Literary Lounge Delights with Poetry, Art & Creativity
Kingston Creative hosted the monthly Creative Meetup entitled “Literary Lounge”, a memorable evening of connection, creativity, and cultural dialogue at the Kingston Creative Coworking Space in Downtown Kingston. The panel discussion featured Christine Randle-Wray, Director of UWI Press and former head of Ian Randle Publishers; Dr. Lisa Tomlinson, Head of the Department of Literatures in English at UWI Mona; Reneé Wallace, author and content creator known as @rensbookishspace and Annie Paul, Editor-in-Chief of PREE magazine who has published extensively on art and Caribbean literature.
These leading voices in Jamaica’s literary space shared insights on their work and the current publishing landscape. They discussed the challenges around the accessibility and affordability of self-publishing tools, the importance of local support networks, and the growing opportunities for Jamaican authors to connect with international audiences. A notable example was Kwame McPherson, winner of the Commonwealth prize for Literature who was recently invited to speak at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair. The conversation also touched on the ethical concerns around Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the industry, and concluded with some practical recommendations for strengthening the literary ecosystem across the Caribbean.
The AI Effect
On the matter of responsible use of AI, Christine Randle-Wray commented, “The fact of the matter is that AI is indeed a useful tool, and while I am loath to recommend that people use it to create, it can certainly help you to become a better writer. You shouldn’t use AI to do the creative work that you are supposed to do, but AI can help your work to shine.”
The discussion highlighted self-publishing and the use of online communities for book marketing, noting that traditional publishing offers better distribution. Annie Paul cautioned against the risk of unsold inventory in self-publishing, emphasizing the affordability of modern options like Print On Demand. The panel concurred that despite the ease of self-publishing, authors should still invest in professional editing, proofreading, cover design, and layout services.
A standout of the evening was the exhibition by visual artist Yanque Yip, featuring works from his upcoming series and book “Your Infinite Progression”. These striking paintings explore cosmic and philosophical questions through geometry, design, and human expression, reflecting the idea that “Knowledge is Infinite, so is Power.” Each piece invites viewers into a layered visual journey, connecting mathematics, art, and the boundless nature of information.
The Literary Lounge evening was further energized by captivating performances from Britton Wright, whose spoken word poetry moved the audience with raw emotion and cultural insight with two pieces, Nuff Man and Black Woman. Every first Friday of the month, the Kingston Creative Meetup brings together a powerhouse lineup of Jamaican creative voices, visual artists, and musicians, drawing a full house of creatives, book lovers, and cultural leaders. Music by DJ Fénix and DJ Wylyphe kept the vibe alive, transforming the space into a real Friday night place-to-be.
Literary Lounge Date
Literary Lounge was staged on the heels of World Book and Copyright Day (April 23) and World Intellectual Property Day (April 26), underscoring the essential role of literacy, cultural preservation, and innovation in building sustainable and inclusive societies.
“We are honoured to have created a space where Jamaica’s literary voices, artists, and cultural innovators could come together to inspire each other and the wider creative community,” said Andrea Dempster Chung, Kingston Creative Co-Founder. “We hope to see more creatives coming out to the Meetup and the Downtown Live Jazz night which is also held at F&B / Kamila’s Kitchen on Friday nights!”
Kingston Creative continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for cultural transformation in Downtown Kingston, offering opportunities for artists and creatives to connect, share their work, and build a thriving creative economy.
