At Books by LR, we believe that every story has a home, every writer has a voice, and every creative dream deserves the chance to take shape. Today, we proudly celebrate one of our own Arlene Kasmally‑Dwarika, winner of the “Write the Future” Book Publishing Grant Fellowship, on the successful completion of her fellowship and the publication of her new book, Santa Rita: Echoes from the Village and Beyond.
Now available local in Trinidad and Tobago and worldwide, Arlene’s book stands as a testament to the power of community, mentorship, and the unwavering courage of a writer determined to bring her story to life.
Arlene entered the fellowship with a story rooted in memory, culture, and the textured rhythms of village life. What she has produced is more than a book. It is a cultural offering, a literary echo of Trinidad and Tobago’s soul, and a reminder that our small places hold big stories. Through vivid scenes and heartfelt reflections, Santa Rita invites readers into a world shaped by community, resilience, and the quiet wisdom of everyday people.
Reflecting on her journey, Arlene shared words that capture both the emotional and practical impact of the fellowship:
“When I received the grant from Books by LR in early 2026, it was a dream come true. The visibility of my writing project was now made clear on the horizon of publication. Sometimes you just need someone to hold your hand and walk you through. As an amateur, experienced writer or somewhere in between, the hassle of the other aspects of writing can be daunting; but with the help, vision and enabling capacity of others like Latoyaa, it can materialize. It was a pleasure working with Latoyaa in a comfortable environment and space. She was receptive, patient and committed. My message to all is to pursue your creative dream and accept the help of others that support and promote creative endeavors in our society. The unheard writer has a voice! Thank you for every step of the journey! Today, Santa Rita: Echoes from the Village and Beyond is made available for your pleasurable reading.”
Her words reflect the very heart of why Books by LR created the Write the Future Fellowship to remove barriers, nurture talent, and ensure that Caribbean writers are not silenced by lack of access, resources, or industry knowledge. Too often, brilliant manuscripts remain hidden in notebooks, laptops, and memory sticks because writers feel overwhelmed by editing, formatting, publishing, or marketing. This fellowship was designed to change that.
Working with Arlene was a joy. Her dedication to craft, her openness to learning, and her deep love for storytelling made the process collaborative and inspiring. She approached each stage from developmental editing, manuscript refinement, cover design, and publication with humility and determination. The result is a book that feels both intimate and universal, grounded in place yet resonant with readers everywhere.
Arlene’s success is also a reminder to emerging writers across the Caribbean: your stories matter. Your voice matters and there are spaces like Books by LR committed to helping you bring your work into the world with dignity, ownership, and creative freedom.
As we celebrate Arlene, we also celebrate the growing movement of Caribbean authors reclaiming narrative power and expanding our literary landscape. Santa Rita: Echoes from the Village and Beyond is now part of that legacy.
To Arlene: congratulations. Thank you for trusting Books by LR with your vision. Thank you for reminding us that the unheard writer truly does have a voice. And thank you for gifting readers a story that will echo far beyond the village.
Your future as an author is bright, and we are honoured to have been part of your journey.
Look out for the announcement of the second call for applications in November, 2026!
Books by Latoyaa Roberts 