Donate Your Aeroplan Points!
Bring internationally renowned authors to the 21st annual Vancouver International Writers Festival by donating your points.
http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/supportus/airmiles
This week in Writers’ Rooms Charlotte Gill discloses her preference for “cubby-like” writing spaces, natural light optional.
http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/rooms
Farley Mowat, now 87, will see his final book Otherwise, a memoir about the beginnings of his environmental activism, published this fall.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2008/06/11/mowat-autobiography.html
Author Indra Sinha has begun an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi to protest the neglect of the Bohpal disaster survivors who are still suffering from the effects of the devastating 1984 chemical leak.
http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2284875,00.html
17 free graphic novels for your downloading pleasure.
http://www.dailybits.com/17-sensational-free-and-downloadable-graphic-novels/
James Reaney, a national literary icon has passed away at the age of 81.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080612.wobitreaney0612/BNStory/Entertainment/home
AWARDS
Montreal writer Rawi Hage has won the IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards for his debut novel De Niro’s Game.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080612.wimpac0612/BNStory/Entertainment/home
Last year’s festival participants David Chariandy and Andrew Wedderburn are among the nominees are for this year’s First Novel Award.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2008/06/10/first-novel.html
The winners of the Aurthur Ellis Awards, which are presented in six categories for works in the crime genre, have been announced.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2008/06/06/arthur-ellis-08wins.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
Quill & Quire reviews Bill Gaston’s compelling new novel The Order of Good Cheer.
http://www.quillandquire.com/reviews/review.cfm?review_id=6071
Russell Smith is smitten with Vancouver author Caroline Adderson’s prose and ranks her most recent collection of stories, Pleased to Meet You, as his favourite book of the year so far.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080612.RUSSELL12/TPStory/?query=Russell+smith
Margaret Cannon delves into a handful of crime novels, among them Vancouver actor Stephen Miller’s second book The Last Train to Kazan.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080607.BKMAYH07/TPStory/Entertainment/Books
The Toronto Star reviews two new collections of poetry by Sachiko Murakami and Zoë Landale.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/439333
Alison Pick praises Orange Prize winner Linda Grant’s latest novel The Clothes on Their Backs.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080607.BKCLOT07/TPStory/Entertainment/Books
Of Amitav Ghosh’s new novel Sea of Poppies, the first book in what will be a trilogy, the Guardian writes that the most impressive passages are the closest to tragedy.
http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/generalfiction/story/0,,2284467,00.html
The NY Times offers an interview with Andre Dubus III and a review of his latest book The Garden of Last Days.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/books/10dubus.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/books/09masl.html?ref=books
The Toronto Star reviews Ursula K. Le Guin’s new novel Lavinia, an exciting excursion into a hidden corner of the epic world.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/439314
Michiko Kakutani is unimpressed by David Sedaris’s new book When You Are Engulfed in Flames but concedes that it contains a few gems.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/books/10kaku.html?ref=books
Hari Kunzru feels that Nam Le’s debut collection of stories, The Boat, is the stock product of a creative writing program and not necessarily indicative of his future work.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/books/review/Kunzru-t.html?ref=books
The Georgia Straight interviews Salman Rushdie.
http://www.straight.com/article-149225/salman-rushdie-roams-foreign-country-past
Short story guru Lorrie Moore on teaching, parenting and life in Wisconsin.
http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2284277,00.html
Louise Erdrich talks about her new novel The Plague of Doves.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/louise-erdrich-secrets-in-the-indian-file-841027.html
Haruki Murakami on the similarities between long distance running and writing novels.
http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/wellbeing/story/0,,2284358,00.html
EVENTS
THE WRITER’S STUDIO
Readings of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Thursday, June 12 at 7:30pm. Rhizome Café (317 E. Broadway). More information at www.janemellor.com/.
MICHAEL MEADE
Mythologist and storyteller, Michael Meade is the author of Men and the Water of Life. His new book is The World Behind the World: Living at the Ends of Time. Friday, June 13 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
POLIS IS THIS: CHARLES OLSON AND THE PERSISTENCE OF PLACE
Film traces American poet Charles Olson’s process of self-discovery and makes it clear why Kerouac, Ginsberg and others travelled to Glouchester to meet the father of literary postmodernism. Director Henry Ferrini will be present for a discussion at all three screenings. June 13-15. Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour Street). Info: www.vifc.org.
