Announcing Brampton’s first Writer in Residence, Kevin heronJones

This exciting new initiative is co-presented by Brampton Arts Organization, Brampton Library and the Festival of Literary Diversity

BRAMPTON, ON (February 19, 2025) – Brampton Arts Organization (BAO), Brampton Library, and the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) are delighted to announce Kevin heronJones as the inaugural Brampton Writer in Residence.

This initiative builds on the existing Brampton Artist in Residence program, created by BAO and Brampton Library to unlock new paths for local artists and community members to engage in creative experiences. The program supports writers and encourages exchanges between the chosen author and the community while fostering more exploration of Brampton’s arts, culture and creative industries.
 
Kevin will be in-residence at the Gore Meadows Branch Library from February 25 to April 25, 2025. Throughout the course of the residency, Kevin will be available for one-on-one consultations, lead two workshops, and join in a final celebration, the Writer in Residence Showcase, planned for Friday, April 25, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Gore Meadows.

Kevin will be in-residence at the Gore Meadows Branch Library from February 25 to April 25, 2025. Throughout the course of the residency, Kevin will be available for one-on-one consultations, lead two workshops, and join in a final celebration, the Writer in Residence Showcase, planned for Friday, April 25, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Gore Meadows.

About the Writer in Residence

Kevin heronJones is an author, poet, journalist, editor, actor and lecturer. Through prose or through poetry, novel or short story, he writes and he narrates in the tradition of the ancient African griots who used stories and poetry to educate as well as entertain. A student of journalism and creative writing, he uses his arena to inspire and encourage creativity and a love of literature amongst our young people. Kevin grew up in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto and in Brampton. He has published three novels and three books of poetry. He has also been featured on six spoken word poetry albums and narrates novels and short stories through his Listen Fiction platform. Learn more about Kevin heronJones on his website.

About the Residency

Highlights of this residency include one-on-one consultations with Kevin either virtually or in-person during his regular office hours, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., or on Monday evenings by request. During the consultations, aspiring writers will have the opportunity to discuss the editing process, map out plot and story creation, and review strategies to avoid writer’s block, among other topics of focus.

To book a consultation, residents are asked to email events@bramptonlibrary.ca with up to 10 pages of their adult or young fiction manuscript, what you hope to discuss with Kevin, two preferred dates and times (from which one will be chosen), and whether you hope to meet virtually or in-person.

Save the Dates

We are also pleased to announce two workshops and a final event with Kevin heronJones, all at Gore Meadows Branch Community Centre and Library at 10705 The Gore Road.

The Importance of Revision and Editing Workshop
Date: March 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
How do you know when your book is complete? Kevin will show you how to get there with proper editing techniques which will take you from first draft to completion.

The Business of Writing Workshop
Date: April 10, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Do you want to get your novel, memoir or poetry anthology published? Maybe you’re looking for an agent or perhaps you want to know how to get paid for your work. Kevin will answer questions like this in this workshop.

Writer in Residence Showcase
Date: April 25, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Author interview and Q&A period with the community. All Brampton residents are welcome to attend and participate.

Links

Visit Brampton Library’s website for full details and registration links. 

Photographs of Kevin heronJones and the Gore Meadows Branch Library can be found here.

Brampton Library looks forward to working together with two of our longstanding partners, the Brampton Arts Organization and the Festival of Literary Diversity, to launch our new initiative, the Brampton Writer in Residence program. Congratulations to Kevin heronJones on being named our first Writer in Residence. Kevin will foster new connections with aspiring writers among all community members, through one-on-one writing consultations, essential programs, and the final event on April 25th. I encourage everyone to visit Gore Meadows Branch Library to experience the literary talent Brampton has to offer.

Todd Kyle, Chief Executive Officer, Brampton Library

We are thrilled to congratulate Kevin heronJones as our first-ever Writer in Residence! The Brampton Writer in Residence Program is a celebration of our city’s literary talent and a testament to the power of local storytelling. This initiative builds on the success of our ongoing Artist in Residence Program with the Brampton Library and further highlights the voices shaping Brampton’s creative landscape. BAO is proud to champion groundbreaking programs that inspire creativity, foster connections, and elevate our vibrant literary community.

Michael Vickers, Executive Director, Brampton Arts Organization

Having a Writer-In-Residence is such an exciting moment for the City of Brampton. We have great authors and emerging voices in this city. Kevin’s work in this role will no doubt enhance our rich, literary culture.

Jael Richardson, Executive Director – The FOLD Foundation

To be named the very first Brampton Writer in Residence is one of the greatest honours of my literary career. In my late teen years, I had joined a writing and reading group in Brampton with other lovers of literature who were willing to share and give feedback on our short stories and poetry. This experience was invaluable to me as an emerging artist. It gave me confidence, and I used their constructive criticism to help refine my craft. While in the role of Brampton Writer in Residence, I hope to carry on that inspiration and guidance to the promising talent within this city. This is a great privilege, and I am incredibly excited!

Kevin heronJones, Local Writer; Brampton Writer in Residence

About the Brampton Arts Organization 

The Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) is a registered non-profit that champions Brampton’s diverse arts, culture and creative industries and advocates for the #BramptonArtist. We work to build a thriving, confident, valued, and empowered creative scene by offering a range of programs, services and resources. In this, BAO is a key partner in fulfilling the City of Brampton’s strategic vision and Culture Master Plan. Learn more at bramptonartsorg.ca and connect with us at Instagram, Facebook, X(formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.

About Brampton Library

In its eight modern branches and online, Brampton Library is building an inclusive community by inspiring learning, literacy, and social cohesion. Apply online for a Brampton Library card, free to all residents in Ontario. Register for in-person and virtual programs for all ages and interests through the calendar of events and subscribe to our email updates. Follow us on social media and download our Brampton Library mobile app on iOS and Google Play. Learn more at bramptonlibrary.ca.

About The FOLD Foundation | thefoldcanada.org

The FOLD Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that celebrates underrepresented and marginalised authors and storytellers from Canada and around the world through two annual festivals–the Festival of Literary Diversity each May, and the FOLD Kids Book Fest in November–as well as through a number of literary programming initiatives held throughout the year.

Media inquiries, please contact:

Gardenia Flores, Marketing & Communications Lead
gardenia@bramptonartsorg.ca