Rayne Affonso
Rayne Affonso graduated from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine with a BA Spanish and Literatures in English with First Class Honours. She works as a Spanish interpreter.Her poetry can be found in SPECTRUM: Poetry Celebrating Identity (2022) published by Renard Press and several journals. She is a 2023 Pushcart Prize nominee and […]
Shinade Martin
Shinade Martin is a multi-skilled creative with visionary purpose and distinctive skill sets in the fields of Civil Engineering, Fashion Design, Garment Construction, Business Development, Adult Fiction Novels, Screenplay writing, and Children’s Books. She created the Nayeli and Friends Adventures brand, alongside her 7-year-old daughter and Co-Founder Nayeli. She has published a series of books […]
Hazel Lynch
Hazel Lynch has a deep passion for the written word. Her desire to bring laughter to the hearts of her readers, is reflected in her writings. Hazel-Ann has no special genre as she does not like to be fitted into any specific box, much like her main character Señor Fluffy. Hazel goes where the wind […]
Lisa-Marie Foster
Lisa-Marie Foster is a passionate advocate for emotional intelligence and lifelong learning. With a background in psychology and a deep love for children, she believes in the transformative power of storytelling to connect, educate, and inspire.Through her work, Lisa-Marie aims to empower children to embrace their feelings and cultivate empathy for themselves and others, laying […]
Mikayla Burton
Mikayla Burton is 10 years of age, and she is currently a standard 4 pupil at St. Patrick’s Newtown Girls’ R.C School. Mikayla is very passionate about writing and dance. She wrote her first book in standard 1, The Creative Mind this gave her the drive to continue developing her writing skills, she is currently […]
Nailah Blackman
Nailah Blackman, a Trinidad born artist has infused her own musical style into the Soca genre, evolving and re-inventing what soca means to the Trinbagonian people. In 2017, Nailah created an annual event entitled ‘Sokah Origins’ which has seen great success. Nailah writes, composes and plays multiple instruments and is especially known for acoustic performances. […]
Dr. Riann Bala
Dr. Riann Bala is a general practitioner by profession and sweetheart by nature. She’s currently enjoying life as a certified yoga instructor, general practitioner, and aunt. Dr. Riann Bala graduated from the University of the West Indies with her Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). She has her Yoga 200H certification and teaches […]
Dr. Ria Bala
Dr. Ria Bala is a family physician by profession and a yogi by heart, both call to her passion for healing. Her interests lie in therapeutic yoga, longevity, functional, and mind-body medicine where she focuses on health in all aspects of the individual: mind, body, and spirit. She graduated with honors at her Bachelors of […]
Misha Ali
Mishal, an 11-year-old homeschooled student, is the author of The Enchanting Folklore of Trinidad and Tobago. Passionate about math, astronomy, and drawing, she delves into her country’s rich stories and culture. For fun, Mishal enjoys hip-hop dancing and singing, showcasing her creative spirit in various ways.
Daniel J. O’Brien
Daniel J. O’Brien is a Trinidadian born author and illustrator currently residing in Queens, New York. He holds a BFA in Illustration from The School of Visual Arts. His training coupled with his love of science, folklore, and nature, inspires Daniel to create otherworldly illustrations. His art has been shown in exhibits in Trinidad and New […]
Jillian Carreira
Jillian Carreira was born in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad and Tobago. She has obtained a Degree in Literature and Minor in Linguistics from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad. During her pursuit she received an Award of Excellence from the American Prose lecturer. Jillian presently teaches at a private school in Port of […]
Daniel José Older
Daniel José Older is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and composer. He is the author of the Bone Street Rumba novels, including Half-Resurrection Blues; the ghost noir collection, Salsa Nocturna; and the Young Adult novel Shadowshaper.
Isaac Price
Isaac Price is 7 and was the youngest writer to be shortlisted for the 2022 NGC Bocas Lit Fest Youth Writer Award. Aged 5, his debut book My Fun Pet, Hamlet the Hamster was published (2022). Based on his real-life experiences with his hamster, it explores themes of perseverance, forgiveness, responsibility, friendship, and more.
