More than two and a half years of intentional community building and narrative reclamation has culminated in the launch of a landmark literary collection that centers underrepresented local voices from the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia.
Titled *Tiwé Listwa: Emerging Voices from Saint Lucia*, the new anthology brings together short fiction, poetry, and personal essays from 12 up-and-coming Saint Lucian writers, and made its public debut on August 8 at the Finance Administrative Centre. The launch was intentionally scheduled as a core feature of the island’s annual Emancipation celebrations, aligning with the project’s core mission of centering local historical narratives.
The idea that grew into this published collection traces back to early 2024, when Amanie Mathurin—founder and creative director of the Listwa Collective, as well as the anthology’s lead editor—found herself fixated on a deceptively simple question: what would unfold if emerging Saint Lucian creators were given dedicated space, mentorship, and community to nurture their craft and claim their unique narrative voices?
That question bloomed into the organization of the inaugural three-day Tiwé Listwa Writing Retreat, held in October 2025 on the grounds of a former 19th-century slave plantation. Unlike generic writing workshops that focus solely on technical skill building, the retreat was designed to push participants to engage deeply with Saint Lucia’s layered history, distinct cultural identity, and unwritten local stories, encouraging creators to frame these narratives from their own lived perspectives rather than external interpretations.
“At the heart of this idea was a desire to help them see writing as more than storytelling and imagination,” Mathurin explained. “I wanted them to appreciate writing as an exercise in courage and a tool of narrative justice. A means of confronting the past, making sense of the present, and imagining new possibilities for the future.”
Over the retreat weekend, participating writers attended workshops covering everything from story structure and publishing navigation to cultural identity, oral folklore, and historical research. Activities included hands-on traditional oral storytelling sessions, deep dives into personal family lineage, and guided tours of the former plantation grounds, where participants processed the site’s complex history. Renowned Jamaican poet and author Kei Miller also joined the retreat to share his decades of experience and industry insight with the emerging creators.
The resulting anthology features work from a diverse cohort of new writers: Tia Christopher, Monique Auguste, Petana Emilaire, Lyndell Halliday, Kerwin Eloise, Hayzan Louis, Kristina Daniel, Amanda Faye Clarke, Amanie Mathurin, Tresha Lionel, Danielle Ayla Du Bois, and Christa St Ange. Their contributions span a wide range of themes, from retellings of local folklore and explorations of colonial history to intimate personal reflections on family, community, and modern Saint Lucian identity. Mathurin notes the finished collection balances deep affection for the island with thoughtful reflection on its ongoing social and cultural challenges.
“*Tiwé Listwa: Emerging Voices from Saint Lucia* is many things. It is at once a love letter to our homeland and an expression of quiet concern; a plea to be heard and a call to care,” Mathurin said.
For the contributing authors, the journey from retreat brainstorm to published book has been a transformative, almost surreal experience. Christa St Ange, one of the featured writers, described the project as a one-of-a-kind opportunity for local creators.
“It is a carefully crafted Saint Lucian writing space and experience like no other,” St Ange said. “I was able to pick at and probe so many thoughts that were triggered during our writing retreat. The outcome: A love letter to Saint Lucia posing as this impressive anthology of exceptional written works. I am immensely proud to be one of those featured.”
Fellow contributor Hayzan Louis echoed that sentiment, noting the full emotional weight of the experience was impossible to anticipate before taking part. “Living this experience, from the retreat to the launch, honestly felt like a dream. I could have never imagined the range of emotions I would feel … from being part of such an enlightening retreat surrounded by so many inspirational people, to creating a piece of my own that could hopefully inspire others.”
The launch event itself held a special surprise for the participating authors: none had seen the final printed volume or its cover art before the official unveiling. The original cover artwork, created by artist Jonathan Gladding, was revealed to the creators and audience for the first time that evening. Ten of the 12 contributors read excerpts from their work during the event, which also featured cultural performances from violinist Michael Fletcher, vocalist Shan Lucien, and the Youth In Arts masqueraders. The Cultural Development Foundation provided funding to support the launch event.