This was not my first book launch. Why then am I writing about it?

As I get older, and more steeped in my practice, I realise the importance of being present for that which we want more of in our lives. Our presence at events or occasions is itself a way of holding space, of honouring the work of others, and supporting the ideas and energy so that they may flow with greater ease.

On Saturday (15th March) my partner and I attended the launch of the anthology, Unstitching Silence: Fiction and Poetry by Caribbean Writers on Gender-Based Violence, which was held along with the launch of three other Peekash Press titles. We were invited by my friend Neala Luna whose poems can be found in the anthology, who has founded Write Club of which I have been a part of, who is an editor by day and a poet by night according to her Instagram.

We arrived early for the launch - we are from South Trinidad and the launch was held at The Writers Centre in Port-of-Spain - it is well-known that south people will arrive on time, or early, for things held in town. After checking out Paper Based (T&T’s only independent bookshop dedicated entirely to Caribbean books and authors and housed on the compound of The Writers Centre) we ordered snacks at the Sleepy Cat Café (also located on the premises) and found good seats for the next few hours.

The Writers Centre, Paper Based Bookshop (I bought Unstitching Silence and found my brother's book!), and snacks from Sleepy Cat Café

The first half of the event was dedicated to the launch of three chapbooks of poetry and prose by Amílcar Peter Sanatan, June Aming, and Rajiv Ramkhalawan. We were treated to readings from each chapbook which allowed us to hear the poetry and stories in the voices of their writers. An observation that my partner made was that listening to the readings allows us to hear the emphasis as intended by the authors/poets. It made us reflect that perhaps this is why some enjoy different types of reading compared to others. What do we hear when we read? What do we understand? What do we enjoy?

L-R: Nicholas Laughlin, Amílcar Peter Sanatan, June Aming, and Rajiv Ramkhalawan

After a short break the second half of the event commenced, the launch of Unstitching Silence - it evoked so many feelings. This post by The University of Leicester (posted on 10th February 2025) gives a bit of context into the projects leading into the development of this anthology. Gender-based violence is something that is so prevalent, present across all ages, countries and communities. I think we all have our experiences and this kind of project, this anthology, helps to bring things to life, to make one realise that we all have or have had similar experiences and that we can move forward together.

We heard readings from T&T contributors Kevin Jared Hosein, Caroline Mackenzie, and Neala Luna, and from the anthology's editors Shivanee N. Ramlochan and Lucy Evans (via a prerecorded message). They were very hard to hear, and the book has been just as hard to read (I have started it already - I suspect I’ll be reading bit by bit, slowly).

L-R: Kevin Jared Hosein, Neala Luna Bhagwansingh, Shivanee N. Ramlochan, & Caroline MacKenzie

As Neala shared in her post following the launch, “We share these stories because it is an opportunity for us to better understand ourselves, someone else, to confront our own violence, to be better and do better, and to heal in community.”

These are the kinds of events that need to happen for community, in community, with community. Thankful that we were able to attend and to hold space for the changes that will come as more people share their stories.

Peace,