Silent Water (& Dream Books) Productions
Honoring the Difficult, Diverse & the Divine
_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________
___________________
Our Mission
We will bring some of the most dynamic writers, artists and activists from diverse backgrounds to uplift books/art and spark change. The Diversity Project is a creative outlet dedicated to female and Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) voices, and a consulting agency supporting stores and venues looking to incorporate diverse representation to their customers and communities. The primary goal of The Diversity Project is to use various media platforms and promotional pieces to elevate unique BIPOC and female issues and stories.
Our Focus
Topical issues and relevant books will be presented by writers, other artists and agents of change. For too long BIPOC and women have been marginalized in the literary and activist circles, but recently their stories have become more appreciated and sought after. Now more than ever as the world is facing unique challenges and changing drastically on several levels, people need the healing aspect(?) of diverse and inclusive communities. As such, SWP will creatively and effectively connect the writers/artists with the targeted audiences and merchants.
Our Values
Educate I Entertain I Engage I Inspire
At SWP, we curate, promote and moderate live and lively topical interviews and other type of events with authors, artists and activists. We do so by using various media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook and other virtual outlets. Be it for our own SWP events or on behalf of our clients, we provide full service curation. From more simple one-on-one discussions, book promotions and launches, to complex special panel events, we bring all the necessary elements together. Whether virtually or in-person; whether intimate or larger functions, it all matters to us, and these presentations allow us and our clients to engage our audience.
Book Events Curator/Moderator
PAULA FARMER is an events programmer /projects manager and a professional host/moderator. In addition to her own interview program on Instagram, which is ongoing, she was a long-time employer at the legendary San Francisco Bay Area bookstore, Book Passage. As such, Paula programmed and hosted hundreds of author events during her tenure there. On the store's behalf, she was known for curating special panel events such as “Race in America” and “Immigration in America.” Additionally, she was selected to chair the Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee for the California Independent Booksellers Association (2019-2023). Paula was also selected by the American Booksellers Association (ABA) to be on their Diversity Equity & Inclusion committee board (2021-2023). Her background is as a news journalist/producer for outlets such as CBS Radio, ABC Radio, and currently a regular freelance film and book contributor and features writer for CultureVulture.net online arts magazine. For more information on Paula go HERE.
____________________
UPCOMING & ARCHIVED EVENTS
_____________
SPECIAL AUTHOR INTERVIEW EVENTS FOR Book Passage and other clients
Upcoming & Archive Client Events of Note
PRIDE PANEL 2024 In honor of PRIDE Month 2024, Book Passage is proud to uplift LGBTQ+ voices, stories and issues with a special panel discussion online June 18 at 5:30pm PT at YouTube.com/BookPassageTV. The event will feature exciting new and established authors on the literary landscape discussing their writings, the importance of Queer books and their take on political and social issues within the community.
Whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, this is a discussion you don’t want to miss!
Panelists include authors KB Brookins, Karl Dunn, Laura Gao and Ann Pellegrini
Free Online at YouTube.com/BookPassageTV
In honor of Women’s History Month 2024, Book Passage is proud to present a special panel event celebrating the impact of women writers, past and present. The panel is made up of authors of diverse backgrounds and writing in different genres, we will discuss among many things, the importance of women’s voices and stories in the still male-dominated literary landscape.
This will be a great opportunity to celebrate, have discourse, ask questions, and be inspired. Panelists include (alphabetical order) -
Margo Candela, Journalist / Author
Linda Gonzalez, Writer/Life Coach/ Strategist for BIPOC Businesses
Anita Gail Jones, Author/Oral Storyteller/ Voting Rights Advocate
Priscilla Wathington - Palestinian-American Poet / writer
___________________________________________________________________________
.
Speaking Of ..." interview series - Paula Farmer on Instagram Live in conversation
@paulawritesreviews
Upcoming IG Interviews
Cheyney McNight - Honoring Black History Month - Cheyney McKnight is the founder and owner of Not Your Momma’s History. She acts as an interpreter advocate for interpreters of color at historical sites up and down the east Coast, providing them with much needed on call support. She uses her clothing and primary sources to make connections between past and present events through performance art "Not Your Momma's History" consults with and aids museums, historical sites, historical societies, private businesses, etc. in developing specialized programming about slavery and the African experience within 18th and 19th century America. It also runs a YouTube channel that shows the day to day lives of Black people throughout American history.
