Nadia's Notables Newsletter
January 2024
In this edition…
Malaika, Carnival Queen of the Pack
The Antiracist Kitchen Gets Cooked
On the Road in 2023
Vote for ByBlacks Peoples’ Choice Awards
What’s Up Next?
From Nadia’s desk
Greetings readers,
Happy 2024! Welcome to a new year and the new format of Nadia’s Notables Newsletter. A few nights ago, I decided to join Substack. I’ve liked it so much so far that I decided to move my e-newsletter here too. Speaking of newsletters, this is the first Nadia’s Notables Newsletter since I’d taken an almost eight month hiatus from my monthly publication. There were two reasons for this. One was because a publishing professional I trusted suggested that I do fewer newsletters. (I’ve changed my mind on that.)
The other reason was that 2023 had become an increasingly eventful year— a family wedding, a move into my new home (I’m a first time homeowner!), the release of two new books and their respective tours, presentations (Check out my February 2023. There’s also a highlight video reel of my 2023 presentations below.),
teaching, and some health stuff, to name a few.
On that note, I’ve felt relatively open about discussing some of these issues. In fact, Blue Butterfly, my first blog (which I started in 2011 and Substack is reminding me of) was about my thyroid cancer healing journey and led me to wish to pursue writing as my career. Thinking (no, hoping) that cancer had been a thing of the past for me, over the past several months, I found myself heading to ultrasound and specialist appointments to examine the swellings of lymph nodes in my neck. Thankfully, a fine needle biopsy revealed that the cells were benign, that is, NO CANCER. A huge relief, no doubt.
Besides routine check ups and physiotherapy appointments to deal with a small tear in my shoulder (I’ve now got a lovely wagon to help me pull my equipment to my presentations), something else became apparent. This is the part where I talk about the topic that still holds a lot of taboos— mental health. Listening to my gut (and my brain), my 30+ years of working with young children (many with special needs), my “dusty old” honours psychology degree, my faith, and self-reflection, I felt led me down Google rabbit holes deep into the night. After months of deliberation, I realized that I needed a professional’s help. I am so glad the physician (who filed in for my doctor) and the psychologist she referred me to listened when I said “I think I have ADHD.” In December, after a barrage of tests, I received the diagnosis to confirm my hunch. When I did receive this news, I laughed and cried. (I will share more about this in a separate post.)
In Canada, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disability. To me, knowing that I have ADHD is definitely a gift and, what I told illustrator friend Joseph Osei Bonsu, “a superpower”.
Illustration by Joseph Osei Bonsu
The last several months have been spent learning about ADHD, before I had my official diagnosis, and trying manage symptoms on my own. One of these ways was through exercise. I headed to the gym in September and have been working out consistently since.
How does this all relate to writing? Everything. It means that I can appreciate the creative gifts of my very long and never ending “books I want to write/story ideas” list and the challenges I’ve faced in finishing novels and picture books that I started several years ago. It also means that I understand my Black and/or female students (and my characters) better like Nikki who you’ll get to meet in my upcoming picture book, Getting Us To Grandma’s House, which is based on a childhood experience. It means coming up with “out of the box” ideas for books that resonate with readers like The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes). It means learning about other creatives I admire who have ADHD, like Solange Knowles, Jim Carey, and even, Simone Biles. It means understanding how my mind works when it comes to editing, deadlines, and getting started.
It means creating a holistic wellness model for my writing practice. I wish to thank author Chelene Knight of Breathing Space Creative in helping me with executive functioning. Before my diagnosis, this was critical. Thank you to my publisher Groundwood Books for investing in their authors by bringing Chelene on board last year.
So I look forward to this Substack which has already given me all of this space to write my longest editor’s note ever, in a way that other platforms can’t (because they have word count limits). I hope this will be an opportunity to build my literary community and share my journey as an author, artivist, and educator. There’s already so much to celebrate from 2023.
I also wish to hold space for those who are suffering and grieving. There’s a lot going on the world right now and let’s face it, it’s difficult. May my journey and this Substack also be a source of hope. Walk good!
Literarily yours,
Nadia L. Hohn
Malaika, Carnival Queen of the Pack
Photo by Joseph Osei Bonsu
Malaika, Carnival Queen was released on May 6, 2023.
Malaika learns about her father, who came to Canada as a migrant farm worker when she was just a baby and who shared her love of carnival.
This was such a personal story for me. Inspired by a dream and family history, I was able to tackle the topic of grief and celebration in this fourth installment in the Malaika series. You can purchase your copy here.
Thanks to Groundwood Books Team, illustrator Irene Luxbacher, and everyone who has been a part of this journey.
The Antiracist Kitchen Gets Cooked
The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes) was released on September 12, 2023.
“What if talking about racism was as easy as baking a cake, frying plantains or cooking rice? The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes) is a celebration of food, family, activism and resistance in the face of racism. In this anthology featuring stories and recipes from 21 diverse and award-winning North American children's authors, the authors share the role of food in their lives and how it has helped fight discrimination, reclaim culture and celebrate people with different backgrounds. They bring personal and sometimes difficult experiences growing up as racialized people. Chopped, seared, marinated and stewed, The Antiracist Kitchen highlights the power of sitting down to share a meal and how that simple act can help bring us all together.” (from publisher’s website)
My newest book has resonated with many of you. From the teachers I presented to at Winchester Public school in Toronto, ON to the teachers I met at the NCTE signing in Columbus, OH in November to the very festive book launch and Telling Tales where attendees sampled dishes from the book, food has connected in so many ways. I am extremely proud and honoured to be trusted with collecting and editing these stories. I am also thankful to Orca Books for believing in my vision for this book and bringing it to fruition. Thank you also to illustrator Roza Nozari and all of the contributors for being a part. I appreciate the reviewers and media professionals that have spotlighted this book.
