfiction manuscript, and you’re not sure whether it’s ready to go or what to do next, Pitch Perfect at FOLD 2023 is the perfect opportunity...

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