Small Press, Big Love: Spotlight on Four Local Presses

Presentation combined with audience questions 

Book signing: Will occur immediately after the session at the venue.

#BBF2025

The Transnational Series hosts Emmelie Prophète and Aidan Rooney to discuss and celebrate the release of Cécé with Enzo Silon Surin.

Join the Transnational Literature Series at Brookline Booksmith for an in-store event with author Emmelie Prophète and translator Aidan Rooney to discuss and honor the release of Cécé. They will be in conversation with writer Enzo Silon Surin.

An astonishing novel of raw beauty about gang life, sex work, and social media in Haiti.

Cécé La Flamme, as she’s known by her loyal Facebook friends, captures photographs of still bodies. Figures scorched and bruised, left to the rubble of the Cité of Divine Power. When she posts an image of a corpse, Cécé’s followers skyrocket. “Nothing got more attention than a good corpse that was nice and warm or already rotting.” Just beside visions of rot and neglect, she posts pictures of her toes, gullies crisscrossing the cité, and her own lips painted blue. With every image, Cécé seeks control and wants to create a frank, intimate record of the terror in her cité.

Cécé’s world begins and ends with the cité—a slum peopled by gangs, yelping kids, grandmothers, junkies, and preachers. The very gate that encloses the cité was constructed by militant gang members. First boss Freddy, then Joël, then Jules César rule the gang that holds the cité in a chokehold. Sharp, sincere, and desperate, Cécé cleaves life for herself out of social media, sex work, and attempts at friendship with other women. When an American journalist offers to buy the rights to Cécé’s photographs, she demands double the cash. When an abusive former client dies, she wears hot pink to his funeral. Emmelie Prophète’s novel is fierce, devastating, and suggestive—a record of a woman clawing back control.

Emmelie Prophète is the author of two poetry collections and six novels, the first of which, Les Testaments de Solitude, won the Grand Prix littéraire de l’Association des écrivains de langue française. Prophète’s most recent novel, Les Villages de Dieu, was awarded the Prix FetKann Maryse Condé, a prize that recognizes literature promoting human dignity from the largely postcolonial global South. Prophète, a former director of the National Library of Haiti, plays important roles in Haiti’s governance, bringing cultural curation and social justice to the fore. She lives in Port-au-Prince.

Translator Aidan Rooney is a teacher at Thayer Academy in Massachusetts. Rooney’s poetry collections include Go There, Tightrope, and Day Release. His translations from Haitian Kreyòl and French can be read elsewhere at AGNI, Asymptote, Carte Blanche, Tanbou, as well as in print in New American Writing. His honors include the Sunday Tribune Hennessy Cognac Award for New Irish Poetry and the Daniel Varoujan Award from the New England Poetry Club. He lives in Hingham, Massachusetts.

Moderator Enzo Silon Surin is an award-winning poet, author, educator, and publisher. He is the founder of Central Square Press, visiting instructor of creative writing at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and author of When My Body Was a Clinched Fist—winner of the Massachusetts Book Award—and American Scapegoat. He also hosts the podcast It’s a Poetic Life, a soulful space for exploring creativity and connection.

Reading at Salem Arts Festival: America, Who Are You?: Poets Respond

“In my country,” said Bruce Springsteen recently, “they're taking sadistic pleasure in the pain they inflict on loyal American workers. They're rolling back historic civil rights legislation that has led to a more just and plural society. They are abandoning our great allies and siding with dictators against those struggling for their freedom. They are defunding American universities that won't bow down to their ideological demands."

Join several local poets including Enzo Silon Surin, for poems about who we are and where we are as a nation today.

Massachusetts Poetry Festival MA Winner Reading

on Sunday, June 1, 2025, Starting at 10:15 AM EST

"American Tyrant: Poetry in the Age of Democratic Fragility," on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. in the Large Room inside St. Peter's Church.

Roxbury Book Fair: Haitian Writers on Community & the Diaspora: Greater Roxbury Book Fair

Saturday May 17th, 2025, 9am - 5pm

Free and open to the public

Location:  Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library 

149 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119

Parking: There’s a gravel city lot next door to the library that you can park in. 

Transit: Orange line to Roxbury Crossing (fifteen-minute walk)

14/15/19/23/28/41/42/44/45/66 bus to Nubian

1:00pm - A Haitian-American Poetry Celebration

Join local Haitian-American authors Marjorie Salvadon, Enzo Silon Surin, and Patrick Sylvain for a celebration of Haitian-American poetry, including a tribute to former Boston Poet Laureate Danielle Legros. 

Fellowes Community Room in the Roxbury Library

Signing: Fellowes Community Room Signing Table at 2:00 PM

April 2025 - National Poetry Month

Firewater Poetics at Emerson College

April 29, 2025
Location: Emerson College, Boston, MA
Featuring Enzo Silon Surin in a night of poetry and spoken word, bringing together dynamic voices to explore creativity, identity, and the power of storytelling.

