N E W T I T LE I N F O R M AT I O N
Coconut by Nisha Patel A powerful debut by one of Canada’s best slam poets. In her debut collection, Canadian National Slam Champion Nisha Patel commands her formidable insight and youthful, engaged voice to relay experiences of racism, sexuality, empowerment, grief, and love. These are vitally political, feminist poems for young women of colour, with bold portrayals of confession, hurt, and healing. Coconut rises fiercely like the sun. These poems bestow light and warmth and the ability to witness the world, but they ask for more than basking; they ask readers to grow and warn that they can be burnt. Above all, Nisha Patel’s work questions and challenges propriety and what it means to be a good woman, second-generation immigrant, daughter, consumer, and lover. Trade Paperback / April 1, 2021 isbn 10: 1-77439- 023-X isbn 13: 978-177439- 023-8 BISAC 1: POE023040 BISAC 2: POE011000 BISAC 3: POE023000 100 pp / 5.5 x 9 / $19.95 cdn $14.95 usd
“The table of contents of Coconut reads like a poem I wish I could write. Patel’s words collapse well established defences into nothing but excuses. Poems entitled ‘chai latte’ and ‘father’ are both gorgeous and gut wrenching, like a sunset over a tsunami. Readers will hold their breath. The exhale will not bring relief but rather, perspective.” ~ Rebecca Thomas, author of I place you into the fire
About The Author Nisha Patel is an award-winning queer poet and artist. She is the City of Edmonton’s 8th Poet Laureate, and the Canadian Individual Slam Champion. She is a recipient of the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund Award. She is also the founder of Moon Jelly House, a publishing house centering the voices of marginalized poets. Nisha is committed to furthering her goals of reaching audiences that need it. Her poetry focuses strongly on her struggles and triumphs alike.
ADDITIONAL SALES POINTS • Author is the current Poet Laureate of Edmonton and the Canadian Individual Slam Champion. • Part of the Crow Said Poetry series. Notable titles include Kayla Geitzler’s That Light Feeling Under Your Feet, Meredith Quartermain’s Lullabies in the Real World, and Bertrand Bickersteth’s The Response of Weeds MARKETING PLAN • Early digital ARC and international press release mailout. • Announcement of book’s release by email newsletter and on the NeWest Press Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. • Podcast reading/interview posted on iTunes, RSS feed, Facebook, and NeWest website. • Press releases and review mailouts to various CBC outlets across the nation, both radio and television. • Submit to all eligible awards. • Launch events in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver, as well as online.
5
• Ads in subTerrain, Alberta Views, Prairie Books Now, CNQ: Canadian Notes and Queries, Glass Buffalo, PRISM international, and Prairie Fire. MARKETS • National trade: poetry • US and UK trade: poetry • Edmonton, AB, and India COMPARISON TITLES • Even This Page Is White by Vivek Shraya (978-1-551526-41-6, Arsenal Pulp Press, 2016) • Re-Origin of Species by Naccarato Alessandra (978-1-771665-42-1, Book*hug, 2019) • One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter by Scaachi Koul (978-0-385685-37-5, Doubleday Canada, 2018)
newestpress.com
