Mega Book expands to tackle falling reading habits,spotlight Bajan authors

The Mega Book Launch and Showcase is expanding this year as organisers seek to reverse declining reading habits, boost literacy and give independent authors greater visibility as for the 60th anniversary of Independence.

Speaking at Thursday’s media launch at the Radisson Aquatica Resort in St Michael, the founder of Passionate Words Editing Services, Robert Gibson said the initiative had grown beyond helping writers publish books to addressing a wider literacy challenge.

From left: 2026 Feature authors KathyAnn Best, Isa Went, Colin Depradine, Henderson Alleyne and Nessema Riley holding the featured books. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)

“While information is now instantly available on screens, reading for pleasure has been steadily declining, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

He noted that while the pandemic reduced reading, it also inspired many people to write books without knowing how to publish or market them.

“Together, we created the Mega Book Launch with one clear purpose: to boost literacy, inspire a love of reading, and provide meaningful support to both writers and readers.”

Gibson said the showcase gives emerging authors visibility while connecting readers with local and regional books:

“When we first launched in 2024, we featured two authors launching new books and six showcasing existing titles. The overwhelming response from parents seeking quality books for their children encouraged us to expand.

“This year, we are proud to introduce a dedicated Children’s Corner and increase our featured authors from two to six.”

Asked about the challenges facing authors, he said visibility remained the biggest obstacle:

“Authors in Barbados… really one of the major things they need is visibility. Brand new authors are not known.”

Despite concerns about declining reading habits, Gibson said parents had demonstrated strong demand for children’s books:

“When we did this in 2024, I had so many parents who wanted books for their children. They saw that their children were stuck on their phones, and they wanted a way to get them back into reading.

“I don’t want the literacy rate to go down. Reading helps with comprehension, it helps with critical thinking.”

Project lead Ashley Phillips-Kinch, managing director of Bijou Media, said the event was created after seeing many self-published authors struggle to gain exposure:

“For too long, publishing has felt like where local books go to die, rather than where a journey begins.”

The first event proved there was demand for local books, with “more than half our authors” selling out and “every children’s book” being sold, she said.

Schools also embraced the initiative, with principals arranging for students to attend this year’s showcase, she added

“We are really proud to be Barbadian, aren’t we? And as authors and as readers, we need to support our own.”

Gold sponsor and author May Hinds said the event comes at a time of “considerable concern” over declining reading: “Reading supports human development. It is like fertiliser to the mind.”

Tertiary educator and author Colin Depradine warned that falling literacy levels would affect other subjects: “Without reading and writing, math will continue to decline. Science will continue to decline.”

Another author, KathyAnn Best, said many writers found promotion more difficult than writing itself:

“Creating a book is only part of the journey. Getting that book into your hands is a greater challenge.”

Writer Henderson Alleyne said the showcase had given him the opportunity to tell his story, while Isa Went urged Barbadians to “support authors. support the idea, the vision”.

The Mega Book Launch and Showcase, themed Ink, Identity, and Independence, will be held at the Radisson Aquatica Resort on November 22 from 11 a.m., featuring six featured authors, children’s activities, book signings and displays by local writers as part of the 60th anniversary of Independence celebrations.

(LE)