TOK Magazine

Join Zalika Reid-Benta as she sits down with award-winning writer Norma Dunning as she talks about her short story collection Annie Muktuk and Other Things

Join Tasha Spillett as she interviews Lara Rae, Emily Muller and Dr. Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair as they take on what people do, how they react and what that means for when taking on challenging topics in the public space.

Join Chigbo Arthur Anyaduba as he interviews Danuta Gleed Literary Award winner Zalika Reid-Benta as she discusses her book Frying Plantain at in November 2019 for our TOK Winnipeg.

Join Karmen Wells (Shelf Made Creative), Catharina de Bakker (Great Plains Publications), and Janie Yoon (Anansi Press), discuss tips on getting your manuscript get the signing it deserves.

Join Derek Mascarenhas, writer of "Coconut Dreams"; and Anar Ali, writer of "Night of Power" as they discuss their newest works, journeys as a writer and so much more. Moderated by Quill & Quire's Shanda Deziel.

In 2018, Molly Ringwald revisited her filmography, saying she felt The Breakfast Club was “troubling” now seen through the prism of the #MeToo era. DD examines how the movement has affected authors’ writing processes – if at all – and whether the current debate has prompted them to appreciate or denounce books, movies and art they loved in the past. With poet, essayist and thinker Gwen Benaway; award-winning poet and writer Téa Mutonji; and best-selling novelist S.K. Ali. Moderated by Aparita Bhandari.

A live on-stage recording with authors Melanie Florence and Joanne Vannicola moderated by Deborah Dundas.

Listen to the recording from our TOK Toronto Symposium on September 21st. This was in collaboration with Word On The Street for our on-stage interview with Zalika Reid-Benta and Becky Blake moderated by Ryan B. Blake.

You’ve spent years writing and revising your manuscript, and have a publishing contract in hand. Congratulations! Or, you’ve decided to take the bull by the horns and enter the world of self-publishing. Either way, now the promotional work begins. Thousands of books are published each year in Canada; making sure yours ends up on bookshelves and in the hands of readers, is your responsibility as much as the publisher’s. Join Sarah Miniaci, Senior Account Executive at Smith Publicity share tips on how to market your book and yourself.

Do you think your work is ready for the screen? Learn about what it takes to successfully pitch your manuscript to a TV Agent and get that on-screen portrayal your work deserves. This podcast features Amy Stulberg from Vanguarde Artists Management and moderated by Helen Walsh.

You’ve written a captivating manuscript? Great, now you have to sell it. Publishing is a business, and convincing a publisher to take a chance on your first or second book can be challenging, especially in an industry that has seen many cutbacks and consolidation. This Q&A podcast provides tips from Léonicka Valcius (Transatlantic Literary Agency), Janice Zawerbny (HarperCollins Canada) and Deborah Sun de la Cruz (Penguin Random House) to help your manuscript avoid the dreaded slush pile.

Ify Chiwetelu from CBC's NOW OR NEVER sits down with Minister Faust. They have a discussion around Faust's Afro-futurist writing and the direction of Canadian literature through a diverse lens.

DD President Helen Walsh interviews Sheena Kamal, two time best selling author. Kamal discusses how the neighbourhoods of Vancouver, BC influenced her writing and characters.

Niigaan Sinclair interviews David A. Robertson about the current and future prospects of Indigenous narratives through literature. Fun fact: both Niigaan and David are cousins!

Minister Faust, David A. Robertson, John Toews, Sheena Kamal, Deborah Sun de la Cruz and Marilyn Biderman take on the discussion of CanLit and taking a look at the fresh new voices taking over the industry.

Join Irene Bindi, Rosemarie Enslin and Ariel Gordon on a panel discussion about Promoting Yourself and Your Book. These women hold decades of experience in publishing or publicity and will provide pointers not only on how to get your manuscript published, but seeking the appropriate media coverage your work deserves.

Join Jamis Paulson, Deborah Sun de la Cruz and Marilyn Biderman as they provide helpful tips for writers to land the right publisher or agent through expert advice and experience.

Idil Mussa interviews Zoraida Córdova, born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, NY. They discuss the importance of diversity in emerging YA literature so young readers can relate to characters that look like them.

Jacqueline Lawrence interviews Massachusetts born and Connecticut raised Tochi Onyebuchi as he opens up about his interest in storytelling and his experience breaking into Young Adult Fiction

Helen Walsh interviews Shyam Selvadurai as he discusses the inspiration behind his work and using fiction as an outlet to articulate his diasporic experience.

Jacqueline Lawrence and Kansas City based, LL McKinney, discuss what it means to be an African-American writer navigating a predominately white industry.

Idil Mussa moderates a panel discussion about representation in Kidlit & Young Adult genres. Zoraida Cordova, Tochi Onyebuchi, LL McKinney, Nadia Hohn, Carolyn Forde and Jen Knoch take on this topic and their insights within the publication scene.

Jules Lewis and Rasiqra Revulva animate inspiration pieces about Toronto neighbourhoods, provided by residents living in them! Moderated by CBC's Nana aba Duncan for Diaspora Dialogues' "Hello Neighbour" presentations at Heliconian Hall on February 23 2019.

Jason Maghanoy and Phoebe Wang animate inspiration pieces about Toronto neighbourhoods, provided by residents living in them! Moderated by CBC's Nana aba Duncan for Diaspora Dialogues' "Hello Neighbour" presentations at Heliconian Hall on February 23 2019.

Ibi Kaslik and Donna-Michelle St Bernard animate inspiration pieces about Toronto neighbourhoods, provided by the Torontonians living in them! Moderated by CBC's Nana aba Duncan for Diaspora Dialogues' "Hello Neighbour" presentations at Heliconian Hall on February 23 2019.

Aparita Bhandari hosts a roundtable with guests Augusto Bitter, Aisha Sasha John, Reema Patel, and Mia Herrera discussing their works, diversity, and inclusion at the launch of TOK Magazine on June 21 2018. Recorded live at Heliconian Hall in Toronto. Very brief use of expletives in the readings!

Author Joyce Wayne in conversation with Helen Walsh, discussing Joyce's new novel Last Night of the World, her exploration of the murky world of espionage surrounding the Gouzenko affair in cold war Ottawa.

Carrianne Leung in conversation with Zalika Reid-Benta, discussing her collection of linked stories That Time I Loved You, and the progression from Diaspora Dialogues mentee to published author.

David Layton in conversation with Laurelle Harris on his novel 'The Dictator'. Recorded live May 7th, 2017 at the Prairie Theatre Exchange in Winnipeg.

Author Catherine Graham discusses the genesis of her novel 'Quarry' with Helen Walsh, and reads excerpts.

B. Denham Jolly talks of his experiences as a person of colour in Canada, and his quest to establish the first black-owned radio station in the country. After its launch in 2001, Flow 93.5 became the model for urban music stations across Canada. Interviewed by Bee Quammie.

What does a journalist do when they become the story they are reporting? Join us for our inaugral TOK Talks. With Mohamed Fahmy and APTN's Dennis Ward, moderated by CBC's Bartley Kives.