INTO THE FOLD
– A Books and Lit Fest Podcast –
with Jael Richardson and Hudson Lin
Launches this month in advance of the 10th Anniversary Festival of Literary Diversity
BRAMPTON, ON | November 20, 2024 – Jael Richardson, founder and Executive Director of the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD), Canada’s first festival dedicated to diverse authors and storytellers, today announced a new initiative and the dates for its 10th anniversary festival themed “A Decade of Change,” running April 27 to May 4, 2025.
“This is a big milestone,” says Richardson.“We’ve been through a lot over these last ten years and we’ve learned a lot too. The theme, a Decade of Change, invites us to look at what we’ve accomplished with the FOLD and where we want to go next. It will also allow us to examine what’s happening – and not happening – in publishing right now.”
To commemorate this momentous occasion and to explore the theme further, the FOLD also announced the launch of Into the FOLD: A Books and Lit Fest podcast hosted by author and Executive Director Jael Richardson and FOLD’s new Program Coordinator, author Hudson Lin. Guided by Richardson and Lin’s inquisitive natures, love of books, and publishing expertise and supported by Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Creative Writing and Publishing, Into the FOLD is a conversational deep dive into the history and current state of published storytelling in Canada.
For the last ten years, the FOLD has been Canada’s industry-leading literary event where underrepresented authors and storytellers discuss craft, culture, and identity, and where book lovers of all backgrounds can find their next great read. FOLD is the only literary festival in the country dedicated to connecting readers, educators, literary agents, and publishers with unpublished and published writers from marginalised communities.
Over the last decade, the festival has developed a reputation for curating thoughtful and engaging author events that move the needle on urgent conversations, while programs like Pitch Perfect and the Writers’ Hub have helped authors from marginalised communities get published by connecting them with industry professionals seeking new talent. In this pivotal anniversary year, the festival and the podcast will continue to rewrite the history of published storytelling in Canada by looking back and considering the industry’s future.
“There’s been so much change in the publishing industry over the past 10 years, and at the same time not enough change,” says podcast co-host and FOLD Program Coordinator Hudson Lin. “We want to talk about that with the community so that we can continue to advocate for meaningful change.”
The show’s title, Into the FOLD, was chosen to signify the podcast’s behind-the-scenes look at the organisation’s incredible legacy and to reflect the sense of belonging the FOLD fosters. Listeners will come away with insights into the Canadian publishing landscape and with trusted book recommendations in the lead up to the 10th anniversary festival in April.
Episode one of the podcast, featuring FOLD Kids Program Coordinator Ardo Omer, is available now. Future special guests include: Amanda Leduc, author, disability rights advocate, and former Communications Coordinator for the FOLD, and Samantha Clarke, the FOLD’s Volunteer and Audience Engagement Coordinator.
Into the FOLD is available on YouTube and all streaming platforms. Monthly releases will continue through May. Learn more at thefoldcanada.org/intothefold.
The 10th anniversary Festival of Literary Diversity is generously supported by: the City of Brampton; Penguin Random House Canada; Simon & Schuster Canada; Sheridan College; Harlequin; ECW Press; The Literary Press Group; and The Richardson Group with additional support from the Government of Canada; Canada Council for the Arts; Ontario Creates; Ontario Arts Council; and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
About The FOLD Foundation
The FOLD Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that celebrates underrepresented and marginalised authors and storytellers from Canada and around the world through two annual festivals–the Festival of Literary Diversity each May, and the FOLD Kids Book Fest in November–as well as through a number of literary programming initiatives held throughout the year.
About the Into the FOLD Co-Hosts
Jael Richardson is the founder and Executive Director for the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD). Her debut novel, Gutter Child, was a finalist for the Amazon First Novel Award.
Hudson Lin is an author of heartfelt, gritty romances that feature queer people of colour. Her most recent books, Hard Sell and Going Public, are published with Carina Press.
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For further media information, please contact:
Katie Saunoris | KSPR | katiesaunoris@gmail.com
The FOLD Admin