Updates – Horane Smith

Posted on May 19, 2024May 19, 2024 by Horane Smith — Leave a comment

Reggae Silver (review) – “Smith masterfully pilots this landscape…

Celebrations abound for Horane Smith, the esteemed writer and former news editor of the now-defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC). Smith recently received recognition through nomination as a Finalist in the prestigious US Booknews Best Book Awards for his outstanding contribution to Historical Fiction.

With an impressive repertoire of 14 published books under his belt, Smith stands on the brink of releasing his 15th novel, later this year “The Queen’s Plate,” through Baymar Publishers. His literary prowess has garnered praise from esteemed scholars, who commend his ability to breathe life into historical narratives, shedding light on obscured truths and forgotten tales.

Reflecting on his latest work, “Reggae Silver,” I found myself immersed in the gritty underworld of reggae music, a realm often entangled with complexities, crime, and violence. Smith masterfully pilots this landscape, painting a vivid picture of the challenges faced by newcomers seeking success in an industry rife with corruption and exploitation. Through the protagonist’s journey, Smith highlights themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of love and family amidst adversity.

While tempted by the allure of wealth and fame at the hands of top producers, I couldn’t help but empathise with the protagonist’s moral dilemma. Much like Smith’s exploration of the music industry’s underbelly, “Reggae Silver” serves as a poignant reminder of the moral choices we face and the triumph of integrity over temptation.

In hindsight, perhaps “Reggae Gold” would have been a more fitting title, symbolising the protagonist’s ascent from the depths of injustice to reclaim his rightful place in society through sheer talent and resilience.

As I embark on a journey to explore Smith’s literary body of work, committing to devouring one book a month, I am reminded that this feat is no small undertaking. Each of Smith’s works promises to offer a unique perspective on history, culture, and the human experience, leaving an indelible mark on readers worldwide.

Contributor

Lois Grant

Bark Di Trute with Vernon Darby https://vderby.blogspot.com/2024/05/horane-smith-gets-nomination-as.html

Lois Grant, JP, MA, BA (Hons), Dip Mass Comm, Cert. Broadcast Journalism BBC-London, is a powerhouse in the communications realm. Known for her groundbreaking achievements as Co-founder of Innercity Promotions, she along with her former partner, revolutionised the branding of dance hall music. In the ’90s, Grant founded Corporate Image Communications and Productions, orchestrating innovative events for top brands like Tastee Limited, COK Credit Union and Jamaica National Building Society. Her influence extends to shaping political landscapes across three Caribbean islands, including Jamaica, where she served as Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister (2007-2013). Though retired,, Grant continues to make waves as a consultant for esteemed entities like NBC Sports and as a travel influencer

Posted on May 19, 2024May 19, 2024 by Horane Smith — Leave a comment

Jamaican Author, Horane Smith takes on Human Trafficking and Deportees in his 15th Novel

Toronto, Canada, May 1, 2024 –Horane Smith, the distinguished Jamaican-born Canadian novelist, is about to unveil his milestone fifteenth work, The Queen’s Plate, promising a compelling narrative destined to enchant and stimulate profound reflections among readers worldwide.

Jamaican author resident in Canada, Mr. Horane smith, about to publish his 15th novel.Reflecting his deep roots in Jamaica and his vibrant life in Canada, this novel spans the bustling streets of Brooklyn, New York, the serene landscapes of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, and the multicultural vibrancy of Toronto, Canada.

Horane Smith’s journey with The Queen’s Plate began back in 1977 in Montego Bay, a manuscript initially shelved among his early writings. After decades, Smith revisited this powerful story, updating it to mirror contemporary societal issues, and swiftly secured a publisher.

“I am thrilled to be working with BayMar Publishing,” Smith shares from his home in Toronto, reflecting on the smooth and swift process of bringing this long-held story to readers.

The Heart of the Story
The Queen’s Plate tackles pressing social issues through the compelling narrative of a social activist’s relentless search for three missing young girls. The plot thickens with the involvement of a recent deportee from the U.S., weaving a complex tapestry of themes including stereotyping, corruption, and the power of activism.

The novel is set in a fictional town in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, Brooklyn New York, and Toronto Canada. It tells the story of a social activist’s efforts to find the whereabouts of three young missing girls and the possibility that a recent deportee from the U.S. might be involved in their disappearance.

It addresses the question of stereotyping, corruption in high places, and examines the role of activism in bringing about social change.

“This novel addresses issues we never thought would reach Jamaican shores,” Smith explains, driven by recent conversations with law enforcement about the rise in human trafficking in Jamaica.

An Author’s Evolution
Since his 1999 debut with his first novel Lover’s Leap: Based on the Jamaican slavery legend that two slaves who are secretly in love are found out by their slave masters and must make a choice either to live without each other or to jump from a beautiful 1,700 foot cliff that overlooks the sea.

