Call for Contributors
for fall 2021 Youth Issue

The Hamilton Review of Books is seeking reviewers and contributors for our Fall 2021 Youth issue. With this theme in mind, we are interested in exploring and redefining what “youth” means through working with experienced and first-time reviewers. There is no specified age limit for contributors; however, we are actively seeking new or emerging voices. We are looking for reviews of young adult, teen and children’s books, and any book that relates to the theme of youth. Think in terms of reflections for your “inner child” and stories that you may wish you had at a younger age or, of course, ones that reflect your current age if you are a young person. 

For this issue, contributors will be working with Guest Editor, Ja’miil Millar. Ja'miil (she/her) is a writer, editor and student and teacher of movement in Hamilton on Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Attiwonderonk (Neutral), Haudenosaunee, Mississauga, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation land. Ja’miil’s identity and culture play a central role in how she expresses herself and guides her to consistently reflect on the spaces she takes up. She relies on this expression through words, movement, and creativity to sustain her capacity and connection for community work.

The goal of this issue is to contribute to intergenerational conversations on the concept of youth. We are looking to work with writers to review books by authors in what is currently known as Canada. We can be flexible on publication dates for books reviewed (though, we’re keen to highlight books published in 2020 that may have been overlooked due to the pandemic). We are also open to reviews in a non-conventional format (i.e. audio and video reviews). Contributors will be paid $100 for a review of approx. 750 or more words.

If you are interested in reviewing a book for us, please email hrbguesteditor[at]gmail[dot]com. We are actively seeking a wide range of voices and so, we ask that you self-disclose as much of your identity that you are comfortable sharing (age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, etc.) via email with a brief statement of interest, a writing sample and/or an answer to the question: if you could redefine youth, what would the definition be? 

Potential titles for review:

The Quiet is Loud by Samantha Garner

Treaty Words: For As Long As the Rivers Flow by Aimée Craft, Illustrated by Luke Swinson 

Frying Plantain by Zalika Reid-Benta

Burning Sugar by Cicely Belle Blain

Where Things Touch: A Meditation on Beauty by Bahar Orang

Bruised by Tanya Boteju