Mary Lou Finlay: As It Happened
The Vancouver International Writers Festival and Knopf Canada present the former host of As It Happens who will talk about her new book, The As It Happens Files.
7:30pm, Wednesday November 26
Frederic Wood Theatre, UBC
6354 Crescent Road
Special event ticket prices: $15/$13 Students and seniors. Vancouver Tix surcharges will apply to all tickets purchased through Vancouver Tix on-line or by phone. Tickets are now available through VancouverTix by calling 604-629-VTIX (604-629-8849).
http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/specialevents
The Globe and Mail discusses a trio of novels that capture the unease of the zeitgeist.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081101.BKREAD01/TPStory/Entertainment/Books
Seven leading US authors reflect on George W. Bush’s eight years in the White House, and the type of America that the 43rd president is leaving behind.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/nov/02/george-bush-legacy-usa
Studs Terkel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose interviews with ordinary Americans helped establish oral history as a serious genre, has died at the age of 96.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/01/books/01terkel.html?ref=books
Michael Crichton, author of The Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park and its sequel, The Lost World, has died at the age of 66.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/books/06appr.html?ref=books
AWARDS
Author Bill Richardson and illustrator Cynthia Nugent have been named the recipients of the second Time to Read: BC Achievement Foundation Award for Early Literacy for The Aunts Come Marching.
http://www.bcachievement.com/news/news.php?story=20081022&id=0
This year the John Llewellyn Rhys prize, intended to go to the best work of literature-fiction, non-fiction, poetry or drama-by a UK or Commonwealth writer aged 35 or under, features an all male shortlist.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/nov/03/john-llewellyn-rhys-prize
BOOKS & WRITERS
Otherwise, Farley Mowat’s memoir, is an “eloquent, passionate, witty and beautifully written work,” writes the Globe & Mail.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081101.BKFARL01/TPStory/Entertainment/Books
Deborah Ellis’ latest book, Lunch with Lenin, is a “powerful and skillfully executed collection of short stories about the impact of drugs, alcohol, and addiction on the lives of young people,” writes Quill & Quire.
http://www.quillandquire.com/books_young/review.cfm?review_id=6286
The Toronto Star reviews new collections of poetry by veteran performance poets Robert Priest and Sheri-D Wilson.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/528354
The CBC talks to David Bergen about the impetus for his new novel, The Retreat, about writing from the point of view of a four-year-old, and what his next novel will be about.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2008/10/29/f-david-bergen-the-retreat.html
Kate Atkinson talks about the origins of her bestselling novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/nov/01/atkinson
The Guardian talks with Toni Morrison about her new novel, A Mercy, and John Updike offers a review in The New Yorker.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/nov/01/toni-morrison
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2008/11/03/081103crbo_books_updike
Slate Magazine writes that Roberto Bolaño’s enormous novel, 2666, that he had almost completed when he died at 50 in 2003, has the “confident strangeness of a masterpiece.”
http://www.slate.com/id/2203471/
Stephen King’s new collection of stories, Just After Sunset, exposes potential nightmares in even the most mundane experiences. Read a review in the NY Times and an interview in Salon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/books/05masl.html?ref=books
http://www.salon.com/books/int/2008/10/23/stephen_king/
EVENTS
STAN DRAGLAND AND STAN ROGAL
Robson Reading Series presents Dragland, author of The Drowned Lands and Rogal, author of As Good as Dead. Thursday, November 6 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Robson Square bookstore (800 Robson).
THE SUSPECT IMAGINATION
Patricia Robertson, Hiromi Goto and Grant Buday discuss role fiction plays in developing imagination. Goto and Buday will also read from their works. Thursday, November 6 at 8:00pm, free. Green College (6201 Cecil Green Park, UBC). Information: 604.822.0676.
FROM WHERE WE SPEAK: FAMILY TO FAMILY
An intercultural exchange of readings and performances by student writers from Kuper and Galiano Island. Friday, November 7 at 7:00pm, free. Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 East Hastings St. More information at www.heartofthecityfestival.com.
TO THE DOGS
Book launch for Peter Culley’s pictorial essay on the human-canine connection. Friday, November 7 at 7:00pm, free. Presentation House Gallery (333 Chesterfield Ave, North Vancouver).
ROCKSALT: AN ANTHOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY BC POETRY
Mona Fertig and Harold Rhenisch present this new anthology which features new unpublished poetry and poetics from 108 BC poets, many of whom will be reading their work at this program. Friday, November 7 at 7:00pm, 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.
