CSimon Publishing: The Publishing House that Marks a New Era for Haitian Literature
Haïti is a true powerhouse in today’s literary world. For centuries, the country has been endowed with remarkable intellectual wealth that has led to exceptional achievements. Today, with more than 20 major active writers, whose works resonate far beyond Haitian borders, Haïti is one of the countries with the highest number of writers per capita. Among these writers, we can mention Edwige Danticat, Pulitzer Prize winner; Louis-Philippe d’Alambert, Goncourt Prize for Poetry in 2024; René Depestre, Goncourt Prize for Novels in 1982; Dany Laferrière, Renaudot Prize winner and member of the French Academy; Lyonel Trouillot and Frankétienne, globally known for their works; not to forget the current star of Haitian literature, finalist of the 2022 Goncourt Prize with his masterpiece Une somme humaine, referring to Makenzy Orcel. These names stand alongside legendary figures such as Jacques Roumain, Anténor Firmin, Jacques Stéphen Alexis, and Oswald Durant, forming significant marks on world culture through their writings. Today, this literary tradition continues to nourish new talents, but one problem persists: the absence of serious and well-structured Haitian publishing houses in sufficient quantity to support these young authors.
HaïtiLiterature, a Factor of Life
In a country in perpetual upheaval like Haiti, literature is not just a form of expression; it is a way of resisting, witnessing, and sharing realities that are often ignored. When a country suffers as much, people reflect more and feel the urge to share their thoughts with the public. It is in this context that publishing houses like CSimon Publishing play a crucial role. CSimon Publishing is a Haitian publishing house based in the United States, dedicated to publishing quality literary works. It strives to fill a critical gap for young Haitian authors, particularly those from the diaspora, by offering them a platform where their voices can be heard and their stories shared.
Haitian Literature, a Tool for Emancipation
Haitian literature is more alive than ever, and young Haitian writers, in particular, see these great names cited above as models to follow. However, even though the desire to create and share their art is omnipresent, many young people who have the desire to become writers and live in Haïti struggle to find a publishing house capable of meeting their expectations. The situation in Haïti is particularly complex, with few quality options to publish a work in professional conditions, even for already confirmed authors. This difficulty is also reflected in the Haitian diaspora, where many talented authors, eager to make their works known, often find themselves unable to bring their literary projects to life.
With CSimon Publishing, Haitian writers now have a reliable avenue to assert their talents and express themselves freely. CSimon aims to create new literary voices and provides the necessary means to achieve this. Many young poets and novelists have already found in this publishing house a suitable space to publish their works. They publish captivating novels, moving poems, and deep stories that can inspire lives. According to available data, CSimon has already published over 150 works.
The mission of CSimon Publishing is clear, according to its leaders: to offer Haitian writers (from Haïti or the diaspora) a high-quality platform where their literary creations can come to life in professional conditions, without compromise. Through its publications, it actively participates in the enrichment of Haitian culture, but also global culture, by contributing to the emergence of new Haitian literary voices.
HaïtiA Publishing House with Great Ambitions
Beyond simply publishing books, CSimon Publishing aims to be a key player in preserving and transmitting Haiti’s literary heritage. This is why CSimon organizes an annual Book Fair in the Grand Nord of Haiti, called the Salon du livre du Grand Nord, where its writers have priority in showcasing their works. CSimon Publishing is also one of the key partners of the Port-au-Prince Book Fair, with whom it organizes a writing contest currently underway, which will end in April 2025. This contest, titled Letter to My Favorite Author, mainly encourages people to honor their authors and practice writing and reading aloud. In short, with CSimon Publishing, there is now a reliable path that a young Haitian or anyone of any nationality can take to assert their writing talent in peace and express themselves freely. For Haitians, this publishing house is a clear place capable of preserving the heavy legacy passed down to us by names like Jacques Roumain, Jean Price Mars, Anténor Firmin, René Philoctète, Exaire Villaire, to name just a few. In this way, it continues to inspire young generations and spark literary vocations. CSimon Publishing aims to be the new guardian of this Haitian literary tradition, offering new talents the opportunity to join this prestigious lineage, while contributing to the contemporary literary dynamics of Haiti. With all these guarantees, CSimon Publishing is the ideal place to entrust one’s writing when young.
Letter to My Favorite Author: An Initiative by CSimon Publishing and the Port-au-Prince Book Fair
The "Letter to My Favorite Author" contest is a joint initiative by CSmon Publishing, a publishing house based in Virginia, USA, and the Port-au-Prince Book Fair. The contest aims to create a platform where young literature enthusiasts can express their affection and admiration for the authors who have impacted their lives through a letter dedicated to them. This letter can be written in Haitian Creole or French by any young person aged 18 to 30 living in Haiti. The author to whom the letter is addressed can be Haitian or foreign, and even from the medieval period.
The contest began on January 27, with registration closing on that date, and will continue until April 15, when the prizes will be awarded. The awards, which are 75,000 gourdes for the winner, 50,000 gourdes for the second place, and 25,000 gourdes for third place, will be presented during the event "Living in Prose and Poetry," organized annually by the Port-au-Prince Book Fair, to be held in 2025 at the French Institute in Haiti.
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January 25, 2025 - 11:39:35 PM