Authors Access Interview

On November 5th, 2009 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke
with Toronto-based educator and print, radio, and TV journalist Donna
Kakonge about how any writer can successfully refocus their work into
the freelance journalism marketplace.
 

How to Turn Your Writing Career into Journalism

I’ve been interviewed with Authors Access – where authors get published and published authors become successful. To listen to the show, visit:

http://authorsaccess.com/archives/163

Katie and Marc

Katie bumped into her boss as she was leaving the Radio Canada International building in Montreal.

The Wonderful Things About the Toronto Public Library

I have discovered the glories of the Toronto Public Library thanks to my sister.

Devamrita Swami presents at Urban Edge Yoga

The newest non-profit Yoga Studio on the block promises
a unique Yoga experience with music, food and great company!

Toronto, ON – Urban Edge Yoga, a unique Yoga Lifestyle Centre, has opened its doors to the budding yoga community in Toronto. A grand opening event is planned on November 10 to launch its annual Yoga Lifestyle festival, InSpirit, featuring Devamrita Swami – A Monk of 40 years, Yale graduate and author of several books.

Airport Flirt – Excerpt from Do Not Know

Do Not Know is One of Donna Kakonge's 31 books - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

It took an old man to touch my young breast to wake me up. I did not hear him come up to me as I sat in a plastic waiting chair because my Walkman blasted “Keep on Moving” from my Soul II Soul CD. I was in concourse E of Miami’s airport, waiting for my flight to Barbados. I was coming from Montreal in the February winter wonderland and did not know how to dress. I wore a beige cotton knit ensemble with my black winter jacket curled over my arm. I was also wearing the burgundy slightly padded bra I got for Christmas from my sister. The old man had touched more foam than flesh.

Wife Abuse (Excerpt from School Works and Other Essays)

Donna Kakonge Writes About Wife Abuse in School Works and Other Essays - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

Wife Abuses: Past, Present and Future

Any crime that happens in the home is easy to conceal from the outside world. Wife abuse is a dilemma surveyed in conservative numbers. It a more common crime in the home than society is willing to admit. But, what is wife abuse? Why does wife abuse exist? Will wife abuse exist in the future? What would it take to stop wife abuse? The answers to the above questions will be explored with a focus on a prediction of wife abuse’s future. The prediction is that there will be an increase in reported cases in 2001. (This was originally written in 1991).

Excerpt from Digital Journals and Numerology

Digital Journals and Numerology is One of Donna Kakonge's 31 books - Photo Courtesy of Dreamstime.com

Introduction

This book is meant to emphasize how powerful keeping a journal can be with the aid of numerology. I started writing one at the age of seven and keeping a journal has been a constant for me – more than some friends, some jobs and some family members. I used to get a thrill selecting my journals to write in. Now I have decided to try something new by using the computer that I already spend so much time on and money on to show how powerful keeping any journal…even a digital journal can be. Using the principles of numerology can also help in chronicling your life.

To buy this book, please visit http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Excerpt from How to Write Creative Non-fiction

Donna Kakonge Includes an Excerpt from How to Write Creative Non-fiction - Photo Courtesy of Dreamstime.com

Chapter One Forms of Non-fiction Writing

Welcome to your first chapter! As you go through each chapter you will be asked to complete optional assignments.

Excerpt from Spiderwoman

Donna Kakonge Wrote a Collection of Short Stories Called Spiderwoman - Photo Courtesy of Dreamstime.com

This is an excerpt from Donna Kakonge’s book Spiderwoman. It can be bought at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

New! Dropouts Published

Donna Kakonge Just Published the Book Dropouts on Sale Now - Photo Courtesy of Dreamtimes.com

Fiction and journalism stories about the mind is hot off the presses. You can buy for today only with a 14.92 per cent discount at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. Just enter the code PINTA. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Five child authors who have stayed successful

Rachel Muenz Writes About Child Authors - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

It’s a common story: An author gets published at a very young age. For a few weeks, she is the centre of media attention, people rave about her talent, her book may sell well, but then she vanishes from the literary world, never to be heard of again.

