2008 WRITERS FESTIVAL TICKETS ON SALE SEPT 15
The 21st Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival will present 69 events from October 21 – 26, featuring a lineup of award-winning and bestselling authors from around the globe including Joseph Boyden, Andrew Davidson, Damon Galgut, Steven Galloway, Amitav Ghosh, Lorna Goodison, Linda Grant, Rawi Hage, C.C. Humphreys, Shane Koyczan, Donna Morrissey, Sharon Olds, Paul Quarrington, Jonathan Raban, Nino Ricci, Gillian Slovo, Kinnie Starr, Meg Wolitzer and Ronald Wright. For complete event information please visit our website at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/2008festival. Ticket sales to the general public begin September 15 – you can find ticket information at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/2008festival/tickets.
Special Event
The Vancouver International Writers Festival and Random House of Canada present Miriam Toews. The bestselling author of A Complicated Kindness and Summer of My Amazing Luck will read from her new book, The Flying Troutmans. Appearing on the same bill will be Joan Barfoot, author of the Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlisted Luck and a new novel Exit Lines. Tickets are still available!
7:30 pm, Monday September 15
Granville Island Stage
1585 Johnston Street
Tickets $15/$13 plus $2 facility surcharge. Tickets are now on sale at VancouverTix: 604.629.VTIX (8849 or www.vancouvertix.com). For information call 604.681.6330.
Call for Volunteers
A few volunteers are still needed for kitchen day-time prep and Sunday Brunch set-up on our Catering crew, as well as for venue set up and strike shifts on our Production team. At least one French-speaking volunteer is needed for booksales/signings for day-time school events Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday of Festival Week. Please submit your volunteer registration through our website or contact volunteer co-ordinator Kathryn Fowler, kf*****@wr*********.ca or 604 681-6330 ext 101.
http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/volunteers
Writers’ Rooms
Linda L. Richards has a dreamy writing studio on the gulf island where she lives, but she is self-proclaimed “one of those people” who can write just about anywhere. Richards’ lastest book is titled Death was the Other Woman. She will be appearing in events 42 and 50 at the 2008 Vancouver International Writers Festival.
http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/rooms
Writers and cultural leaders in Latin America are calling for an end to what they say is a vendetta by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega against poet Ernesto Cardenal.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2008/09/06/cardenal-ortega-protest.html
The US publisher of the Harry Potter series recently premiered the first book in a planned ten-volume set called The 39 Clues, begging the questions: “how big is the market for a multimedia story, and can a phenomenon be conceived by a publisher rather than created by the public?”
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/09/03/39.clues.ap/index.html
AWARDS
Two of the authors on the shortlist for this year’s Man Booker prize will be appearing at the 2008 Vancouver International Writers Festival, Amitav Ghosh and Linda Grant.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2008/09/09/booker-shortlist.html
The shortlist for the Toronto Book Award has been announced. Barbara Gowdy and David Chariandy are among the nominees.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2008/09/09/toronto-book.html
To mark the 40th anniversary of the Booker prize the Guardian asked a judge from every year to tell an inside story of how the winner was chosen.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/sep/06/bookerprize.40years
BOOKS & WRITERS
Of her new novel The Flying Troutmans, author Miriam Toews says she began “with the idea of a road trip, with people on an ‘urgent mission’ in an enclosed space.” Read the full interview here:
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2008/09/09/f-toews-troutmans.html
Read reviews of The Flying Troutmans in the Globe & Mail and the Toronto Star.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080906.BKTOEW06/TPStory/Entertainment/Books
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/Books/article/491855
The Globe & Mail and The Georgia Straight review award-winning Ojibwa writer Richard Wagamese’s two new books: a novel, Ragged Company, and a memoir, One Native Life.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080906.BKWAGA06/TPStory/Entertainment/Books
http://www.straight.com/article-160972/wagamese-conjures-kinship
In her new novel Coventry, Helen Humphreys “aims her clear, telescopic eye” on the evening of November 14, 1940, when the German Luftwaffe launched a devastating air attack on the English city of Coventry.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080906.BKCOVE06/TPStory/Entertainment/Books
Jared Bland talks with Mary Novik about her novel Conceit and why John Donne is a sexier poet than Sir Philip Sidney.
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/blogs/category/theshelf/
The NY Times and The Washington Post review Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Marilynne Robinson’s new novel Home, a companion to her 2004 novel Gilead.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/books/09kaku.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/04/AR2008090402449.html
Annie Proulx’s latest book, Fine Just the Way It Is, her third collection of Wyoming Stories, adheres to her “brand of hard drama, hard irony, hard weather, and hard and soft characters blown about and many times destroyed by the powerful mix.” Read reviews in the New York Times and the Guardian.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/books/review/Carlson-t.html?ref=books
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/sep/06/fiction1
The stories in Anne Enright’s collection Yesterday’s Weather offer glimpses of alternative lives, and a “whiff of what if.” Both the New York Times and the Toronto Star provide reviews.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/books/review/Benfey-t.html?ref=books
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/Books/article/491853
Francine Prose’s new novel Goldengrove is gentler than her others, and “beautifully wrought” writes The NY Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/books/11maslin.html?ref=books
The best stories in Claire Keegan’s collection Walk the Blues Fields, “are so textured and moving, so universal but utterly distinctive, that it’s easy to imagine readers savoring them many years from now.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/books/review/Newton-t.html?ref=review
EVENTS
KIMMY BEACH
Alberta poet will read from her latest book, Cars (Turnstone, 2007), as well as sharing her work in progress – poems about her most recent obsession, James Bond. Thursday, September 11 at 7:30pm, free. White Rock Community Arts Council Gallery (#90, 1959 – 152nd Street). Sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts and the League of Canadian Poets. For more information, visit www.whiterockartscouncil.com.
