On May 19, youth living in Somerville’s Mystic Housing Development and other low-income neighborhoods will launch a month-long, regional book tour, the Mystic Ink Tour. The DIY tour will take urban teens out of their economically-challenged communities to some of the leading spoken word venues and bookstores in the region to deliver readings of poetry and prose and sign copies of newly released books that they’ve written.
The writers, who are mostly 1st generation Haitian immigrants, range in age from 12-25. Since last September, they have been spending afternoons and late nights learning from acclaimed and community-based writers, alike, to produce poetry and fiction as part of the Books of Hope program. Their stories and poems come from real life experiences and their imaginations. They’re concerned about relationships, loss, struggle, and how to survive and win. Having worked closely with editors to refine their voices and designers to conceptualize their book covers, they are now armed with newly published books to bring to New England communities; some that have yet to hear the power of these young people’s words.
At the Release Party, Books Of Hope youth authors will read from their work, sell and sign copies of their books, and be available for interviews. Book sales directly benefit each author. Also, during the event, there will be a special presentation of books created by youth in Ghana through the Cross Cultural Collaborative.