Want the best Canadian writing? Read short fiction

Rachel Muenz Writes About the Canadian Giller Prize - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

A couple of weeks ago, British Giller judge Victoria Glendinning bashed Canadian writing in the Financial Times of London. She said our stuff is too homogenous and that it’s easy to get grants and be published if you’re Canadian, no matter how bad your writing is.

Canadian content making its mark on U.S. media

Rachel Muenz Writes About the Impact Canada Has on the U.S.

By Rachel Muenz

There’s been a lot of talk lately about how many Canadian TV shows have been picked up by U.S. networks this fall. But while U.S. TV has the most Canadian content, Canadians are having a decent impact on other areas of U.S. pop culture as well.

The Best of Donna Magazine Published

The best from this online magazine is now packaged in hardcover, paperback and ebook format so you can take it with you anywhere. On the bus, in a canoe, wherever and whenever. Check it out at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Top 5 children’s books that are still fun to read as an adult

Rachel Muenz Makes Children's Book Selections For Adults - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

Often, people read books as children that they think are the best things ever only to be disappointed when they return to them as adults. But there some children’s books that, whether you re-read them or explore them for the first time as an adult, are still great adventures.

Here, in my opinion, are the best kids’ books anyone of any age can enjoy:

Canada stuck-up about its writing, but not too much

Rachel Muenz Writes About the Giller Prize - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

By Rachel Muenz

Canada has often been criticized for being too snobby about its writing.

William Deverell recently wrote in the National Post that in Canada “there is a push to reward insipid stuff that will never sell” and Canadian publishing is suffering because of this.

I partly agree.

The Writer’s Life Writer’s Book List

Wally Bock Has His on Website on Writing Tips - Photo Courtesy of Wally Bock's Website

@ Copyright 2003, Wally Bock

Here are some books about writing that I really like. They are offered subject to the following qualification.

Over the years I’ve read a ton of books about writing. What I have not done is make a comprehensive survey of the literature on writing. I’ve read what looked interesting to me.

Dropouts (Excerpt From Soon to Be Published Book)

The Publisher Writes About Some of Her Days at the CBC - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

When I first started working in radio I had a lot of dropouts

Poor reception of radio quality on the reel-to-reel

I would bike down to the CBC building on Front Street with my red Yakota bike

That bike was “stoked”

The saddest thing was a light being stolen

Why can people be so mean?

The Best of Donna Magazine to be Published Soon

There are now more than 400 posts on Donna Magazine. Updated from Journalism Stories Collection, The Best of Donna Magazine will incorporate the publisher’s personal favourites from this online magazine in a hardcover, paperback and ebook format that you can take with you anywhere such as any magazine you would  find off the racks. Look out for it coming soon to be sold at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Get 20 Per Cent Off My Books

Old Cover Design for My Roxanne

You can get 20 per cent off my books this Labour Day weekend only. Please enter the code “WHITE” when you checkout. Choose from a variety of books, a CD and two audio downloads in hardcover, paperback and ebook format.  The online store is at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Example of a Demotape

This is an old demotape that I used to use after I graduated from Carleton University. My book Radio and Television Announcing covers more information about broadcast work. Journalism Stories Collection will introduce you to more published work. You can buy it at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

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Grad School Public Affairs Class

Here is a recording of a public affairs class I took while doing my grad studies at Concordia University. The main important information is at the beginning.  For more stories by Donna Kakonge, visit her online store at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged:

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Afro Forever: Research Paper on Salon Utopia for the M.A. in Media Studies at Concordia University

Cover Art for What Happened to the Afro? - Photo Courtesy of Dreamstime.com

Donna Kay Cindy Kakonge

Advisor: Dr. Martin Allor

Committee member: Dr. Kim Sawchuk

Outside Examiner: Dr. Lorna Roth

August 12, 1999

Afro Forever

Two New Books Published

Donna Kakonge Has Two New Books Published - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

The first book is My Mind Book which features an example of creating a book that will be inspiring and bring the things you want into your life. It is based on the law of attraction, as well as inspired by Mind Movies that were sent to me.

The second book is called Stories in Red and Yellow: Digging Up Work Done in Yesteryear. This is a literary collection of non-fiction and fiction work.

