The Anguilla Lit Fest Rocks & Authors Inspire on Stage!

Sherille Hughes, Director of Paradise Cove Resort Anguilla and Trudy Nixon

The evening reception was held at the main hosting resort, Paradise Cove, where Sherrille and her wonderful team put on a sublimely lit cocktail party, compliments of the Anguilla Tourist Board. The media teams, Dan, Josveek et al captured the excitement and I managed to pin down Sherille for a photo as well as the effervescent Trudy Nixon of True Communications. As you can see from the photos, the lighting was spectacular!

The next morning we were greeting with a breakfast presentation of poetry from Lasana Sekou, Poet & Author, Rita Celestine-Carty, Author/Poet/Educator, Vanessa Thompson, Poet and Marcel Fahie, Author/Poet. I devoured all artists, especially Vanessa, whose poem to her 3 year old daughter (at the time of writing) Savannah, did bring a tear to my eye!

Vanessa Croft Thompson – Poet Speaks..

The publishers then took over the stage and you heard views from the top – Judith Curr from Simon and Schuster, Amy Berkower, Writers House, Sarah Weiss at Harchette and Dan Weiss form St Martin Press. If you are a young fiction writer – your luck is in, especially if you are the ‘new Twighlight’!

The legendary Nikki Giovanni from Lincoln Heights USA, took us on a journey to USA in the later half of the 20th Century, with her unique humour and direct style! Later on in the afternoon after a gorgeous lunch of group fish, fresh salad, carrot cake, banana cake and fruit punch came my session. Lunch at the Lit Fest with Trudy Nixon, Caterina Jones and Rachel Atherton

I was very honoured to share the stage with some very successful authors – Gillian Royes, Rita Celestine Carty, Catrina Jones and the legendary Yasus Afari from Jamaica! Our session was called ‘ Artists on the Page – From Ideation to Publication. So I got to talk about how to self-publish using Kindle Digital Publishing and Create Space (Amazon platforms) I had just got my own boxes of books from the USA and was proudly holding one and quoting from it on stage! Luckily my acting training has prepared me NOT to be nervous on stage – thank goodness. So I totally enjoyed answering questions (especially from the students) and getting everyone inspired to WRITE and COMPLETE their WORK!

Amanda Reading on Stage at the Anguilla Lit Fest – Ideation to Publication Session (Photo:Trudy Nixon)

Everyone had great feedback and I believe much useful information was shared with the audience and the attendees. I was so excited I bounced off the stage!  I was also very excited that my book was now for sale in the Coral Reef Book Store – I have to say I was a bit proud seeing it on a stand on a pillar at the front of the store!

Connect to Authentic Success in the Coral Reef Book Store!

The evening included a visit to the outstanding Viceroy Resort where Richard Alexander, the General Manager greeted us for cocktails, canapes and a local folk dance & song group provided the entertainment. It was magical!

After this the authors were whisked away by Candis from the Anguilla Tourist Board to enjoy the offerings of Koba the signature restaurant overlooking the sea at the Viceroy Resort. ( I already knew of the venue as I had my Wedding Drinks and nibbles here – I love the place, it’s spectacular and so is the food and beverage – you must come here when you visit Anguilla)

The mahi-mahi and triple apple delight desert did if for me. I felt very privileged to be sharing a table with Stephanie Stokes-Oliver, a successful author and one of the founders of the Anguilla Lit Fest, as well as her husband Reggie, Cheryl and Jim from Cheryl Andrews Communications, Lesana Sekou and Oliver Macdonna from the Anguilla Tourist Board.

The next morning’s topic was Anguilla Revelations, lead by Hyacinth Hughes, Poet, Timmy Webster, Poet, David Carty, Poet & Historian. I got glimpses of Anguilla’s Past with glorious settings and crafted words. Then I learned more about Haiti’s history in Edwidge Danticat’s (Award winning Author & Educator) her session titled ‘Create Dangerously’. I was surprised to hear how muted much of Haiti has been and what talent may have penetrated the outside world..luckily there are new beginnings and Edwidge opened my mind to the gratitude for free expression.

Free expression and doing an interview with Prince (whilst  playing basketball) was next on the Lit Fest Menu, with the charming and gorgeous Toure MSNBC Host, Author & Cultural Critic. He’d kindly given me some baby sleeping tips at lunch on Thursday so knowing he’s a family guy too, always adds in my estimation! I loved his story about jumping out of a plane and almost departing this earth and his endearing story of how to get closer to Prince, the singer whilst researching his book on him and the cultural mystery that surrounds him. I wanted to get my picture with him afterwards but there were many more people before me so I decided to catch him at the next presentation: The Male Perspective, with panelists, Marcle Farhie, Toure, Yasus Afari, Lasana Sekou, Dan Weiss and David Carty.

The Male Perspective with Yasus Afari & Toure

At the same time, Jo-Anne Mason was running her session on Youthful Creativity. These two sessions ended the official host proceedings, although we did go on to celebrate the 70th Birthday of Nikki Giovanni at the Dune Preserve (won many Bar of the Caribbean Awards) It was stunning with the moonlight over the Caribbean sea…a fitting end to an enlightening, friendly, educational, inspiring few days at the Anguilla Lit Fest. Thanks to everyone who sponsored the event, and especially Josveek and Dan, Sharon, Sherille, Candis & the girls, Angela, Dawn, Rachel, Rita, Vanessa and all who made it such a success. See you in SXM this week or next year! xxx