Antonio Michael Downing spends his time writing books, singing songs and trying to make his Grandma proud. The 2018 Taylor Prize named him one of Canada’s best emerging authors. His acclaimed memoir SAGA BOY was called by Giller winner Ian Williams “the triumph of Blackness everywhere…” STARS IN MY CROWN is his first children’s book. BLACK CHEROKEE — his debut novel — will be released in North America by Simon and Schuster in 2025. He writes and performs music as John Orpheus.