Phillip Simon
Phillip Simon was fascinated by many things as a child, but one of his main interests was Japan. This fascination remained with him until his adult years, causing him to move to Japan for two years as an Assistant Language Teacher teaching English in high schools. His experiences while there and his appreciation for Japan […]
Neala Bhagwansingh
Neala Bhagwansingh, co-author of children’s book The Most Magnificent, is a writer from Trinidad and Tobago. She was shortlisted for the 2022 Bocas Emerging Writers Fellowship, and her poems and short stories have appeared in The Caribbean Writer, Small Axe and Susumba’s Bookbag. She is an alumna of The Cropper Foundation Caribbean Writers’ Workshop (Trinidad […]
Liseanne Martin-Subero
Liseanne Martin-Subero is the founder and Chief Designer of Phixate Studios, a graphic design company based in San Fernando. Zoe the Fairy’s Discoveries – A trip to Maracas Beach is the first of many projects both authored and illustrated by Liseanne. She aims to highlight places of interest within beautiful Trinidad and Tobago in her […]
Mila Smith
Mila Smith is 11 and the author of This is Mila (2021). Based on her own life, it tells the story of a little girl who struggles to read and write and seeks to encourage others with similar experiences. She runs a baking business, is an avid skateboarder, exceptional artist, and fashionista.
David Ryan
David Ryan is a standard four student at Diego Martin Government Primary School. His short story “A Familiar Prison” won the age 5-8 category of the 2020 NGC Children’s Bocas Lit Fest Dragonzilla Short Story Writing Challenge. He enjoys writing, gaming, and playing the guitar in his leisure time.
Gail Morong
Gail Morong spent 37 years as an educator in both Trinidad and Tobago and Canada. Her main goals are to promote the educational value of the arts and produce culturally relevant resources for learners of all ages. Her children’s book Lost at Carnival isillustrated by Jackie Hinkson and published in 2015.
Orly Marley
Orly Marley is an Israeli-born entrepreneur and music manager. She is the co-author of Little John Crow, with her husband Ziggy Marley.
Ziggy Marley
Ziggy Marley is an eight-time GRAMMY Award winner, Emmy Award winner, author, philanthropist, and reggae icon. He has released thirteen albums to much critical acclaim, and is the author of the children’s books I Love You Too, My Dog Romeo, Music Is in Everything, and Little John Crow (with his wife, Orly Marley).
Josse Franco
Josse Franco is a talented young writer from Trinidad and Tobago. In 2020, his short story “The Big Fight” won the NGC Bocas Lit Fest Dragonzilla’s Short Story Writing Competition in the 9–12 age category.
Josh Hansraj
Josh Raphael Hansraj, age 11, won the 2020 and 2021 NGC Children’s Bocas Lit Fest Dragonzilla Short Story Writing Competition. In 2022, he received a Silver Award for his entry at the Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition. He also plays the keyboard and sings, including calypsoes. He attends the Grant Memorial Presbyterian School in San Fernando.
Desryn T. A. Collins
Desryn T. A. Collins, the author of How to Become a Calypsonian (HarperCollins) is passionate about the power of books to transform lives and help children discover their own voices. She holds an MA in English from UCL, University of London. This gifted writer was born in Guyana but lives in St John’s, Antigua where […]
Coryn Anaya Clarke
Coryn Anaya Clarke, age 7, is the author of 7 books. Chronicles of Coryn: My First Carnival and Chronicles of Coryn: Adventures in Montserrat are her latest (2023), with Chronicles of Coryn: 7 Days of Fun being her first (2020). Chronicles of Coryn: Adventures in Saint Kitts and Nevis and Chronicles of Coryn: Gratitude Journal […]
Naila Baynes
Naila Baynes is a first-time author at the age of seven. Her book Open your Heart encourages readers to experience life and embrace its many possibilities. Naila loves to dance, sing and express herself creatively. She embodies the principles of love and kindness, and wants to use her writing to help make the world a […]
Kai-De Alexis
Kai-De Alexis is a 10-year old poet from Trinidad and Tobago. Her poem appears in the anthology Unyielding Roots: What is your hair story? edited by Kiana Davis, in which she shares her message that “my hair doesn’t make me pretty, I was pretty all along.”
Yolanda T. Marshall
Yolanda T. Marshall is a Guyanese-born author of Keman’s First Carnival, Sweet Sorrel Stand, A Piece of Black Cake for Santa, Miles Away in the Caribbean, and My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans, which made CBC’s Best Picture Books list 2020. She lives in Canada and is dedicated to writing children’s […]
Reea Rodney
Reea Rodney is a resident of Brooklyn, New York, but is originally from Indian Walk, Moruga in Trinidad. She has acquired a BSc. in Healthcare Management, in addition to an Associate’s in Occupational Studies with a major in Medical Assisting and several certifications. As a serial entrepreneur, Reea holds the titles of Self-Publishing Consultant and […]
Cecilia Salazar
Cecilia Salazar is one of Trinidad and Tobago’s leading actors. She holds a BA in theatre from Brock University, Ontario, Canada. She has graced the stage in many iconographic roles such as Miss Miles, The Woman of the World; Queen Mamala in the 3canal show; Lizzie in Mary Could Dance; Elsa in The Sound of […]