The novel was the subject of a major study that focused on the enslaved Africans in Caribbean literature as it affected master-slave relationships.

The study, ‘Fight, Love, and Flee, Cognitive Dissonance in Horane Smith’s Lover’s Leap,’ was published in Orbis Litterarum, an international journal (Wiley and Sons, publisher) devoted to the study of European and American literature.

The study’s author said “Horane Smith “is one of the writers who breathe life into the past in their texts. Smith attempts to raise the Caribbean black men’s awareness and understanding of the institutions of slavery and the colonial forces that have conspired to disturb their psyches and de-Africanize them, making them lose touch with their harmonious selves and their roots,” Professor Abdelmotagally noted.

In his latest novel, The Queen’s Plate, Smith has continually explored diverse themes ranging from historical romance to social activism.

His work has not only entertained but has sparked important discussions in academic circles and among readers worldwide. The sequel Dawn at Lover’s Leap and Morant Bay: Based on the Jamaican Rebellion further showcase his range and commitment to highlighting Caribbean history and its implications today.

Inspiration and Aspirations
As The Queen’s Plate prepares for release, Smith is focused on the impact of his words, aiming to foster awareness and vigilance among his readers.

“It’s about enlightening and empowering through narrative,” he states, hopeful that his newest novel will encourage a deeper understanding and proactive engagement with social issues.

This novel marks not just another milestone in Horane Smith’s illustrious career but also a testament to the power of revisiting and revitalizing past works to speak into the present’s needs.

Historical Backdrop Enriching Fiction
Horane Smith masterfully uses the rich and dramatic history of Jamaica as a backdrop for his engrossing narratives. His novels, steeped in the vivid tales of his homeland, not only entertain but also educate, shedding light on the cultural and historical intricacies of the Caribbean.

This technique enhances the realism and depth of his stories, making the past resonant with contemporary audiences.

A Tapestry of Time and Place
In The Queen’s Plate, this historical richness serves as a foundation upon which the modern-day issues are explored.

By intertwining the past with the present, Smith creates a dynamic narrative that highlights the continuous impact of history on current social realities. His characters navigate through the complexities of life, influenced by the legacies of colonialism, rebellion, and transformation.

Connecting Threads of History and Modernity
Through his work, Smith invites readers to traverse time, offering insights into how historical events shape societal behaviors and stereotypes today.

The historical context provided in his novels enriches the reader’s understanding and adds a profound layer of significance to the unfolding drama, making Horane Smith’s literary world not just a mirror to view the past but also a lens to scrutinize the present.

Delving into the Music Industry with “Reggae Silver”
In another striking narrative, Reggae Silver, Horane Smith ventures into the underbelly of Jamaica’s music industry.

This novel serves as a poignant reminder of the moral choices individuals face within the glittering yet often murky world of music production and fame.

Smith paints a vivid picture of the challenges newcomers face—corruption, exploitation, and the constant temptation to forsake one’s values for success.

Journey Through Adversity
The protagonist of Reggae Silver embarks on a compelling journey, emblematic of resilience and integrity.

As he navigates through the industry’s trials, themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of love and family emerge.

Smith uses these themes to underscore the protagonist’s ascent from injustice, highlighting how talent and resilience can triumph over adversity, and reclaiming a rightful place in society.

A Symphony of Themes
Reggae Silver thus complements Smith’s portfolio, showcasing his adeptness at exploring complex social issues through relatable characters and engaging plots.

The novel not only entertains but also enlightens, encouraging readers to reflect on their own moral choices and the intrinsic values that guide them through life’s various challenges.

A Legacy of Literary Excellence

His published books range from slavery legends to piracy in the Caribbean, lynchings in America, the Underground Railroad movement in Canada, Jamaican Maroons in Canada, adventure tourism, marriage issues, and Jamaica’s most invisible export – reggae music.

As Horane Smith prepares to release The Queen’s Plate, his fifteenth novel, his career continues to be a beacon of inspiration and a source of profound narratives that resonate deeply with readers around the world.

From the scenic cliffs of Lover’s Leap to the challenging corridors of the music industry in Reggae Silver, Smith’s works persistently invite reflection on the human condition, emphasizing the power of resilience and the importance of integrity.

His novels are not only a tribute to Jamaican culture and history but also a call to action, urging us to confront and address the social injustices and moral dilemmas that pervade our lives. As readers eagerly await his latest work, it is clear that Horane Smith remains a pivotal figure in literature, whose stories are destined to be cherished and deliberated for generations to come.

