Diaspora Dialogues

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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!

DD Launches Its First Book Club!

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Diaspora Dialogues, in partnership with Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens, is pleased to launch its first ever book club!

Diaspora Dialogues supports the creation and presentation of new fiction, poetry and drama that reflect the complexity of Toronto—and Canada—back to residents through the eyes of its richly diverse communities. Spadina Museum interprets the interwar period through a rich slate of guided tours, school programs, special events, changing exhibits, lectures and workshops, and is one of 10 historic museums operated by the City of Toronto.

The Diaspora Dialogues-Spadina Museum Book Club will aspire to connect book lovers with authors. At the book club meetings, authors will read from and discuss their works, and take questions from members.

  • Sunday, March 8, 2015 (Joe Kertes, The Afterlife of Stars)
  • Sunday, May 3, 2015 (Jennifer Robson, After the War is Over)
  • Saturday, June 6, 2015 (tbc)

Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Road
3:30pm–5:00pm

Tickets: $35 (includes discounted cost of book & 25% off future admission to the Spadina Museum for up to 4 people)

To register, please visit diasporadialogues.eventbrite.com.

After registration, you will receive email notification of when you can pick up your copy of the book from Diaspora Dialogues’ offices at 170 Bloor Street West.

The Afterlife of Stars has been described by Anne Michaels as “unforgettable and deeply moving,” and by Richard Bausch as “brilliant, radiant.” In the waning months of 1956, while Russian tanks roll into the public squares of Budapest to crush the Hungarian Revolution, brothers Robert and Attila Beck flee with their family to the Paris townhouse of their great-aunt Hermina. As they travel through minefields both real and imagined, Robert and Attila grapple with sibling rivalry, family secrets, and incalculable loss to arrive at a place they thought they’d lost forever: home. In beautifully crafted writing that burns with intensity and humour, Joseph Kertes explores displacement and uncertainty in a dark time from the perspective of two boys filled with wonder at the world around them.

Joseph Kertes was born in Hungary but escaped with his family to Canada after the revolution of 1956. He studied English at York University and the University of Toronto, where he was encouraged in his writing by Irving Layton and Marshall McLuhan. Kertes founded Humber College’s distinguished creative writing and comedy programs. He is currently Humber’s Dean of Creative and Performing Arts and is a recipient of numerous awards for teaching and innovation.

Questions? Please email rebecca@diasporadialogues.com

Toronto Jewish Book Festival

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DD is excited to announce its participation this year at the Toronto Jewish Book Festival running from June 4-7. On Tuesday, June 5, DD’s inviting audiences to enjoy readings from this year’s TOK 7contributors Irving Ellman, Amina Farah, Catriona Wright and special guest Robert Rotenberg, best-selling author of Old City Hall. Come out and preview TOK 7 and Robert’s latest novel Stray Bullets.

When: Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Where: Toronto Reference Library, Bram & Bluma Appel Salon; 789 Yonge Street
Time: 6 pm
Price: $5 at the door

For more info about TJBF visit here.

TOK 7 Book Launch

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Let’s celebrate another edition of TOK!

TOK: Writing the New Toronto, Book 7 is set to launch on Wednesday, May 9. The successful anthology series features new fiction, drama and poetry from the brightest Canadian writers, as well as the most promising new voices. Each book contains a collection of stories and poetry that reflects the complexity of the city we inhabit seen through the unique eyes of its storyteller. The seventh edition of TOK presents a new set of narratives connecting readers to the locations and experiences created by the writer.

Please join us to celebrate the new work and the city’s most talented writers and a new generation of emerging TOK writers.

Featured writers from TOK include James Papoutsis, Zalika Reid-Benta, and Yaya Yao. Readings will be followed by a panel discussion that includes the mentioned writers and TOK 7 mentors Moez Surani and Olive Senior.

When: Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm; readings will commence at 7:30 pm
Where: Gladstone Hotel Ballroom; 1214 Queen Street West
Admission: Free, all are welcomed!

Order a copy of TOK 7 here.

Our Third Edition of TOK: Writing the New Toronto launches at Luminato

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Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Join Diaspora Dialogues at the Drake Underground on Wednesday June 11 at 8:00 p.m. for a literary cabaret to celebrate the new book. You’ll hear readings by contributing writers Judy Fong Bates, Wasela Hiyate, Stacey May Fowles, Yvette Nolan and Alissa York; plus a sneak peek at next year’s book contributors Daniel David Moses and spoken word artist Shauntay Grant from Halifax. Then, after you’ve gotten your new book signed, dance the night away to the lively salsa music of Lady Son y Articulo Veinte.

Luminato, Toronto’s Festival of Arts & Creativity, invites you to 2008’s dynamic literary program. The festival aims to bring Canadian and international authors together around literary and political themes in addition to showcasing new works.

This year’s line-up includes perspectives on South Asia, a focus on war and politics through illustration, a celebration of a renowned literary master, the launch of the third instalment of a city-centric anthology, as well as a festival of short stories.

The richest discussions occur because of unexpected collaborations. For more information visit Luminato.com.

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