13/2/2025
Montreal, October 17, 2024 - The Fondation Dynastie is proud to present its very first cohort of the A vos plumes! program, a literary micro-program conceived as a talent incubator that offers a unique platform to emerging writers who are just waiting for one thing: to share their vision of the world through their words.
Whether in prose, poetry, or fiction, the program, supported by the Conseil des arts de Montréal, aims to guide emerging authors and writers in developing their first literary project. Five unique voices will explore and rewrite the genre's conventions, each with their own atmosphere, influences, and story to tell.
“Congratulations to the winners who make up the first graduating class of this brand-new literature program, the result of our valuable partnership with the Fondation Dynastie These five emerging and talented voices are poised to enrich Montreal's cultural landscape with their inspiring creativity and unique vision. We can't wait to see their work blossom!
— Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director of the Montreal Arts Council
Svens Telemaque : A social entrepreneur and inspiring youth speaker, he co-founded Art-Selah, a hopeful poetry collective. His book , Pen of a Ready Writer Vol. 1, generated considerable buzz in 2014, attracting the attention of CBC and Global News! Svens is currently working on a memoir chronicling his transformative journey and offering lessons in resilience and empowerment to inspire young people facing adversity and promoting positive change.
Eric Lafalaise : A brilliantly talented and creative writer, Eric excels in screenwriting for film and television. Initially passionate about short stories and comic book scripts, he knows how to captivate and transport readers to fascinating worlds! In his literary project, he explores memories of a trip to Haiti just before the 2010 earthquake. By capturing moments of political discussions and daily life, he hopes to freeze the essence of a vibrant country, while also examining the profound consequences of this tragedy on its collective memory.
Naïma Frank : A Montrealer of Haitian descent, Naïma blends alternative R&B and pop with an unclassifiable touch. She's making waves on the Quebec music scene and is hailed as one of the rising stars of the new R&B wave! Through this program, she's venturing into literature to combine poetry and music and explore her identity as a Haitian-Quebec woman.
Rachel Chin : A dynamic filmmaker, writer, and researcher, Rachel hails from Kingston, Jamaica. With a unique perspective, she explores contemporary life stories, captivating audiences with her engaging style and boundless creativity! Through this program, she hopes to begin writing a collection of short stories that explores the contradictions of contemporary life through narratives set in various major cities.
Antoine-Samuel Mauffette Alavo : A cultural commentator and music journalist, Antoine-Samuel is an expert on intercultural issues. Whether on television, radio, or the internet, he lights up every panel with his contagious passion for music! His project explores the interactions between rap and linguistic issues in Quebec, offering an in-depth analysis of cultural identity and the often marginalized voices of people of African descent.
“I am particularly proud to see this new cohort embark on À vos plumes! This program, designed with the support of dedicated professionals, guides these literary talents step by step, fostering the emergence of projects that embody the plurality of voices in Quebec. The themes addressed, as varied as they are universal, testify to the richness of the perspectives and stories these authors carry, and which will resonate far beyond. It is, in my opinion, this plurality of voices that will shape not only our cultural landscape, but also conversations here and elsewhere.”
— Tracy Paulotte, Head of Programs and Broadcasting
For several weeks, the cohort will have access to workshops led by experienced mentors and trainers, creative sessions and discussions where freedom of expression will be at the heart of every exchange.
Discover our modules and trainers.
Module 1 - Development of literary skills;
Module 2 - Cover and illustration creation and design
Module 3 - Publication and distribution
Module 4 - Intellectual Property
Module 5 - Cultural Entrepreneurship (several special guests from the field will join the cohort and share their own journey with them).
At the end of the program, our five authors will be able to share an excerpt from their work with an audience during a public reading.
Émeline Pierre : Originally from Guadeloupe and enriched by Haitian and Dominican roots, she is an essential voice. A professor of literature at the University of Montreal, she has published several works and is also a member of the Parliament of Francophone Women Writers. She has served on numerous literary and multidisciplinary juries.
Niti Marcelle Mueth : A multidisciplinary artist who brilliantly combines art and design. Based in Montreal, she focuses on the stories of Black, Indigenous, and Democratic People (BID) communities and uses various media to create works that celebrate diversity and inclusion, touching hearts and minds.
Content : Creation and design
Bleess Lagardère and Johnathan Alex Alexandre : Creators of Maison Seenopsis, they combine minimalist content marketing with clean design. Their bold and innovative approach redefines brand identity, captivating audiences with compelling narratives and unique experiences that stand out with style.
Content : Branding and brand positioning
Madioula Kébé-Kamara : A committed publisher and founder of Diverses Syllabes, she passionately champions minority voices. Currently pursuing a master's degree in literary studies at UQAM, she works to enrich the literary and cultural landscape with unique and diverse perspectives.
Content : Literary publication and distribution
Josias Semujanga : An eminent professor at the University of Montreal, he specializes in Francophone literatures from Africa and the Caribbean. After an impressive academic career, he uses his expertise to help understand the social and literary issues affecting these regions.
Content : Development of literary skills
Marie-Cécile Agnant : Poems, novels and short stories, she is the mentor of the cohort.
"Get your pens ready! " is a reflection on the impact literature can have on our society. Fondation Dynastie Through this program, we aim to offer personalized support to emerging authors, enabling them to realize their writing and publishing projects. It's a springboard for those eager to tell stories, imagine, and make their voices heard.