TOK: Writing the New Toronto, Book 6

TOK 6

On April 20, nineteen writers from different neighbourhoods in Toronto will celebrate their writing in TOK: Writing the New Toronto, Book 6 at their book launch in the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom.

For many of the writers, this anthology of new Toronto-set short stories and poetry is their first publication – the result of participating in Diaspora Dialogues’ annual free-of-charge mentoring and commissioning program.

Through an open call and juried process, these talented emerging writers were mentored by established writers over a number of months. Both the emerging and established writers were invited to create and submit original Toronto-set work for the book.

Emerging writer Pradeep Solanki, who contributed his story “Vivek” to the book, says that “the desire to be a writer had always been with me but it took a near-death experience to alight that fire. I would heartily recommend this program to any writer serious about getting published. It is certainly a leg up on a path that is often steep and slippery.”

“From a post-war Spadina Avenue to the charred remains of Queen Street West; from a Malton garden to Morningside Park; from a church pew to the TTC subway, TOK Book 6 will take you on a tour of your city that you won’t soon forget,” says Helen Walsh, editor of the TOK series and President of Diaspora Dialogues.

The launch will feature short readings from the book and a moderated conversation about writing the urban space, with contributors David Layton, Rishma Dunlop, Karen Connelly, Pradeep Solanki, Joanne Pak and Phoebe Wang, and a short reading from emerging playwright Claire Jarrold's Rats with Good PR.

TOK Book 6’s contributors include: Jo Simalaya Alcampo, Lynda Allison, Mahlikah Awe:ri, Karen Connelly, Rishma Dunlop, Alicia Elliott, Dorianne Emmerton, Terri Favro, Sarah Feldbloom, Faye Guenther, David Layton, Jennifer Marston, Martin Mordecai, Sheila Murray, Joanne Pak, Alicia Peres, Pradeep Solanki, Phoebe Wang and Joyce Wayne.

Currently Diaspora Dialogues is inviting submissions to its 2011-2012 annual mentoring program from emerging GTA writers of short stories, poetry and creative nonfiction. Successful mentees will then invited to submit to TOK: Writing the New Toronto, Book 7. Deadline is May 16th 2011. First and second-generation immigrants, and First Nations writers are especially welcome.