An Evening of Poetry & Conversation with Enzo Silon Surin & January Gill O’Neil

April 29, 2025 | Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Porter Square Books, Boston, MA

Join poets Enzo Silon Surin and January Gill O’Neil for an intimate evening of poetry, reflection, and conversation at Porter Square Books. Together, they will read from their works and engage in a discussion on craft, identity, and the power of storytelling in shaping both personal and collective narratives. This event offers a unique opportunity to hear from two dynamic voices as they explore the intersections of poetry, community, and creative expression.

The Ocean Has No Borders: Celebrating Community Through Poetry and Stories

April 26, 2025

Location: Lynn Museum and Arts Center

Celebrate National Poetry Month with a reflective evening of poetry and storytelling. Enzo Silon Surin will offer remarks on the power of storytelling to foster connection, followed by a showcase of creative writing from participants across Swampscott and Lynn.

Reclaiming Our Voices: Poetry, Identity, and the Power of Community

A Community Book/Group Discussion & Generative Writing Workshop

April 12, 2025 (Weekend) — Adult Community Discussion & Workshop

April 16, 2025 (Early Afternoon/Early Evening) — Youth Discussion & Workshop

Location: Swampscott & Lynn, MA

Engage in meaningful conversations about identity, belonging, and community through book discussions and generative writing workshops. Participants will explore how poetry challenges dominant narratives and fosters deeper connections.

Visiting Poet at the College of Southern Maryland

April 9, 2025

Location: College of Southern Maryland

Enzo Silon Surin will be featured as the Visiting Poet, sharing his poetry, insights on craft, and engaging with students and faculty on the role of poetry in shaping social and personal narratives.

April 2025 - National Poetry Month

Firewater Poetics at Emerson College

April 2, 2025
Location: Emerson College, Boston, MA
Featuring Enzo Silon Surin in a night of poetry and spoken word, bringing together dynamic voices to explore creativity, identity, and the power of storytelling.

Swampscott Tides Moth Storytelling Night

March 29, 2025 | Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Swampscott, MA

A captivating night of storytelling, where voices from the community come together to share powerful, moving, and thought-provoking personal narratives.

Threads of a Shared Legacy: Honoring Black History as Our History | A Black History Month Celebration

February 25, 2025 | Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Swampscott High School, Swampscott, MA

Join us for an evening of poetry, storytelling, and discussion, recognizing Black history as a shared legacy. Featuring original poetry from Enzo Silon Surin and a community panel discussion, this event explores the role of history in shaping identity and inclusion.

The Possibility of Us: A Reading and Conversation on Community and Reclaiming Our Collective Power

February 19, 2025

Location: Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield, MA

Join Enzo Silon Surin for a poetry reading and facilitated conversation exploring how storytelling shapes identity, belonging, and collective power. Through poetry and dialogue, participants will reflect on the role of language in fostering empathy, transformation, and inclusivity.

Poetry Workshop with Enzo Silon Surin

Following the election, we are holding space for a free cathartic poetry workshop on Wednesday, November 6, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Swampscott-based and award-winning poet, educator, publisher, and social advocate Enzo Silon Surin offers a 60-minute workshop about the power of telling one’s own story. This experience is geared towards people with different writing experiences and is open to all.

Light refreshments will be provided. Please call 781-571-6200 or email office@lynnmuseum.org to RSVP.

Sparking the Conversation

In-Person Event, FREE

Join us for a powerful conversation about Black mental health in America!

Date: Thursday, July 25th
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Boston Public Library Copley (700 Boylston St.) @ Commonwealth Salon
Light refreshments will be provided.

July is National BIPOC Mental Health Month. While statistics highlight the challenges faced by Black communities, this event goes beyond the numbers.

Hear lived experiences from a panel of Black mental health advocates:

• Carmen Blyden, MBA, Owner of Healthy Energy Actively Living (HEAL)

• Enzo Silon Surin, MFA, Award-winning Poet, Educator, Publisher, and Social Advocate

Moderated by:

• Paris Alston, Co-host of Morning Edition and The Wake Up podcast, GBH News

Together, let’s:

• Break the stigma surrounding mental health.

• Learn about the unique struggles faced by Black communities.

• Spark important conversations about healing and access to care.

Reading with Enzo Silon Surin and January Gill O’Neal

The Marblehead Festival of Arts Literary Festival promises an eclectic lineup of events and opportunities for literature enthusiasts of all ages. The festivities, organized by Abbot Public Library Executive Director Kim Grad and a team of volunteers, kick off on the Fourth of July and continue through July 7, featuring a diverse array of authors, workshops and interactive sessions.

