The Alternative Book Fair 2025 launched with a vibrant event at Islington Central Library, hosted by Jacaranda Books, an award-winning, diverse-owned independent publisher and bookseller. Titled "The Art of Romance: Editing, Writing, and Reading," the night brought together book lovers to hear from three remarkable Black authors: Lisa Bent, Rassheeda Ashanti Malcolm, and Sereeta Domingo. Since 2014, Jacaranda has championed underrepresented voices, publishing over 70 titles, and this kick-off event set the tone for a fair dedicated to fresh perspectives.
Lisa Bent, author of Symona’s Still Single (part of Jacaranda’s #Twentyin2020 initiative), kicked things off with warmth. “Your self-worth is impacted by the relationships that you have,” she said, reflecting on how personal ties shape us. She teased her sequel, admitting, “I’m struggling to write it at the moment,” but promised a story of evolution. “We’ve all questioned or lost friendships because we’re no longer in the same place of life,” she noted, calling it “a quiet kind of grief.” Spirituality guides her pen: “I believe everything is written. God and my ancestors are working above me.” Her work, praised in The Independent and Stylist, merges self-love with a higher purpose.
Rassheeda Ashanti Malcolm, a former journalist and author of Swimming With Fishes and Love Again, followed with quiet strength. She shared a pivotal moment: “I was sent off to do a story on women’s aid… I didn’t know there were women who left their homes because of abuse.” That experience fuelled her mission: “I’m going to write about women who are strong.” For her, strength means “recognizing the growth that comes with being broken, recovering, getting up again, and keep going.” Her characters, like Kat and Honey, embody this resilience. Writing, she said, is a spiritual act: “Sometimes I don’t know how I’m going to begin my chapter, and then it just runs away with me.” She is now crafting Life Happens and a writers’ guide, her words flowing with purpose.
Sereeta Domingo, editor of Who’s Loving You and author of The Three of Us and Love on the Main Stage, closed the trio. She envisioned Who’s Loving You to fill a void: “I wanted to see a collection on the shelves that was written by British women of colour.” Her pitch was straightforward: “Can you write me a love story?” The result, she said, was diverse and unexpected: “They’re all completely different.” Her own novels weave romance with depth, reflecting her belief in love’s many faces.
The room buzzed with energy—attendees leaned in, asking questions. The host’s final plea, “Please buy the books, they are very interesting, and you will learn even more,” sparked applause and a rush for signed copies. Conversations spilled into the halls, proof that this kick-off ignited excitement for The Alternative Book Fair 2025. It was a night of connection, leaving everyone eager for what is next.
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