When? Broadcasting from 2:00 p.m. on 5 December 2020
Where? Online via the Fane productions website
Tickets: Ranging from £5-£20, available here.
In celebration of their groundbreaking #TwentyIn2020 initiative, Jacaranda Books will be hosting a virtual book festival exploring the Black experience through talks from authors and recognising the brilliant achievement of the independent publisher in successfully publishing twenty books written by Black Britons already this year.
On their website Jacaranda describe #TwentyIn2020 as being a “historical publishing initiative: the first time a UK publisher will publish 20 titles by 20 Black British writers in one year. With fiction, non-fiction and poetry, #TwentyIn2020 aims to normalise the presence of diverse literature and to amplify the voice of Black Britons as valued members of British culture and society.”
The sheer range in genre and topics covered by the titles already published under the initiative is astounding. For romance fans, highlights include Sareeta Domingo’s captivating tale of vulnerability and love at first sight, If I Don’t Have You and Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm’s romance saga Love Again. For young readers that are new to Shakespeare, Brenda Garrick’s Jamakaspere reimagines Shakespeare with a Caribbean twist, incorporating Jamaican Patois and for poetry lovers, The First Collection by Sarah Lipton-Sidibeh provides an intimate illustration of the body politic, set against Britain’s colonial landscape and present-day inequalities.
Discussing the breadth of the titles published in the #TwentyIn2020 series on the FANE website, Jacaranda revealed that their intention was to “normalise the presence of diverse literature and embed the voices of emerging Black authors as valued members of British culture and society.” This goal is certainly reflected in the impressive list of texts published and the online festival is the ideal space in which to celebrate and amplify Black voices even further.
The festival will feature a range of events from ‘Empowering Black women through Romance Writing’, ‘The Poets of #Twentyin2020’, to conversations with authors such as Shola von Reinhold, speaking about her book, Lote, which explores the censorship of Black queer voices within the creative industries. The full line-up for the event is yet to be announced, so keep an eye on Jacaranda’s social media for further details as they are released.
The event has been produced by Jacaranda Books alongside the bespoke live events company FANE and marcomms and talent management agency TGRG. Tickets are available via the FANE website here, with various pricing options available, ranging from early bird tickets for just £5, to £20 packages which include an all-access ticket and a book voucher to redeem at the Jacaranda online bookstore. Following the event’s live broadcast on 5 December at 2:00 p.m. UK time, all of the events will be available to view online for ticket holders for the 48 hours following the event.
Jacaranda will also be donating a percentage of the profits raised from the Twenty in 2020 Online Book Festival to support the vital heritage work of the Black Cultural Archives (BCA), the sole heritage centre based in the UK committed entirely to collecting, preserving and celebrating African and Caribbean history.
To find out more about the event as full event listings are announced, follow Jacaranda Books on their social media below:
Twitter: @JacarandaBooks
Facebook: Jacaranda Books Art Music Ltd
Instagram: @jacarandabooks
If you fancy treating yourself to one of the books from the #TwentyIn2020 list, visit the Jacaranda Books website here!
Events Round-Up
Publishing in Translation Studies: Reflections of an Editor, Referee and Author
When? 3 December
Where? Online here
Robert Valdeón, General Editor of the Benjamins Translation Library, is set to discuss the ‘publish or perish’ policy and how it impacts editors, referees and authors. Attendees are encouraged to participate by discussing their experiences.
A Career in Publishing: Editorial
When? 3 December
Where? Online here
The Bloomsbury Institute is hosting a new series discussing publishing career advice. Interviewing their talented team, the series plans to dig deep into the heart of their roles and respond honestly, expressing what they love and what they would do differently.
I Am in Print: Writing About Love - What do Men Know?
When? 25 November
Where? Online here
You can join in on a live discussion with David Nicholls, Mike Gayle and James Bailey. Three amazing authors who have written heart-warming and powerful stories about love and human connection.
Kendal Mountain Literature Festival
When? Live and on-demand from 19 November
Where? Online (tickets here)
Kendal Mountain Festival is currently in full swing, bringing the spirit of Kendal to your screens! Bringing you an array of renowned authors to share the adventure, these events can be watched at your leisure up until 31 December. Join their literary journey, listening to over 30 talks of the year’s best writing, exploring nature, people and places. Settle in as they take you from the Cumbrian Valleys to the Himalayas and beyond. If you fancy travelling the world from the comfort of your home, check the website here!