Literary initiation workshops (new)
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The Ateliers d’initiation au monde littéraire project, set up by the Espace de la diversité (EDLD), aims to introduce writers from marginalized communities to the literary ecosystem at the start of their careers, in order to initiate a sharing of knowledge and experience concerning the functioning of the literary and cultural space (the book chain and all its components) from writing to reading a book. Participants will meet with players in the ecosystem, including authors, translators, editors, proofreaders, publishers, producers, representatives of organizations and distributors. Three streams of workshops have been organized in collaboration with several organizations and players in the field:
1- The “Creation” section, with workshops such as :
- Introduction to Kasala (outdoors, Parc Maisonneuve): This ancestral form of oral poetry from sub-Saharan Africa celebrates the beauty of what connects us through the praise of the Other, of ourselves and of Life in the broadest sense. Led by Nelly Onestas Daou, social artist & holistic coach in professional (re)alignment and creative expression.
- Erotic writing workshop (outdoor): Hosted by poet Queen KA / Elkahna Talbi, this workshop encouraged the exaltation of the senses, proposing ways of thinking about writing about sexuality and finding the balance between description and the involvement of the reader’s imagination. An invitation to dare to set off in search of one’s own style, and to test one’s pen gently or with intensity, in intimacy or under several gazes, seriously or with total hilarity…
2- The “Reading and debates” section, with workshops such as :
- “Nous les autres”, a discussion with Mélikah Abdelmoumen (virtual)
- Queer literature workshop (virtual): Hosted by Soyane Diallo, this discussion around the novels Un ailleurs à soi (Mémoire d’encrier, 2018) by Emmelie Prophète and La balançoire de jasmin (Mémoire d’encrier, 2019) by Danny Ramadan opens reflections around the question how to write / read the complexity of the relationships that marginalized bodies have with the country and society?
3- The “Publishing professions” section, with workshops such as :
- What translating means (virtual): A discussion of translation as a political gesture, based on the practice and experiences of Chloé Savoie-Bernard, Webster LS and Arianne Des Rochers. Why translate, how translate? What are the particularities in the Quebec context, and what are the specificities according to genre? Moderated by Philippe Néméh-Nombré, the discussion explored translation with, through and beyond cross-linguistics.
- Linguistic revision workshop (outdoors at Parc Drolet-Rachel): There are many stages behind a published work. “Invisible” hands scrutinize, comment, correct and refine a manuscript right from the editorial stage. How do linguistic revisers go about working with writers? Kama La Mackerel, multidisciplinary artist and author, moderated this workshop aimed at demystifying the profession of linguistic revision. Guest panelists were Daoud Najm, Jeannot Clair, Luba Markovskaia and Nazik Dakkach.
- Booksellers’ workshop (in person at Racines Bookseller): From the technical side (receiving, managing and selling books) to the “advice” side (readings, suggestions, favorites), this workshop led by Lorrie Jean-Louis invited us to discover the contours of the bookseller’s profession, which fascinates all readers. With Mireille Frenette, Guillaume Cabana, Gabriella “Kinté” Garbeau and Léo Loisel.
