MISSION

The invisibility of writers of color is in fact a willed blindness. But we exist. We’re already at the pulsing center of what’s vital in culture, the arts, and history. We’re already circulating through literature, and the greater imagination. Insistent and steady. Inevitable. Let’s celebrate the world made brighter by Lit In Color.

HISTORY

Kaya Press, Tia Chucha Press, and Writ Large Press, three LA-based publishers that have for years been putting out outstanding works diverse authors, are now working together to bring attention to vital voices of color and social engagement in literature. We are proud to announce the launch of #LitinColor. Special thanks to the example and inspiration provided by#WeNeedDiverseBooks, #BlackLivesMatter, and #BlackPoetsSpeakOut, as well as the mix of cross-pollinating, non-hierarchical cultural and literary influences to be found throughout Southern California.

Lit in Color at AWP 2015, April 8 – 11 at the Minneapolis Convention Center

Come to the Lit in Color Booth (1711) to hear readings by authors, editors, and other AWP-goers from the work of their favorite writers of color, featuring: Jason McCall, Ching-In Chen, Cathy Linh Che, Dena Rash Guzman, Matthew Salessess, Edan Lepucki, Sejal Shah, Christopher Santiago, Jeffrey Lependorf, Brandon Som, Douglas Kearny, Fran DeMusz, Amelia Gray, Tina Bartolme, Erika Wurth, MG Roberts, Vickie Vertiz, and more. We’ll also have book launches/receptions for Wendy C. Ortiz (Hollywood Notebook, Writ Large Press), Deborah Miranda (Raised by Humans, Tia Chucha Press), Nicholas Wong (Crevasse, Kaya Press), Samantha Chanse (Lydia’s Funeral Video, Kaya Press), Amarnath Ravva (American Canyon, Kaya Press) — along with mini-workshops and readings by Nicky Schildkraut, Ed Lin, Linda Rodriguez, and The Great Indian Poetry Collective. Plus, we’ll send your Lit in Color postcard celebrating your favorite Writer of Color out into the world. Also, Lit in Color photo-ops and daily closing parties featuring music and mayhem.

Lit in Color at the LA Times Festival of Books 2015, April 17 and 18 at the University of Southern California

Come to the Smokin’ Hot Indie Lit Lounge at the LA Times Festival of Books (Booth 380, near the Poetry Stage) to make your own Lit in Color handmade book featuring your own writing and that of writers of color. We’ll send your Lit in Color postcard celebrating your favorite Writer of Color out into the world. Plus, two full days of programming co-presented with Prospect Park Books and University of Southern California Department of English and PhD in Creative Writing and Literature. Our programming will feature mini-workshops and discussions with Nicky Schildkraut and Yumi Sakugawa, Viet Nguyen and Amarnath Ravva, Naomi Hirahara and Michal Lemberger, as well as readings curated by Jen Hofer, Kaya Students for Independent Publishing, The Loudest Voice, and Tia Chucha.