À vos plumes! - Fondation Dynastie unveils its first cohort
Montreal, October 17, 2024 - Fondation Dynastie is proud to present the first cohort of its À vos plumes! program, a literary microprogram designed as a talent incubator, offering a unique platform to emerging writers eager to share their worldview through their words.
Whether in prose, poetry, or fiction, the program—supported by the Conseil des arts de Montréal—aims to guide emerging authors in developing their first literary project. Five unique voices will explore and rewrite the rules, each with its own vibe, influences, and story to tell.
“Congratulations to the laureates who form the first cohort of this brand-new literary program, the result of our precious partnership with Fondation Dynastie. These five talented emerging voices are about to enrich Montreal’s cultural landscape with their inspiring creativity and unique vision. We can’t wait to see their works bloom!”
— Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director, Conseil des arts de Montréal
LA COHORTE
Svens Telemaque: Social entrepreneur and inspirational youth speaker, he co-founds Art-Selah, a hopeful poetry collective. His book Pen of a Ready Writer Vol. 1 made the buzz in 2014, capturing the attention of CBC and Global News! Svens is working on a memoir tracing his transformative journey and offering lessons in resilience and empowerment to inspire young people in the face of adversity and promote positive change.
Éric Lafalaise: A creative writer with outstanding talent, Éric shines in screenwriting for film and television. Initially passionate about short stories and comic book scripts, he knows how to captivate and transport readers into fascinating worlds! His literary project reflects on memories from a trip to Haiti just before the 2010 earthquake, capturing moments of political discussions and everyday life while questioning the profound impact of the tragedy on collective memory.
Naïma Francisque: A Montreal native of Haitian descent, Naïma blends alternative R&B with pop and an indefinable touch. She’s making waves on Quebec’s music scene and is hailed as one of the rising stars of the new R&B wave! Through this program, she ventures into literature to merge poetry and music, exploring her identity as a Haitian-Quebecer woman.
Rachel Chin: A dynamic filmmaker, writer, and researcher, Rachel hails from Kingston, Jamaica. With a unique perspective, she explores contemporary life stories, captivating audiences with her engaging style and boundless creativity! During the program, she aims to begin writing a collection of short stories that delve into the contradictions of modern life through narratives set in major cities.
Antoine-Samuel Mauffette Alavo: A cultural commentator and music journalist, Antoine-Samuel is an expert in intercultural issues. Whether on TV, radio, or the web, he brings his contagious passion for music to every panel! His project examines the intersections between rap and linguistic issues in Quebec, offering an in-depth analysis of cultural identity and marginalized Afro-descendant voices.
“I am particularly proud to see this new cohort launch into À vos plumes! This program, designed with the support of dedicated professionals, guides these literary talents step by step, fostering projects that reflect the diversity of Quebec's voices. The themes they explore—just as varied as they are universal—highlight the richness of perspectives and stories these authors carry, resonating far beyond. It’s this plurality of voices, in my view, that will shape not only our cultural landscape but also conversations here and elsewhere.”
- Tracy Paulotte, Head of Programs and Distribution
Over several weeks, the cohort will participate in workshops led by seasoned mentors and instructors, creative sessions, and discussions where freedom of expression is at the core of every exchange.
Discover our modules and trainers.
MODULES
Module 1 - Developing literary skills
Module 2 - Creating and designing covers and illustrations
Module 3 - Publishing and distribution
Module 4 - Intellectual property
Module 5 - Cultural entrepreneurship (several special guests from the field will join the cohort and share their own journeys with them).
At the end of the program, the five authors will present excerpts from their works at a public reading in a renowned literary venue.
INSTRUCTORS
Émeline Pierre: Originally from Guadeloupe, with Haitian and Dominican roots, Émeline is an essential voice. A PhD candidate at the Université de Montréal, she explores the complexities of Caribbean female identity in her powerful 2008 essay. She is the program’s lead instructor.
Content: Literary Creation
Niti Marcelle Mueth: Multidisciplinary artist who brilliantly fuses art and design. Based in Montreal, she focuses on the stories of PANDC communities and uses various media to create works that celebrate diversity and inclusion, touching hearts and minds.
Content: Creation and design
Bleess Lagardère and Johnathan Alex Alexandre: Creators of Maison Seenopsis, they combine minimalist content marketing with clean design. Their bold, innovative approach redefines brand identity, captivating audiences with compelling narratives and unique experiences that stand out with style.
Content: Branding and brand positioning
Madioula Kébé-Kamara: A committed publisher and founder of Diverses Syllabes, she is a passionate advocate of minority voices. With a master's degree in literary studies underway at UQAM, she works to enrich the literary and cultural landscape with unique and varied perspectives.
Contents: Literary publishing and distribution
Josias Semujanga: A distinguished professor at the Université de Montréal, Josias specializes in Francophone literature from Africa and the Caribbean. With an impressive academic background, he contributes his expertise to understanding the social and literary challenges of these regions.
Content: Literary Skill Developmen
Marie-Cécile Agnant: Author of poems, novels and short stories, she is the cohort's mentor.
About
À vos plumes! is a reflection on the impact that literature can have on our society. Through this program, Fondation Dynastie aims to offer personalized support to emerging authors, enabling them to bring their writing and publishing projects to fruition. It's a springboard for those with a thirst for storytelling, imagination and making their voices heard.