Join the IG live discussion Tuesday, Feb. 24, 3:00 PST / 6:00 EST
Linda González - NEW YEAR. SAME SH*T. WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY! I love kicking off a new year and new IG Live season with friend-of-the-show, Linda González. She is a bilingual coach, writer/editor, and consultant with a focus on liberatory practices and multicultural wisdom. Underlying all her work is a focus on racial justice and systemic change through collaborative, interactive processes that address dynamics of power.
Linda is also a nonfiction writer, including two memoirs. Her latest is "Rest Like a Giant Tree," which explores why the importance of staying in the present moment is crucial to a life of meaning and happiness amid mass deportations, genocide, and vicarious trauma. This collection offers encouragement that, in the midst of so much, we can integrate all we are—good news in these times. Go to lindagonzalez.net for more information about this and all of Linda's books.
Join the IG live discussion TODAY! Jan. 7 @ 3:00 PT/ 6:00 ET
Yama Rahimi - "Speaking Of" movies from 2025 that will change your life! I'm putting on my film reviewer hat, along with friend-of-the-show and film critic, Yama Rahimi. We'll be discussing the best and most important films of last year and what to expect in the upcoming awards season. We will help you win your office's Oscar pool or at least determine which films are worth seeing on the big screen or saving for streaming at home. Either way, Yama and I have a great time debating the Best of 2025.
Join the IG live discussion Wednesday, Jan 14 at 3:00 PT / 6:00 ET
Recent Archived IG Interviews -
Denise Low - Speaking of NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH- Denise Low is the Former Kansas poet laureate who has taught over 25 years at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, where she founded the creative writing program. She is the author of several books, including House of Grace, House of Blood, a verse/archival text of the 1782 massacre of Lenape Christian converts by Pennsylvania militia. Other titles include Wing, and Shadow Light to name a few. Low is a founding board member of Indigenous Nations Poets.
Among other things, we'll be discussing the often problematic nature of Thanksgiving for the Indigenous community and why.
November 24, 2025 @ 3:00 PT / 6:00 ET
Philomena Polefrone - Speaking of BANNED BOOKS WEEK 2025- Philomena Polefrone is the Associate Director of American Booksellers for Free Expression, the free expression initiative of the American Booksellers Association. She holds a PhD in American Literature from Columbia University and is the author of The ABA Right to Read Handbook: Fighting Book Bans and Why It Matters (2024). We will discuss her role in advocating for intellectual freedom, the history of banned books, grassroots organizing, and the legal challenges involved in defending diverse literature.
Phoenix Armenta - In addition to being a community and climate justice activist, Armenta is an experienced Environmental Engagement Specialist, with a long history of working in the government relations industry. They are the senior manager for climate equity and community engagement at the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC). Among other issues, we'll be discussing how marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental issues, and how the current political climate and administrative policies are impacting environmental funding. We should all be aware, and maybe consider involvement in fighting for community and climate equity.
March 15, 2025 @ 3:00 PT/ 6:00 ET
Anna Malaika Tubbs - Influenced by her exposure to all kinds of cultures and beliefs, Anna is inspired to bring people together through the celebration of difference. Motivated by her mother’s work advocating for women’s and children’s rights around the world, Anna uses an intersectional lens to advocate for women of color and educate others in all of her projects. She takes from her academic background and produces content that is easy for others to connect with and understand. Her focus is on addressing gender and race issues in the U.S., especially the pervasive erasure of Black women.
In her groundbreaking and essential debut "The Three Mothers," scholar Anna Malaika Tubbs celebrates Black motherhood by telling the story of the three women who raised and shaped some of America’s most pivotal heroes: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. In greatly anticipated follow-up book, "Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden From Us," Malaika Tubbs recovers all that American patriarchy has tried to destroy.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MERCHANDISE
Are you tired of seeing the same ol' faces on book totes? They are often dead and monochromatic, and usually men. Not here. With the "Mixed Bag" selection we are featuring diversity and contemporary, along with some classic figures. The project is in early days, with varying stages of production. As soon as the inventory increases, you will be alerted and encouraged to buy for yourself, for friends, family and fellow book lovers.
ETC & CONTACT
For more information about our speakers series and our consulting services, contact Paula Farmer at [email protected]
For Book Reviews go HERE
For Film Reviews go HERE