Both can be bought, as well as other books at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

The Politics of Hair (Proposal to Ryerson University)

Everybody Does Something to Change Their Appearance for Advancement - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

The politics of black hair shows in books like Tenderheaded to the Princess of Wales plays ‘Da Kink in My Hair and Hairspray to movies like Beauty Shop to songs played on Flow 93.5.

Reading Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell is the Author of The Outliers - Photo Courtesy of Chapters.ca

I find I have been enjoying everything that Malcolm Gladwell writes. So far, I have read The Outliers, recommended to me by a former boss of mine. I have also read Blink and as I write this I’m listening to an audio ebook of The Tipping Point.

The information I have gained from Gladwell’s books has been phenomenal. His message of practice leads to perfect success in The Outliers is something that could inspire anyone. He backs up his arguments with terrific examples and it is these examples that is the key to his gift in storytelling and educating.

Whether you buy the books, whether you check the books out of the library as I have – read Malcolm Gladwell. I doubt you will be disappointed.

Random Bibliography of Media Books and Internet Resources – Offerered as a Free Download

Cover Art for Random Bibliography of Media Books and Internet Resources

I have a new book out called Random Bibliography of Media Books and Internet Resources. It is meant as a study aid for students of media and a refresher for professionals of media. You can buy the paperback or download it for FREE at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

What Happened to the Afro?

My hair obsession that has turned into a hair acceptance also turned into a book called What Happened to the Afro? Here is some video taken in Uganda in 1996 or 1997 of a braiding session going on in Kampala. You can buy the book at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.:

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BELOVED

Book Review of Toni Morrison's Award-Winning Book Beloved

Terry Otten suggests that while Sethe and the other slaves “might be considered simply victims in slavery, once they move towards freedom north of the Ohio River … they assume responsibility for their own ‘criminal’ act and become `victims’ of their own flawed humanity as much as the viciousness of whites.” In this essay, the validity of this statement will be tested against Beloved. References from the novel will show how Terry Otten is incorrect.

The Color Complex: The Politics of Skin Color Among African Americans

The Color Complex is a Book that Discovers Some Blacks Obsession with Colour - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert

Too many blackfolks are fools about color and hair.
-Mabel Lincloln, interviewee in Drylongso: A Self-Portrait of Black America, by John Langston Gwaltney (1)

The Color Complex mentions the references made to skin colour in Spike Lee’s movies such as School Daze and Jungle Fever. Is hair one of the factors that lures many Black men like Flipper (Wesley Snipes) in Jungle Fever to white women? Why is it that it seems like the more successful a black man is he will have a white woman as his wife or girlfriend? Do black men have more a complex about colour and hair than black women do? Is this evidenced in the fact that fewer black women marry outside of the race and MAY feel more comfortable marrying and dating men darker than they are?

Book review of Cane by Jean Toomer

Jean Toomer is the Author of Cane

I came across this book for three dollars at a Lebanese restaurant in the McGill ghetto of Montreal. It was worth every penny, and proves that you can find good books for affordable prices.

Stories in Red and Yellow to be Published This Week

Potential Cover Art for Stories in Red and Yellow - Photo Courtesy of Stockexpert.com

I am currently working on a collection of stories that have been dug up from past work called Stories in Red and Yellow. It should be published this week. Look out for it! It’s going to be as fantastic as red and yellow. Look for the stories for free viewing on this website.  For my books, CD and audio stories, you can purchase them at:  http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. For the month of August there is a 10 per cent discount and the code to enter upon checkout is: README.

Diaspora Dialogues

	Friday, July 24, 2009 Unsubscribe | Printable Version | Send this to a friend
	In this issue: Malvern’s triple sensations: Young writers celebrate their fiction, poetry and graphic novel writing

Creating Things: Profile of Roger McTair (Originally Published on Impowerage.com)

Roger McTair Creates Magic - Photo Courtesy of Seneca College's Website

Roger McTair is a director, poet, professor and writer who lives in Toronto, Canada. He has had short stories air on CBC Radio and BBC Radio.

He was born in Trinidad and Tobago on October 7, 1943. Not having much to do while growing up galvanized his love of creating things.

