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CSimon Publishing: The Publishing House that Marks a New Era for Haitian Literature
CSimon Publishing: The Publishing House that Marks a New Era for Haitian Literature
CSimon Publishing: The Publishing House that Marks a New Era for Haitian Literature

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.

Haïti
Haïti
Haïti

Literature, 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.

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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.

Haïti
Haïti
Haïti

A 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.

The literary and philosophical club of Galette-Chambon reveals its second edition: a journey to the heart of books
The literary and philosophical club of Galette-Chambon reveals its second edition: a journey to the heart of books

The literary and philosophical club of Galette-Chambon reveals its second edition: a journey to the heart of books

In an atmosphere of madness, at the Auditorium Saint Jean Marie Vianney de Galette-Chambon, where the laughs broke out, the music resounded, and the talents were dismented, started the second edition of the reading competition, around the theme "Ann Li pou n chanje peyi n ». This initiative, organized by the literary and philosophical club of Galette Chambon (CLPGACH) on Friday 06 October 2024, was marked by an overflowing passion within the public. The spectators came for several reasons: to support the applicants and live their presentations. The works, as "thus spoke of the uncle", "the vocation of the elite" of Jean Price Mars, "the ten black men" of Etzer vilary and "the courage to live in Haïti in the 21st century" of Hérold Toussaint, present innovative arguments linked to the societal context. They intertwine with folklore, Haitian culture, sociology and anthropology. These books are given to the applicants for a period of 15 days. Back, they come with their summaries and, after each presentation, in turn, reveal new perspectives on burning questions and delicate themes from works, while taking into account the concepts learned in public speaking. In this arena where the verve and the verb clash as well as logic, conviction, precision and clarity, it is a question of "saying all in a few words". The judgments are based on three criteria: the methodology concerning the substance and the form of the work; The eloquence which concerns verbal and non -verbal discourse (micro management, good pronunciation, etc.); And finally, an essential criterion: understanding. This is to assess whether the applicant has controlled the work. Questions can be asked without ignoring the context in which he lives. In addition, assistants have the opportunity to vote for the applicant who charmed them the most. This vote is precious at a higher level. Note that this vote can be made not only face -to -face but also online on our Facebook page CLPGACH. In addition, the public has always changed well through this trip to the universe of regional authors. The latter weave the frame and make vital the very repertoire of the competition vital, made up of impactful works such as "the price of irresponsibility" of Montuma Murat, "the return to citizen responsibility" written by Jean Jacquesson Thelucier and "Courage to live in Haïti in the 21st century "Professor Hérold Toussaint, to name a few. Although they died, some writers still live at the heart of our situation through their inheritance. Among them, it is necessary to quote: "the vocation of the elite" of Doctor Jean Price Mars, "the ten black men" of Etzer Villaire and "the Governor of the dew" by Jacques Roumain, as well as so many others . For this literary event to be moving and meets expectations for this second edition, many sacrifices are necessary on the part of the staff as well as the public which never leaves us alone. In this sense, we would like to thank them and call all those wishing to support this event. Indeed, if this competition is a solution found to advance together towards a common goal, its success depends on everyone’s commitment. About two years ago, the security climate in the area was not conducive to the completion of the competition. Although it is not yet ideal today, it is time to triumph over obscurantism and fight the dictatorship of ambient ignorance.

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About the Author
Moise Francois
Moise Francois
Moise Francois

Journalist editor, poet and apprentice lawyer.

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January 25, 2025 - 11:39:35 PM
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First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

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