Description
In this opening FOLD Academy workshop for the 2023-2024 season, author and Executive Director Jael Richardson discusses key lessons for emerging and established writers navigating the publishing industry. In this workshop, writers will receive helpful business insight from the perspective of an author of more than five books spanning a variety of genres and a festival director with more than ten years of experience curating, interviewing and programming a variety of authors. From social media tips to contract considerations, this not-to-be-missed workshop will provide important lessons designed to help writers navigate the publishing industry with care and confidence.
This session will be closed-captioned. Closed captioning provided by Zoom auto transcription.
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Webinar Host
Jael Richardson is the best-selling author of Gutter Child, which was shortlisted for the Amazon First Novel Award and was the recipient of a Word Award. Richardson lives in Brampton, Ontario where she serves as the Executive Director for the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD).
Upcoming Webinars

Writing From Desire & Body with Linh S. Nguyen
Join children’s author and arts educator Linh S. Nguyễn in her new workshop aimed at writing practices that stem from the body. Her teaching methods rely on pleasure and paying attention to what surfaces unplanned (aligned with adrienne maree brown’s “emergent strategy”). Desire and emergence are treated as entry points to making art, which ensures an accessible space for beginners or those who might not consider themselves writers or artists. As we move through a precarious world, it is important to notice our bodies, entanglements, emotions, and the places where we take root and grow. Knowing that everything is in flux—including our homes and our selves—the most essential skill is to honour what matters in any given moment. Learn to be present and write from wherever you’re at. Participants will be guided through emergent practice, embodiment, and love as a way of knowing (audre lorde) as it relates to creative work. Bring a warm beverage, writing utensils, and coloured pencils, and join us from the comfort of your home.
This session will be closed-captioned. Closed captioning provided by Zoom auto transcription.

Digging for Truth in Memoir Writing with Annahid Dashtgard
What do great memoirs have in common? In this workshop, bestselling non-fiction author Annahid Dashtgard guides writers through steps in the process of committing one’s life to the page, and how to know when a writer arrives at the most truthful and impactful version of events.
This session will be closed-captioned. Closed captioning provided by Zoom auto transcription.