Hypocrisy and the Lies of Time: An Angelic Dilemma

Hypocrisy is Highlighted in this Essay by Co-Authored by Brikena Ribaj - Photo Courtesy of Morguefile.com

By Brikena Ribaj & Scott Bradford

Hypocrisy and the Lies of Time:
An Angelic Dilemma
Hypocrisy of Time
He is ageless, the hunter
With neither beginning nor end
Changeless, yet the father of all change.
His gaze is eternal
Without preference or guile
He loves, yet loathes all.
And…thus…Cassiel…falls…

Excerpt from Spiderwoman

This is the Cover Art for the Book Spiderwoman - Photo From Dreamstime.com

Spiderwoman is the third book that I officially published, actually the fourth if you include the short story I did for Headlight Anthology. This book was a long process that started with stories I did in a Carleton University creative writing class with Tom Henighan. You can buy the book at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

It’s A Great Deal

This is the Cover Art for the Book The Write Heart - Photo From Dreamstime.com

Can you imagine that I am offering free life coaching on any of your life’s challenges for the low, low cost of one book sale from you? Yes – this is not a gimmick – it is true.

We can do the life coaching through email if you are long distance, or we could do it over the phone if you are local. We can also use such services as MSN and Yahoo Messenger if you prefer a more instant approach to the life coaching. I look forward to hearing from you. Make your dreams come true!

Books You Can Buy With Free Life Coaching

Cover Art for Story Ideas - Help For Writer's Block by Donna Kakonge - Photo from Dreamstime.com

Donna Kakonge has written 25 books that you can choose from along with FREE  life coaching for your challenges in life. You can contact her at: dkakonge@sympatico.ca to find out more.

Low Flying: Island Wings has promise, but never takes off (Originally Published in the Hour in Montreal)

As many Canadian children were being told fairy tales of mystic lands where houses were made of candy cane and gingerbread, where glass slippers and a mere kiss could turn girls into royalty, the magical tales told to a young Cecil Foster were about joining his parents in the Land of Plenty: “We would sit around the fire with Grandmother enthroned on the big rock, her dress or skirt lapped between our legs, while she told us stories. She taught us about our family history and painted glowing pictures for Stephen, Errol and me about the great life awaiting us, when we joined our parents in England.” This is the story Foster tells in Island Wings: A Memoir.

Excerpt about “Church Sunday” from the Montreal Gazette

Cover Art for the Book Spiderwoman by Donna Kakonge

By Bronwyn Chester

“Church Sunday” is a more resolved story. A young girl in Toronto accompanies her Granny, visiting from St. Vincent, to church and learns what it means to give. The old woman “hated the Methodist church, it made her fall asleep. She said there were too many white people and she couldn’t stand the organ music that was played with more than one mistake.”

School Works Series is Published

Cover Art for School Works – Other Essays

I have taken a selection of my undergraduate and graduate essays and compiled them into three separate books. The first is called School Works. The second is called Yes, School Works and the third is called School Works – Other Essays. They can be bought at the Lulu.com website as a download or print on demand copy. The website for order is: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. Order early and order often. There are many other books there too.

Excerpt from What Happened to the Afro?

What Happened to the Afro?
Afro Forever Research Paper

Intro

Transformation
In Loree’s Beauty Shop
hot combs sizzled
against
wet oily scalps
branding
grown woman fantasies
into tender young
heads.
Thick busy afros
became
long glossy black curls
transforming
natural Black queens
into
commercial mahogany princesses (Boyd, 14).

Morning English Lessons Excerpt

This is an excerpt from the book Morning English Lessons that was published in December, 2008. To check out the book, please go to: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

Eight Must-Have Books for Finances

Attorney Will Chen browsed the web to find eight personal finance books that will come in handy for you:

Books For Sale

Everything from the politics of black hair to short stories to interracial relationships, plus some conversations with psychics and information about the education industry can be yours on my e-store: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. There are even more books available. Check it out, find something you like and buy something today.

Where I Was Just Published

Cover Design for Where I Was

Check out Donna Kakonge’s latest book at her online store that can be found at: www.donnakakonge.com. You can find other books there too.