Literary festival, a wordsmith wonderland, in the Marblehead Current

Website

Transitional Literature Series

Join the Transnational Literature Series at Brookline Booksmith for an in-store event with writers ’Pemi Aguda, Keith Jones, and Enzo Silon Surin to discuss and celebrate the release of the latest issue of Transition Magazine on Species and Ghostroots.

The latest issue of Transition: The Magazine of Africa and the Diaspora's focus is Species. Species builds on the previous issue Climate by tracking the intimate relationship of the Diaspora to all forms of life. Among the relationships considered in this issue are those imposed on Africans as a result of the atrocities of Middle Passage (and racialized chattel slavery) as well as practices and relationships that grow from–and resist–those atrocities. In addition to many essays, and an interview with artist Kapwani Kiwanga, remarkable fiction and poetry also address the issue’s themes, including the opening poems by Enzo Silon Surin as well as stunning contributions from Keith Jones, among others.

This event is being held at Future Front, which is a cozy space located right next to The Little Gay Shop.

Readings by Enzo Silon Surin, Jubi Arriola-Headley, and KB Brookins

Jun 19, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM CDT

Future Front, 1900 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702, USA

Join Abode Press to celebrate Juneteenth by listening to poetry from renowned Black poets, KB Brookins, Enzo Silon Surin, and Mirakol Smith. Each poet will reflect on Juneteenth, its significance, and read from their works. There will be books available for purchase from Black Pearl Books and a time for signings and author questions. There is a 30-person capacity for this event so RSVPs are mandatory. To practice community care, masks are required for this event and will be available for attendees at the front door.

Learn more here

FIREWATER Poetics at the Elma Lewis Center.

Curated and MC’d by our talented and fabulous Letta Neely, 2022-2024 Elma Lewis Center Storyweaver-in-Residence (2022-2024). 

Where: In person (148 Boylston St, Boston) or Zoom link in our bio @elmalewiscenter. 

More details TBA

Enzo Silon Surin will be our guest poet on March 27.

Come join us on Zoom for his reading and bring a poem to read at the open mic. Registration is free and open to the public. Link below!

When: Mar 27, 2024 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZEpc...

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Join us on Instagram for Caribbean Connections, A Reading and Conversation on Instagram Live

Featuring Enzo Silon Surin, Roberto Carlos Garcia & Myriam J.A. Chancy

@robertoisoffworld on Instagram!

SWAMPSCOTT BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

             BLACK HISTORY IS OUR HISTORY

                     Swampscott's Black History

DATE:                       Tuesday, February 27th - 6:30 PM EST

LOCATION:         Swampscott High School, 200 Essex St., Swampscott MA

You Were Born a Poem: a Master Craft Class by Enzo Silon Surin (via Zoom)

Saturday, February 24th,2024 | 12:30 - 2:30 PM EST

There are a number of things that inform who we are as individuals, which consequently inform the way we process and reflect the world we inhabit. These same factors are at play in the decisions we make as writers and they have a profound effect on how, when, and where we make use of the necessary language to convey our experiences. As such, the Poet as “literary device” is not a stretch by any means. 

In this master craft class, we will explore what it means to be a poem and how the way we move through the world can have an impact on what we choose to write about. We will also discuss how this impacts the way we craft a poem, from its shape and sounds to its rhythm and movements.

NB: This class will be taught on Zoom and will be capped at 15 students. Registrants will receive the Zoom link to the email address they use to register. It will arrive immediately after registration so please check your spam folder if you do not receive it. It will also be sent the day before class as a reminder.

An Immersive Day of Intensive Writing, Engaging Workshops, and Inspirational Readings Led by Professional, Award-winning Authors

Experiment Under the Mentorship of Accomplished Writers

The conference will feature a combination of writing workshops and readings led by published mentors. This year we are pleased to offer mentorship by authors Colleen Michaels, Enzo Silon Surin, and Kevin Carey. The workshop will culminate in a group reading of student work created during the day. Participants may experiment with different styles of creative writing, including poetry, fiction, and personal essay. Students will have an opportunity to work in small groups with each mentor over the course of the day. 

Conference Details

When:  February 2, 2024, 8:30 - 5:00

Where: Waring School, Beverly, MA - Directions

Open to: High school students of the greater Boston area

Transportation: Waring will provide transportation to and from Beverly Depot Station for attendees taking the commuter rail. Contact Jill Sullivan at Jillsullivan@waringschool.org to organize pickup and drop-off times.

Description: The North Shore Young Writers Conference is an opportunity for students to unplug from social media and online distractions to participate in a day of intensive writing with like-minded peers. Award-winning authors will mentor students, give advice, and lead workshops as well as share their own writing with the group. Specific conference details coming soon!

Cost: $50