Features
Newsday Reporter
AUTHORS across the Caribbean diaspora now have access to a new platform for writing development – the Bocas Lit Fest’s Bocas Academy.
In a press release on August 21, the Bocas Lit Fest stated: “With a dynamic, multi-level curriculum of writing workshops and master classes, the Bocas Academy brings together over a decade of experience in writer development and is designed to nurture literary talent at all levels.”
It continued: “This is a bold new initiative to promote new writers in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region, as well as the wider Caribbean diaspora.”
“The Bocas Academy offers resources for writers of all levels, from beginners finding their voice to experienced writers honing their craft – integrated into one cohesive platform at academy.bocaslitfest.com.”
The sessions are divided into two “semesters” per year and combine online sessions with face-to-face training.
“Writer development – which includes finding new literary talent and helping aspiring writers improve their craft – is at the heart of our mission at Bocas Lit Fest,” says Nicholas Laughlin, festival and programming director.
“Since 2011, we have offered dozens of workshops and seminars for writers of all ages and experience levels, covering a variety of genres and led by renowned authors and other specialists. So the purpose of Bocas Academy is not to stand out from the crowd,” Laughlin said.
“What’s new is that we’re bringing these writer development opportunities together under a new roof and a new name, with an integrated curriculum of workshops and masterclasses, as well as special opportunities for participants to share their work in progress and be part of a Bocas Academy community as their writing careers progress.”
The 2024 semester begins in September with “Unlock Your Heart: Creative Non-Fiction,” a two-part workshop led by Ira Mathur, winner of the 2023 OCM Bocas Prize for Nonfiction.
With virtual sessions on September 21 and 28, according to the press release, “this workshop will help participants write powerful and authentic nonfiction stories that address personal experiences and universal themes.”
The registration fee is $450.
Poets can register for the three-part master class “Your Poems Are Powerhouses,” which will take place on October 12, 19, and 26.
Led by acclaimed poet Shivanee Ramlochan, and featuring former Poet Laureate of Jamaica Olive Senior as special guest facilitator, this masterclass focuses on refining poetic expression and is specifically designed for writers who wish to compile their manuscripts for publication and improve their poetry for submission to competitions, fellowships and residencies.
The $900 registration fee includes written feedback on each participant’s work.
For spoken word poets, there will be a two-part in-person workshop on November 22 and 29: Poetry meets Performance, led by experienced stage artists Elisha Efua Bartels and Wendell Manwarren.
The press release states that this session will focus on practical performance skills and techniques and will help participants bring their poems to life on stage with dramatic flair.
The $400 registration fee includes attendance at both sessions.
Jean-Claude Cournand, CEO of Bocas Lit Fest, said: “The opening of the Bocas Academy represents a strategic step forward in the organization of our training programs to support authors more effectively,”
“Not only does it contribute to the self-sustainability of the Bocas Lit Fest, but it also aims to strengthen and expand our support for authors in the Caribbean and the diaspora.”
Cournand said the focus of the Bocas Lit Fest is to “increase the literary influence of the Caribbean so that our region continues to produce outstanding writers who will tell our stories for generations to come. The Bocas Academy will serve as a permanent resource for continued support and growth of Caribbean literature.”
Bocas Academy participants also have access to free resource kits, alumni events and certificates of completion.
For more information and to register, visit www.academy.bocaslitfest.com or email [email protected].