Horane Smith’s Milestone Achievement
With The Queen’s Plate, Smith marks not only another milestone in his prolific career but also reinforces his role as a storyteller who profoundly impacts his readers’ perspectives on society, history, and personal growth. His novels continue to inspire, challenge, and offer hope, proving that literature can indeed change the world, one story at a time.

You can Check out Horane’s work at www.horanesmith.com.

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Posted on March 23, 2023March 23, 2023 by Horane Smith — Leave a comment

THE ABENG BOOK CLUBPresents a Discussion of

“Lover’s Leap”
By Horane Smith

Two young slaves have eyes for each other, while their master’s daughter has similar
intentions. A 1700ft. Cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea is their
secret hideout – a hideout with deadly consequences. As the drama unfolds, the three
players are faced with choices……Come and discuss the book with the author.

SATURDAY, March 25, 2023
7:30pm – 9:00pm DST

Please Join Us Via Zoom at

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88076442306?pwd=dFVMaTdMMFZISWZ3TEU3TlB5WDNHQT09

Meeting ID: 880 7644 2306
Pass Code: 368145

Posted on May 15, 2019May 15, 2019 by Horane Smith — Leave a comment

LOVER’S LEAP NOVEL SUBJECT OF NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDY

One of Horane Smith’s most popular novels, Lover’s Leap: Based on the Jamaican Legend is attracting international attention again. The novel, published to international acclaim in London, England in June 1999, is the subject of a major study that focuses on the enslaved African in Caribbean literature as it affects master-slave relationships.

The study “Fight, Love, and Flee, Cognitive Dissonance in Horane Smith’s Lover’s Leap,” has been published in Orbis Litterarum, an international journal devoted to the study of European and American literature. Concentrating on literary theory and the principles of literary history and criticism, Orbis Litterarum publishes articles of a theoretical nature and analyses of specific works genres periods.

The study’s author Noha F. Abdelmotagally is associate professor at the Department of English, Faculty of Al-Alsun (Languages), Ain Shams University, Cairo, where she teaches literature and research methodology. She is interested in comparative studies. She has published several articles, both in English and in Arabic, on literature and interdisciplinary studies, feminism, ecology, and sociology. She has participated in various conferences and research projects and supervised a number of dissertations.

Professor Abdelmotagally noted, “The subjectivity of the enslaved African is underexplored in the critical literature on Caribbean slavery, and besides, psychoanalysis in Caribbean literature is an underused critical approach.” She said Horane Smith “is one of the writers who breathe life into the past in their texts. Smith retraces and connects up with the past through the gateway of legends that usually form part of the group’s history, documenting and reinterpreting crucial historical moments. He uses legends to reconceptualize a past that has been deliberately distorted in white discourse. The ceaseless presence of the past in his texts also enables him to uncover what is hushed up in history and literature.”

The study tackles the subject of mixed relationships in plantation life and the emotions and behaviours that emerged, especially among slaves. The professor said she was, “enticed to braid Leon Festinger’s Cognitive Dissonance theory (1957) with Frantz Fanon’s “psychoanalytical interpretation of the black problem” in Black Skin White Masks (1952) to delve deep into Jerome’s (Lover’s Leap’s main character) inner self and examine how he responds to attitude and behavior inconsistencies produced within various contexts of hegemonic power.”

The study is extensive and cites various authors and experts in the field of psychoanalysis, historians and sociologists, to give credence to her conclusive theory of cognitive dissonance (two-ness) in Jerome Stewart. “By breaking open the past’s Pandora’s Box, Smith raises the concepts of identity and identification. Conjuring the past is his sonde for renegotiating the present and improving the future. The encompassing view and universal concerns of Lover’s Leap create a kind of identification that crosses the spatio- temporal borders of slavery. Smith stresses the direct relation between the absence of selfhood and physical and/or mental enslavement. Most modern Caribbean black men, still accommodate ‘their psyche to racist information,’ and psychologically and largely depend on the ‘colonial and Eurocentric knowledge systems’ for identification (Sutherland, 2011, 1187). They still submit to the white culture supremacy and racial values—the leading ideology up to the present time—which is why they do not reach a state of real harmony. Like Jerome, they bear a double burden: they are deprived of their own culture and, concurrently, are prevented from really entering the white hegemonic culture. Smith attempts to raise the Caribbean black men’s awareness and understanding of the institutions of slavery and the colonial forces that have conspired to disturb their psyches and de- Africanize them, making them lose touch with their harmonious selves and their roots,” the Professor noted.

