It was a Caribbean first.
Nine editors from all over the region travelled to Guyana for a free, weeklong, intensive, residential fiction editing workshop.
Led by Jeremy Poynting of Peepal Tree Press (UK) and Johnny Temple of Akashic Books (USA), the two largest publishers of Caribbean literature, last week’s workshop was part of an on-going region-wide project to develop publishing skills in the Caribbean and support Caribbean books and writers.
According to Marina Salandy-Brown of the Bocas Lit Fest, “the specific objective of this CaribLit workshop was to have a supply of well-trained editors from whom writers in the region could seek professional feedback before publishing.”
The benefit of the rare opportunity was not lost on the nine participants who came from T&T, Jamaica, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, Belize and Guyana. “What a phenomenal experience the Guyana workshop was … something I will never forget”; “life-enhancing”; “inspiring”; “definitely one of the most useful workshops I’ve ever attended”; “a real privilege”, these are just some of their responses.
Rukhsana Yasmin of Commonwealth Writers, principal founding partner of CaribLit together with the British Council and the Bocas Lit Fest, was also in Guyana. “I was impressed with the calibre of the editors who took part in that very informative and comprehensive workshop; their energy and passion was inspiring.” She added, “Publishing is a sector with potential to contribute significantly to the economy, as well as enriching people’s experiences, and Commonwealth Writers is committed to helping develop a stronger publishing sector in the Caribbean.”
We are extremely grateful for the generous support of Commonwealth Writers, British Council and Canadian charity CODE who made the workshop possible and who continue to collaborate with CaribLit in its work.
Commonwealth Writers, the cultural initiative of the Commonwealth Foundation, develops and connects writers across the world. It believes that well told stories can help people make sense of events, engage with others and take action to bring about change. Responsive and proactive, it is committed to tackling the challenges faced by writers in different regions and works with local and international partners to identify and deliver projects. Its activities take place in Commonwealth countries, but its community is global.
The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental development organisation with an international remit and reach, uniquely situated at the interface between government and civil society.
About Commonwealth Writers:
Commonwealth Writers, the cultural initiative of the Commonwealth Foundation, develops and connects writers across the world. It believes that well told stories can help people make sense of events, engage with others and take action to bring about change. Responsive and proactive, it is committed to tackling the challenges faced by writers in different regions and works with local and international partners to identify and deliver projects. Its activities take place in Commonwealth countries, but its community is global.
The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental development organisation with an international remit and reach, uniquely situated at the interface between government and civil society.