Morning English Lessons Just Published

Cover Design for Morning English Lessons

Welcome to Morning English Lessons! To help you with your English langauge skills – go to http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged to find out how you can buy it. As well, you can check out the other books offered there. My official website at: www.donnakakonge.com has been updated too.

In My Pocket Just Released

Cover Art for In My Pocket

This book is about how to help yourself during the perilous times we live in.

Reading for Less

At the time I was really young, I used to love buying books. I think in some ways I had more money then. I didn’t pay rent and my food was free. Everything is cheaper when you’re a kid, so for those reading, enjoy it while you can.

Audio Downloads Now Available on e-Store

Church Sunday is just one of the downloads available on my e-store

Donna’s Choice for Book to Read

Photo Courtesy of Amazon.com

Digital Journals and Numerology Just Published

Use numerology to express yourself to yourself

This book is meant to emphasize how powerful keeping a journal can be with the aid of numerology. I started writing one at the age of seven and keeping a journal has been a constant for me – more than some friends, some jobs and some family members. I used to get a thrill selecting my journals to write in. Now I have decided to try something new by using the computer that I already spend so much time on and money on to show how powerful keeping any journal…even a digital journal can be. Using the principles of numerology can also help in chronicling your life. It can be bought at http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

The Education Generation is Published

Discover everything you need to know about the world of education

With lively articles on various topics concerning learning, The Education Generation has just been published by Donna Kakonge. It can be bought at http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. It is a great resource for professors, students and anyone who has an interest in education.

My Story of Transportation

A memoir of transportation

If you love the sound of planes, trains and automobiles…you will love my personal memoir of transportation called My Story of Transportation. It can be bought at http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. Click on the link below.

my-story-of-transportation

Matoke (excerpt from the book Spiderwoman)

You can find the audio version of this story on my e-store

In the early 1980’s, when I was 10 years old, things changed at my school with the arrival of a new vice-principal. At O’Connor Public School in Toronto, Mr. Goldberg set up a close-circuit television studio. The show the students and Mr. Goldberg produced was called OCTV News.

New Book – Journalism Stories Collection

You can buy journalism stories through my e-store

I have come out with a new book of journalism stories I have written over about a span of five years, most since I have been back from Montreal to Toronto. You can buy Journalism Stories Collection at this website: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged. I have eight other books I have written there titled, What Happened to the Afro? How to Write Creative Non-fiction, Spiderwoman, My Roxanne, Being Healthy: Selected Works from the Internet, Do Not Know, My Story of Transportation and eSpirituality Chats. You can buy them all.

What Happened to the Afro?

What Happened to the Afro?

Here is a commentary radio piece that aired with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. To find out more about this topic, you can also visit my website where a book is on this topic at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged.

2008

Happy New Year! I hope everyone who reads this has a smashing year ahead. Also…get ready for cultural new year celebrations too.

Cheers,

Donna

http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged

dkakonge@sympatico.ca

Stay Black or Die

www.addenasumterfreitag.com

Her terrific book, Stay Black or Die has just been accepted by many professors throughout Canada as reading material for courses. It is available through Commodore Books.

Lawrence Hill

Lawrence Hill, Review of Black Berry, Sweet Juice

“The blacker the berry/The sweeter the juice/But if you get too black/It ain’t no use.”

Story Behind MyRoxanne – Donna Kakonge’s First Book

You can buy My Roxanne on my e-store

One of the books I will publish for 2008 was written when I was 17 years old. I spent a lot of my youth reading Danielle Steele, Sweet Valley High books and Stephen King. I also spent a lot of time while I was in English class writing and reading classic literature. MyRoxanne is a culmination of many years of work and expresses some of the dis-ease I felt at that time.

MyRoxanne (excerpt)

Chapter One

Roxanne has always been attracted to white men. There, she admits it. Maybe it came from watching all those movies and television shows when she was younger, where the good-looking men were always white. But, she does remember being fascinated with the show Fame and thinking Leroy was very sexy. And she does think black men are sexy. But, there’s something about them she has never been able to achieve, and that’s love. Life is hard for black men. And life for black women is even harder. She has never been able to find a black man who compared to her father. That’s why she always fell for the white ones.