An important milestone that would be beneficial to the Grenadian public was achieved recently when a group of Grenadian authors officially launched Grenadian Published Authors, Inc., (GPA) at the Grenada National Museum on 28 June 2023.
Maybe circumstantial, or perhaps written, the launch took place within throwing distance of the shuttered and abandoned Sheila Buckmire Memorial Public Library.
Authors and other Grenadian creatives, including renowned Caribbean storyteller and comedian, Paul Keens-Douglas, gathered in St George’s to celebrate this historic event as they experienced poetry, singing, music, remarks, and a book exhibition to mark the occasion. In his remarks, Director David Ambrose reminisced about the origins of the group, flashing back to 2017 when 4 authors — Wendy Crawford-Daniel, Cindy McKenzie, the late Kamau Mc Barnette and himself — would meet every other Friday at Camerhogne Park in Grand Anse, “to discuss the literary scene in Grenada.” The group became a registered non-profit organisation in September 2022, and cites as its purposes the following:
- To provide training/workshops on book writing and publishing
- To organise visits to schools to encourage students to read and write
- To coordinate and host book expos/book fairs, and reading events
- To provide professional support to Grenadian authors
Director Ambrose paid tribute to the authors and the various genres across which they write. He lamented the absence of any Grenadian title on the English Literature curriculum of schools in Grenada, and advised the Ministry of Education that it was “time to fix that.” He pledged that GPA will approach the Ministry about this vexing issue. Grenadian books in Grenadian schools will help Grenada move towards becoming a reading nation again.
Ambrose praised the storytelling abilities of Grenadians and noted that authors have an important role to play in educating Grenadian society about our culture and history. He expressed his desire to see GPA play a role in the national celebrations that will take place next year as Grenada celebrates 50 years as an independent nation. He also called on the private sector and individual citizens to help the nation’s children get access to Grenadian books by sponsoring copies of local titles to be placed in schools’ libraries.
Director Ambrose urged authors to submit their books and other writings in regional and international literary contests so that more people will become more familiar with work from Grenada, and put the country on the international literary map.
The directors of GPA and Paul Keens-Douglas opened a large book to symbolise the launching of the organisation. The other directors are Ronald Antoine, Roger Byer and Dr Wendy Crawford-Daniel.
Director Byer, an author of 2 books, expressed his delight that “Grenadians are at last placing their writing and publishing opportunities into their own hands.” He remarked that local writers now have a homegrown organisation that can help inspire and motivate them to tell their own stories. He invited Grenadians who have published to join GPA, which has an annual membership fee of $60.
The members of Grenadian Published Authors Inc., thank everyone for their tremendous support over the years. For information and enquiries, please email [email protected].
GPA
Congratulations to all.
Check out these by Jacob Ross, anyone who knows Grenada and Carriacou will walk in the footsteps of the characters.
The Bone readers
Black Rain Falling
Pynter Bender
Now do PROPER MARKETING. You need to build a source for a listing of ALL Grenadian Authors including biographies, titles with ISBN numbers, short descriptions of the works, where they are available and also PROMOTE Grenada literature OUTSIDE of Grenada. The Caribbean is missing from most International libraries .