JONATHAN HARRINGTON
In his new book, The Climate Diet: How You Can Cut Carbon, Cut Costs, and Save the Planet, author Jonathan Harrington has written a guide to the most important diet ever. Thursday, September 11 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
AGE OF CITIES
Vancouver Public Library invites you to join Brett Josef Grubisic as he reads from his novels The Age of Cities and Location. Thursday, September 11 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.
SCIENCE FICTION DISCUSSION GROUP
The group will discuss Michael Chabon’s The Yiddish Policemen’s Union, and Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis. Thursday, September 11 at 7:30pm, free. Our Town Cafe (245 E. Broadway). More information at da************@ya***.ca.
COOKBOOK SWAP
Vancouver Farmers Markets presents their annual Cookbook Swap. Bring all those cookbooks and food magazines that are taking up room on your shelves and trade them in for new-to-you cookbooks and magazines at the Trout Lake Farmers Market. Saturday, September 13 from 9am till 2pm. 15th Avenue & Victoria Drive in the parking lot of Trout Lake Community Centre. More information at www.eatlocal.org.
THRILLITERATE
An evening of poetry, storytelling, and recognizing literacy as a basic human right with seven queer women authors reading to raise funds for the women’s literacy program in the Downtown Eastside. Saturday, September 13 at 7:30pm. Tickets $5-$15. Rhizome Café (317 E. Broadway).
SIENA SUMMER
Book launch and reading of Ann Chandler’s first book, Siena Summer (Tradewind Books). Sunday, September 14 at 11:00am. Southlands Country Fair (7025 Macdonald Street). Admission to the fair grounds is by donation.
STEPHEN HAMMOND
Vancouver author discusses his new book on human rights Steps in the Rights Direction, joined by guest speaker Murray Mollard, executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. Monday, September 15 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay Room (Vancouver Public Library, 350 W. Georgia). More information at www.stepsintherightsdirection.com/.
NANCY WHITNEY-REITER
An evening with the author of Unplugged: How to Disconnect From the Rat Race, Have an Existential Crisis, and Find Meaning and Fulfillment as she explains how to take career breaks in easy-to-follow steps. Monday, September 15 at 7:30pm, free. Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch (350 W. Georgia).
GRANT HAYTER-MENZIES
The author will be reading from his new biography, Imperial Masquerade: The Legend of Princess Der Ling. Tuesday, September 16 at 7:30pm, free. Alice MacKay Room (Vancouver Public Library, 350 W. Georgia).
LEE HENDERSON
Author launches his debut novel, The Man Game. Wednesday, September 17 at 7:00pm. HOKO’S (362 Powell St.).
EMERGE 2008
An anthology of new writings by participants of The Writer’s Studio class of 2008, with guest reader Anne Stone, author of Delible, chosen as one of 35 “Books of the Year” by The Globe and Mail. Wednesday, September 17 at 7:30pm. Chivana (2340 W. 4th).
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. Thursday, September 18 at 7:00pm, free but registration required. To register, contact South Hill: 604-665-3965. South Hill Branch (6076 Fraser Street). For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by poet Jacqueline Turner and journalist Robert Wiersema. Thursday, September 18 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Robson Square (Plaza Level, 800 Robson Street). More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca/#September.
CAROLINE ADDERSON
Caroline Adderson, author of A History of Forgetting and Sitting Practice, will read from some of her many works, describe the Writer-in-Residence program and discuss how authors already working on a manuscript may request a consultation.Thursday, September 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.
KOOTENAY BOOKWEEKEND
The 5th Annual Kootenay Bookweekend will be held in Nelson, B.C. on September 19, 20 & 21st. The celebrity author in attendance will be Jack Hodgins, Governor General’s Award winner and bestselling author. His book to be discussed is Broken Ground. The other selections for this year are: To All Appearances a Lady by Marilyn Bowering, The Rug Merchant by Meg Mullens and Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje. Come join other passionate page turners for this stimulating event. For more information visit www.kootenaybookweekend.ca, or email kb*@ko*****************.ca, or call Victoria at 250-352-6197.
BRISINGR
Midnight launch at all three Kidsbooks locations of the third book in Chris Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle series. Friday, September 19 at 11:00pm. Complete information and purchase advance vouchers at www.kidsbooks.ca.
HISTORICAL FICTION WORKSHOP
A seminar on writing historical fiction for new and emerging writers by Karen X. Tulchinsky. No writing experience necessary. Just bring a pen, paper and your inspiration. Saturday, September 20 at 1:00pm, free. Peter Kaye Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. Free admission but registration required, call (604) 331-3728. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
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Produced by the Book News Collective: Hal Wake, Brenda Berck, Clea Young, 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