PRISCILLA COIT MURPHY
Author of What a Book Can Do: The Publication and Reception of Silent Spring discusses the issues and events surrounding Silent Spring’s publication and its role in current public debate. Friday, November 7 at 7:30pm, free. Labatt Hall (Room 1700, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 W. Hastings).
PETER FENNER
Talk and book signing by author of Radiant Mind: Awakening Unconditioned Awareness. Friday, November 7 at 7:00pm. Banyen Books, 3630 4th Ave. W.
GIRL MAN READING
Readings by Jennica Harper (What It Feels Like for a Girl) and Lee Henderson (The Man Game). Saturday, November 8 at 7:00pm, free. Pulp Fiction, 2422 Main St. Information at www.anvilpress.com.
DAVE MORRIS IS A MONSTER
Morris takes the stage to tell stories of fear, doubt, dread, and the grotesque side of human nature. Sunday, November 9 at 8:00pm. Tickets: $12. Presentation House Theatre (333 Chesterfield, North Vancouver).
SHEILA HETI
Readings and conversations with Sheila Heti, author of The Middle Stories and Ticknor. Monday, November 10 at 7:00p.m. Admission free but space is limited so please reserve a seat at cs***@sf*.ca. Segal Centre (Room 1400) SFU Harbour Centre.
ISHA
Author of Why Walk When You Can Fly: Soar Beyond Your Fears and Love Yourself and Others Unconditionally, offers a comprehensive introduction into her spiritual teachings. Monday, November 10 at 7:30pm, free. Alice MacKay Room (Vancouver Public Library, 350 W. Georgia).
A REMEMBRANCE DAY EVENT
Vancouver Memory Collective and GEIST present Sheila Heti, Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, Faith Moosang, Christopher Grabowski and Marcus Youssef. Tuesday, November 11 at 1:00pm, free. Listel Hotel, 1300 Robson St.
ON EDGE READING SERIES
Poet, critic and author Stephen Collis reads from his work. Thursday, November 13 at 7:00pm. South Building Room 406, Emily Carr University, Granville Island, Vancouver.
EVELYN LAU
Author reads from her latest collection of poetry, Treble. Thursday, November 13 at 7:00pm. Tickets: $35. Wine, non-alcoholic beverages & snacks will be provided & the author will autograph your copy of her book. Christianne’s Lyceum of Literature and Art (3696 8th Ave. W.). More information at www.christiannehayward.com.
KELLEY ARMSTRONG
Author signs copies of her latest in the Women of the Otherworld series, Living with the Dead. Thursday, November 13 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, Burnaby. Information: 604.431.0463.
JEAN BARMAN
Award-winning author Jean Barman will be giving a slide-show presentation and signing copies of her new book British Columbia: Spirit of the People. Friday, November 14 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch.
ECHOING VOICES
Spoken word, poetry and visual art by Adam Sol and 12 others. Thursday, November 13 at 7:30pm, free. Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery, 950 41st Ave. W. Information: 604.257.5111.
Upcoming
JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL
Appearances by Jo Blackmore, Dennis Foon, Edeet Ravel, Bonnie Stern and many others. November 22-27. Jewish Community Centre (41st and Oak, Vancouver). For complete details, visit http://www.jccgv.com/BookFest_08/index_BF08.htm.
VANCOUVER MANUSCRIPT INTENSIVE
Vancouver Manuscript Intensive 2009 runs from early January to the end of May. It is a unique face-to-face intensive in which your mentor initially reads and assesses your entire manuscript. A five-month plan for necessary revisions, reshaping, and new writing is then tailored for each writer. You will have five in-depth consults plus three mentor-led group meetings with other VMI writers. VMI mentors are authors Betsy Warland and Claudia Casper. Deadline for applying is December 1st, 2008. For all details go to www.betsywarland.com.
INTERNATIONAL HAIKU INVITATIONAL
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is proud to announce its fourth annual Cherry Blossom Festival during March/April 2009 and invites poets from British Columbia and around the world to submit one unpublished haiku about the cherry blossom in the spirit of international friendship. Selected haiku will become part of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Musically Speaking concert on March 28th, 2009, and be displayed on Vancouver TransLink city buses and SkyTrain cars during March and April. Please visit www.vcbf.ca for full submission details. Submissions must be received by December 19th, 2008.
Produced by the Book News Collective: Hal Wake, Brenda Berck, Clea Young, Ann McDonell and Sandra Millard.
To unsubscribe, please visit http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/booknews.
Hal Wake
Artistic Director
* * * * * * * * * * *
2009 Festival – 20-25 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