Please check out and see what people are saying about it. You can purchase your copy today here where you will also find a teacher resource. You can check out my CBC Radio interviews for Toronto here and Winnipeg here.
Video edited by Nadia L. Hohn
On the Road in 2023
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to a book event or presentation. I took part in over 100 book events in 2023. Your support meant so much to me. You can still check out The Antiracist Kitchen virtual Book Launch here. You can also view episodes of Cook N Book and my other interviews on my YouTube channel @nadialhohnauthor.
Vote for ByBlacks Peoples’ Choice Awards 2023
I’ve been nominated for both the Book and Author categories of the ByBlacks Peoples’ Choice Awards. The details are:
Book 2023 Best Book by a Black Canadian Author for 2023
Author 2023 Best Black Canadian author whose book was released in 2023
Please take a moment and vote for me at this link.
Voting ends on January 31, 2023.
What’s Up Next?
Portrait photos by Lawrence Kerr Media
Graphics (other than the last one) designed by Nadia L. Hohn
Articles and Podcasts
“What’s Literacy? Podcast- Nadia L. Hohn,” November 2023
“Finding an Ancestor: Behind the scenes with Malaika, Carnival Queen,” ByBlacks May 2023
“How To Create An Inclusive Literary Festival,” ByBlacks April 2023
“16 Reasons Poetry Is Essential For Black Canadians,” ByBlacks April 2023
“Part 2: Should I Self Publish My Book Or Get An Agent? Advice From Six Black Canadian Authors Who Have Done Both,” ByBlacks March 2023
“Should I Self Publish My Book Or Get An Agent? Advice From Six Black Canadian Authors Who Have Done Both,” ByBlacks March 2023
“Ainara’s Bookshelf is Diversifying What We Read One Book at a Time”, ByBlacks February 2023
Interview on the January 10, 2023 Soul Perspectives, CKUT (McGill University radio).
“Meet Dr. Suzette Mayr: The 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize Winner”, ByBlacks January 2023
“Celebrate Black Canadian Authors This Holiday Season with These 36 Books”, ByBlacks December 2022
“If You Love Black Panther, Then You’ll Love These Books”, ByBlacks November 2022
“The Hairy Truth” and “A Deeper Meaning”, Owl Magazine, November 2022
“Three Black Organizations Working to Get Us Reading,” ByBlacks, October 2022
“Top 10 Summer Reads for Black Canadian Kids,” ByBlacks,
August 2022
Travelling Across Canada’s Underground Railroad, Owl magazine (January/February 2022)
“Kojo’s Holiday”, Chickadee magazine (December 2021).
“How Harriet’s Daughter Helped Me Find My Way as a Black Canadian and a Writer for Young People”, Arc Poetry magazine (Arc 96 Islands of Influence Caribbean Canadian edition) (Fall 2021).
“Writer with a Capital W”, University of Waterloo podcast
“Writer Finds Resilience Stories Black Women and Girls”, University of Waterloo magazine (Spring 2021).
Upcoming books
Patty Dreams (Owlkids), Spring 2025.
Getting Us to Grandma's House (Groundwood Books), Fall 2024.
Published books
The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes) (Orca Books), September 2023.
Malaika, Carnival Queen (Groundwood Books), May 2023.
Kwanzaa section in Celebrate with me! Recipes, Crafts, and Holiday Fun from around the world (Magic Cat Publishing/Abrams Kids), 2022
Contributor to 100+ Voices for Miss Lou: Poetry, Tributes, Interviews, Essays anthology (UWI Press), 2021.
Louise Go A Country in 100+ Voices of Miss Lou: Poetry, Tributes, Interviews, Essays (UWI Press, 2022).
Interview in Contemporary Canadian Picture Books: A Critical Review for Educators, Librarians, Families, Researchers, & Writers by Beverley Brenna, Richard Dionne, and Theresa Tavares (Brill, 2021).
Malaika's Surprise (Groundwood Books), Spring 2021 https://houseofanansi.com/products/malaikas-surprise French version available in 2022 by Éditions Scholastic, Malaika's Surprise Book Trailer
A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett-Coverley Found Her Voice (Owlkids), Aug. 15, 2019
Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter (Harper Collins), 2018
Malaika's Winter Carnival (Groundwood Books), 2017 (available in French and English paperback http://scholastic.ca/editions/livres/view/le-carnaval-de-malaika)
Malaika's Costume (Groundwood Books www.groundwoodbooks.com), 2016 (available in French paperback www.scholastic.ca) 2021 TD Book Giveaway
Music in the Sankofa series (Rubicon Publishing), 2015 www.sankofacollection.com
Media in the Sankofa series (Rubicon Publishing), 2015 www.sankofacollection.com
© Nadia L. Hohn, 2024
Toronto, ON, Canada