Latoya Belfon all the time had a ardour for storytelling. As a young person, she would write tirelessly, however by no means shared her work with the world.
“It was write, write, write, then put it on the shelf for 20 years,” she stated, reflecting on the time she spent quietly creating her craft. Regardless of the love she had for writing, concern and self-doubt saved her from publishing her tales for almost twenty years.
Belfon is certainly one of Quebec’s “Changemakers”.
Nonetheless, every thing modified after Belfon began a household. Immediately, the dream of changing into an writer not felt like an summary want—it grew to become an pressing objective. She thought, “What am I going to inform my son? How can I encourage him to observe his desires if I’m not doing the identical?” With this newfound sense of goal, Belfon determined to take motion. Inside simply three days, she immersed herself in every thing publishing-related, and by the top of the week, her first e book was revealed on the age of 36.
From that time on, there was no turning again. In simply 4 years, Belfon revealed 15 books and have become a best-selling writer. Her books, largely youngsters’s tales, cowl subjects like heritage, tradition, and self-love, resonating deeply with younger readers—particularly these from immigrant and Black communities. One among her best-selling works, Grandma’s Palms, explores the themes of ancestry and belonging, giving youngsters a way of delight of their cultural heritage.
Belfon’s dedication to representing range in literature additionally extends to her function as a instructor on the English Montreal College Board (EMSB). Impressed by her college students’ struggles with being made enjoyable of for his or her accents, she wrote Izzy’s New Life: The Approach I Speak, which empowers youngsters to embrace their tradition and id. “The sooner the higher to get entry to this content material,” she says, emphasizing the significance of numerous tales in early schooling.
Along with writing, Belfon oversees each facet of her work, from illustrations to publishing, and has constructed companies to assist different aspiring authors. She runs Labworks Publishing and Empowered Ladies in Lit, the place she organizes workshops and digital summits. Belfon’s message to new writers is evident: “It’s actually about understanding the affect you can have … and placing time to it.”
Her newest venture is a Caribbean-based sci-fi story, exhibiting that range in literature doesn’t should be about race—it’s about bringing recent views to all kinds of narratives. Belfon’s drive and dedication proceed to encourage these round her. “Nothing slows her down—not even a being pregnant,” stated her pal Gemma Raeburn-Baynes. By means of time administration and a relentless work ethic, Belfon continues to make her mark on the literary world, all whereas reminding aspiring authors that it’s by no means too late to observe their desires.
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