The Book Industry Association of Jamaica (BIAJ) is announcing the winners  in the Eleventh Biennial Publishing and Writing Awards at the Courtleigh Auditorium on Thursday, March 24 at 6:30pm.

The BIAJ is also hosting a reading by local authors on Saturday, March 26 at the Spanish Court Hotel.

Authors, The Hon. Edward Seaga and Diana McCaulay, will headline the event from noon to 6pm. Selected entrants will read from works in the Best Adult Non Fiction, Best Creative Writing and Best Children’s Book categories.

The programme will feature a workshop on children’s book illustration, led by award-winning American illustrator, Aaron Boyd. Books entered in this year’s competition will be on display and local authors, publishers and booksellers will exhibit and sell books.

For more information, contact the BIAJ at bookindustryja@gmail.com

Schedule of Readers

12:00 – 2:00pm: Public Workshop on Children’s Book Illustration

Led by award-winning illustrator, Aaron Boyd

Kids activities: face painting, arts and crafts

2:00 -3:00pm: Children’s Readings

Jana Bent, Shaggy Parrot and the Reggae Band

Hazel Campbell, Bernie and the Captain’s Ghost

Kellie Magnus, Little Lion Goes for Gold

Colleen Dennis, Inner-City Girl

3:00 – 4:00pm: Best Selling Books

Diana McCaulay, Dog-Heart

Phillippa Sauterel (Saffron), So Much Things to Say

Edward Seaga: My Life and Leadership

Volume 1: Clash of Ideologies (1930-1980)

4:00 – 5:00pm: Adult Creative Writing

Tracey Tucker, The Day I Met Me

Lilieth Nelson, Angels of Reflection: Poems by Lil

Blossom O’Meally Nelson, Heart-Song

Jean Lowrie Chin, Souldance: Poems and Writings

5:00 – 6:00pm: Adult Non-Fiction

Jennifer Mamby Alexander, If Love’s So Nice

Karen Findlay, In the Light of the Sun

Robert Lalah, Roving with Lalah

Edward Baugh, Frank Collymore: A Biography