JEAN BARMAN
Author presents her new book British Columbia: Spirit of the People. Saturday, June 14 at 11:00am, free. Chapters Metrotown (4700 Kingsway). More information: 604.431.0463.
SPRING BOOK HATCHING
The Children’s Writers and Illustrators of BC invite you to a celebration of the release of the latest books by local children’s authors and artists. Saturday, June 14 at 1:00pm, free. Peter Kaye Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
EVE LAZARUS AND YOUR HOUSE
Eve will read from her book At Home with History: the Untold Secrets of Greater Vancouver’s Heritage Homes, then she’ll tell stories about Vancouver’s more interesting houses and help you get started researching your own house’s history. Saturday, June 14 at 1:00pm. Indigo/Park Royal (900 Park Royal South, West Vancouver). More info: http://www.evelazarus.com.
TOM ZYTARUK
Author will sign copies of his new book Like a Rock: The Chuck Cadman Story. Saturday, June 14 at 1:00pm, free. Chapters Metrotown (4700 Kingsway, Burnaby). For more information please contact: (604) 431-0463.
KAREN X. TULCHINSKY
Join author Karen X. Tulchinsky for a lively and intimate discussion of this year’s One Book, One Vancouver selection, The Five Books of Moses Lapinsky. Saturday, June 14 at 2:00pm, free. Firehall Branch (1455 West 10th Avenue). Registration required – contact Firehall Branch at 604-665-3970 to register. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
MARNI NORWICH
Vancouver author celebrates the launch of her first collection of poetry, Wildflowers at My Doorstep, with music and song by Joanna-Chapman Smith, Tim Mar, and Zoey Wren. Saturday, June 14 at 7:00pm, free. Quaker Meeting House (1090 W. 70th).
VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
Features the debut of the 2008 Vancouver Poetry Slam team – Scruffmouth, Radar, Faust McKenzie, Zaccheus Jackson and Al Mader. Monday, June 16 at 9:00pm. Tickets: $5. Café Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial Drive). For more information, contact rc*****@ya***.ca.
GABOR MATE
In his new book, In the Realm of the Hungry Ghosts, writer and physician Gabor Mate looks at the epidemic of addictions in our society. Monday, June 16 at 7:30pm, free. Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. Please note: limited seating at this event. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
BILL GASTON
The author reads from The Order of Good Cheer. In alternating narratives, Gaston constructs two characters separated by time, space, and circumstance who nonetheless find common respite in celebration for its own sake. Tuesday, June 17 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY WITH EDEN ROBINSON
Three readings by best-selling author of Monkey Beach and Blood Sports. First reading: Wednesday, June 18 at 12:00pm at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (1961 East Mall, UBC). Second reading: Wenesday, June 18 at 7:30pm at the VPL Central Library. Third reading: Thursday, June 19 at 7:00pm at UBC Robson Square. Free admission. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca/.
CALVIN HELIN
Join Calvin Helin, author of Dances with Dependency: Indigenous Success Through Self-Reliance, as he embarks upon a 10,000 year mystical canoe journey through time and space. Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30pm, free. Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
STEPHEN MILLER
Launch of the author’s new book Last Train to Kazan. Thursday, June 19 at 7:00pm. White Dwarf Books, 3715 10th Ave. W. More info: 604-228-8223.
FEDERATION OF BC WRITERS LITERARY WRITES COMPETITION
This Year’s Category: Short Fiction, any genre (literary, mystery, romance, science fiction, etc.) First Prize: $500 and publication in WordWorks, Second Prize: $300, Third Prize: $150. Blind jury. Judge: Pauline Holdstock. Deadline: Postdated July 1, 2008. Web: http://www.bcwriters.com/literary.php. Visit website for guidelines.
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Produced by the Book News Collective: Hal Wake, Clea Young, Brenda Berck, Ann McDonell, and Sandra Millard.
Hal Wake
Artistic Director
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2008 Festival – 21-26 October inclusive
Vancouver International Writers Festival
Suite 202, 1398 Cartwright Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R8
Canada
p: 604 681 6330 x102
f: 604 681 8400
e: hw***@wr*********.ca
w: www.writersfest.bc.ca