‘Bashment’ in NY to boost Jamaican books

Next Friday evening, September 22, a Jamaican book bashment of sorts will unfold in New York City.

Under the umbrella of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies, seven Jamaican writers will converge in Manhattan to share their fascinating stories of their literary journeys.

The event is billed as ‘Jamaican Storytellers’, and the magnificent seven are from various genres – fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Their collective tales, infused with the hypnotic rhythms and the astonishing narratives of both urban and rural Jamaican life, promise to rivet what is expected to be a capacity audience of book lovers on Friday.

The cluster of literary talent includes award-winning author Andrene Bonner; Brooklyn-based Pan African poet Burnett Coburn; historical fiction writers Lynda R. Edwards, Dale Mahfood, and Lorel G. Morrison; Maryland-based published poet Faith P. Nelson and Dawn Forrester-Price, educator, award-winning actress, and author of the recently released historical novel Run To Freedom.

All the writers are Jamaica-born but based in far-flung corners across the United States, from Alabama to Texas to Florida to Maryland and New York City. They will all read excerpts of their publications, followed by discussions around relevant aspects of their work. Guests will also have an opportunity to meet and interact with the writers on a one-on-one basis for as much as time allows.

Sharing her perspective on the state of regional writings, one of the participants, Lynda R. Edwards, lamented, “Jamaican and Caribbean fiction authors are an untapped market begging for representation and organisation. We are adrift in the Caribbean Sea waiting to be rescued, and we are ready to show the world how to live in the spirit of ‘One Love’.”

Special guest at Friday’s event is Dr Julius Garvey, son of Jamaica’s national hero Marcus Garvey.

The free AFUWI event takes place from 6-8 p.m. at the Jamaican Consulate, 767 Third Avenue, Second Floor, NY, NY 10017.