Horane Smith is the author of fourteen novels; seven of them explore slavery themes in Jamaica and North America. Lover’s Leap remains his best-selling novel 20-years after publication. Dawn at Lover’s Leap, the sequel to Lover’s Leap: Based on the Jamaican Legend was a finalist in the USA Booknews Bestbook Award for Historical Fiction. Smith was born at Yardley Chase, St. Elizabeth, the same district where Lover’s Leap is situated. The site is currently one of the major attractions on Jamaica’s south coast and copies of the novel are also available there for sale as well as major online retailers and at www.horanesmith.com.

More information on the study is available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/oli.12212#

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Horane Smith — Leave a comment

Horane Smith confirms for Palaver International Literary Festival

One of the most prolific Caribbean-Canadian novelists of his generation, Horane Smith comes to Palaver 2016 with12 published titles; a growing reputation as a writer; and tributes and accolades from many who are themselves established.

The 2016 Palaver International Literary Festival takes place in Wasaga Beach, Ontario, August 6 and 7, 2016.
Horane Smith’s first success, Lover’s Leap: [ISBN: 0 75410 589] was published in the United Kingdom in 1999. Over the next 15 years, Horane was to complete 11 other books, including:

Underground to Freedom (2000)
Port Royal (2001)
The Lynching Stream (2003)
Reggae Silver (2004)
Dawn at Lover’s Leap (the sequel) (2006)
Seven Days in Jamaica. (2008)
Marooned in Nova Scotia – A Story of the Jamaican Maroons in Canada (2010)
When A Marriage Goes Blue (2014)
The Will To Live (2015)
Shortcut to Hell (2015)

This list of titles, published in such a relatively short period, is indeed impressive. However, comments about his writing have been equally impressive.
Lover’s Leap attracted attention on both sides of the Atlantic. A tragic love story which survived European enslavement of Africans in the Caribbean, Smith’s Lover’s Leap gave new life to this haunting, romantic Jamaican folk tale. It was selected as one of two novels to be used in a case study into mixed-fixed relations at the 10th International Conference on the Social Sciences and the Humanities, in Montreal, Canada, in 2012.

“Their secret meeting place was a stunningly beautiful 1700-foot cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Could their love remain a secret forever? A choice had to be made…between wealth or poverty, slavery or freedom, true love or lust.”

British best-selling British author, the late John Prebble recognized Smith’s talent when he commented on Lover’s Leap: “…read it with great admiration. …One of our best emerging writers.” And Priscilla Cotterall, British book reviewer described it as“propelling…vividly defined”. “Enough suspense to keep you turning the pages,” wrote Colin Rickards, Canadian book reviewer; while the Ottawa Citizen commented: “Horane Smith is no ordinary novelist.” And in Jamaica, the setting for the centuries-old tale, Barbara Ellington of the Daily Gleaner stated: “Once you have started you will want to finish it.”

Lover’s Leap was quickly followed by Underground to Freedom, a novel about the relentless pursuit of freedom from slavery in the ‘Deep South’ of the United States to the ‘promised land’ of Canada. This book was described by a high school teacher in Kentucky as “…a compelling, touching chronicle of a thirst for freedom.”

Horane Smith was born in a country rich with history. Indeed, its notorious city of Port Royal, at one time the haunt of some of the most vicious pirates that ever sailed the high seas came to be regarded as the wickedest city in the Western Hemisphere. Smith’s Port Royal, published in 2001, brought him a fair measure of respect from literary critics. Phillip Mascoll, then at the Toronto Star newspaper complimented: “If only historical textbooks were as well written.” Colin Rickards felt: “Horane Smith has grown from strength to strength and isn’t afraid to take on a big canvas. Read it!”

Lynching Stream, published in 2003, brought forth more positive comments. Denise Burnett (CIUT-FM89.5) said: Wow! A very good read. I’m recommending it for my book club.” Bryan Rigg, author/reviewer (Covered and Bound, CHRY-105.5-FM.) was unequivocal:“A wonderful story, I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

In Marooned in Nova Scotia, Horane Smith tells the story of a fearless Maroon warrior who, in 1796, along with his compatriots became the first settlers from the Caribbean to settle in Canada.
His 13th novel Morant Bay: Based on the Jamaican Rebellion is set for publishing later this year or early next year. The novel is set in 1865 Jamaica, when the struggle for better working and living conditions for former slaves, erupted in a major rebellion from which emerged two of the nation’s national heroes.

Horane Smith comes to the Palaver International Literary Festival with an impressive body of work and decades of experience and talent to share. He is the first recipient of the BURLA Award for outstanding contribution to African-Canadian and Caribbean Literature. He has also been recognized by the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation Canada for outstanding contribution to Jamaican literature.

Horane appears at the festival’s Books and Authors event at Wasaga Beach Area 4 on Sunday August 7, where the day begins with a magnificent themed Caribbean Brunch Buffet presented by the award-winning Chef Selwyn Richards.
www.horanesmith.com