Antonio Michael Downing

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Antonio Michael Downing grew up in southern Trinidad, Northern Ontario, Brooklyn, and Kitchener. He is an author, musician and speaker based in Toronto. His 2010 novella, MOLASSES (Blaurock Press), was published to critical acclaim. In 2017 he was named by the RBC Taylor Prize as one of Canada's top Emerging Authors for nonfiction. SAGA BOY, his 2021 (Viking Canada / Milkweed Editions) memoir, an enthralling account of a young immigrant's search for belonging, was shortlisted for both the 2021 Speaker's Book Award and the 2021 Toronto Book Award. Giller winner Ian Williams called it: "...the triumph of Blackness everywhere--the irrepressible instinct for survival in a world where Blacks are prey." His children's picture book STARS IN MY CROWN is slated for release with Tundra Books in 2024 and his novel LITTLE ORPHAN BLUE is slated for release with Simon and Schuster also in 2024. When not writing Antonio Michael performs and composes music as John Orpheus.