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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...

White rectangular graphic with a dark pink border, showcasing four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD December Challenge: A romance novel featuring a character of faith. Titles are LOVE FROM MECCA TO MEDINA by S.K. Ali, SOPHIE GO’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB by Roselle Lim, WHERE WE END AND BEGIN by Jane Igharo, and A HOLLY JOLLY DIWALI by Sonya Lolli. For full list, visit thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2022

December FOLD 2022 Challenge: A romance novel featuring a character of faith

Dec 1, 2022

By Jael Richardson It’s getting cold in the FOLD’s corner of the world, and we are warming up with some delightful romance reads for December. This month’s FOLD Challenge is all about romance featuring characters of faith. Grab one–or all four!–of our recommended reads below and get into the holiday season! 1) Love from...

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...

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