Diaspora Dialogues

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Congratulations, Terri Favro!

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Earlier this month, ECW Books published a second book, “Sputnik’s Children”, by Terri Favro from the 2011 short form mentorship. Since then it has been included on the CBC Books Spring Reading List: http://www.cbc.ca/books/2017/04/the-cbc-books-2017-spring-reading-list.html and was one of four books selected by Canadian Living as top picks for May: http://www.canadianliving.com/life-and-relationships/culture-and-entertainment/article/4-amazing-page-turners-that-celebrate-women

There is a launch party on Thursday, May 4 from 7 pm to 9 at Bar Italia: 582 College Street. All DDers are warmly invited!

Pratap Reddy’s Weather Permitting and Other Stories

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Pratap Reddy first got involved with Diaspora Dialogues as a mentee back in 2008 as part of our (soon-to-be-relaunched) short form mentorship program. In 2012, he participated in our long form mentorship, writing and revising Weather Permitting and Other Stories, with the help of mentor Cynthia Holz.

After a few years of hard work and revisions on Pratap’s part, Guernica Editions picked up his first novel. Its official release date is Friday, April 1, but you can pre-purchase the book today from Guernica Editions or Indigo.

Weather Permitting and Other Stories is a collection centred around new immigrants—spirited people prepared to leave their home and hearth to travel to distant lands in pursuit of dreams of a better life. But often times there’s a reality check, and they are left to grapple with unexpected challenges: cultural shock, lack of Canadian work experience and jobs, absence of affordable daycare, and non-recognition of their educational credentials. Despite this, the stories show the determination of these immigrants to survive on alien soil.

Pratap Reddy is an absolutely terrific writer, both human and humane, and he writes about the immigrant experience with an unpretentious intelligence that captures both the anguish and wild humour of it.
—Elisabeth Harvor

Guernica Editions will be holding an official book launch on Sunday, June 4. Stay tuned for more details.

Congrats on all of your hard work and success, Pratap!

2016 Long Form and Playwright Mentorships

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We’re happy to announce Diaspora Dialogues’ 2016 Long Form Mentorship participants.

In January 2016, established authors will mentor emerging writers in the development of a full novel, short story, or poetry manuscript.

Our mentors are:

The writers receiving mentorship are:

On the playwright front, emerging playwrights will work with professional dramaturges in the year-long development of a full-length play.

Our mentors are:

The playwrights receiving mentorship are:

Be sure to visit our website regularly for in-depth profiles of the writers and playwrights and their works-in-progress.

2015 Mentoring Program

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Diaspora Dialogues welcomes six emerging writers to the 2015 edition of its long-form mentorship program. From January–July 2015, mentees Amina Farah, David Huebert, Dianah Smith, Shawn Salik, Nadja Lubiw-Hazard and Aaron Kreuter will respectively polish their manuscripts with mentors Pasha Malla, David Layton,Martin Mordecai, Catherine Graham, Andrew Borkowski, and Lauren Kirshner.

Open Call for DD Mentoring Program

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Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 mentoring program, focusing on the creation of long-form manuscripts and offering emerging writers an in-depth opportunity to hone their craft and prepare a book-length project for publication. Application deadline: October 31, 2014.

For more info and to download guidelines and submission form, visit here.

Emerging Playwright’s Residency Program

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DD’s inaugural Emerging Playwright’s Residency Program is currently under way. In partnership with select Toronto theatre companies and under the guidance of experienced dramaturges, emerging playwrights from diverse backgrounds will develop a full-length play over the course of one year, at the end of which there will be workshop readings of each playwright’s script at their respective host theatres. Congratulations to the playwrights who have been chosen to participate in our free residency!

Photo by Mayo Buenafe Jo Simalaya Alcampo plant whispering at the University of the Philippines—Baguio City

The 2014–15 Diaspora Dialogues’ Emerging Playwrights-in-Residence are:

Let the dialogue begin!

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