David Sedaris Special Event
On November 1, join David Sedaris, the man Entertainment Weekly describes as “the preeminent humorist of his generation”. Tickets are still available to the general public, but you can still do your bit for the VIWF by using the special code “writers” when you book. A portion of the ticket revenue will then come to the Festival. Call 604 280 3311 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca. Event details.
Guess the Giller!
The VIWF is pleased to partner with Scotiabank Giller Prize in the Guess the Giller contest. Select the finalist you think will win the prize to win a VIP trip for two to the 2010 Scotiabank Giller Prize Gala in Toronto. Deadline is November 10, 2009. Details.
Writer-In-Residence
Check out the blog about 2009 Festival author Rukhsana Khan’s week-long residency in Prince Rupert, http://writology.wordpress.com/. Khan will be leading workshops with children and teachers until Friday this week.
William New reminds us that if we publish Canadian writers, teach their books, and discuss their writing, the arts in Canada will flourish as they did in the 1950s.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/1950s+still+teach+something+about+supporting+arts/2140614/story.html
The Toronto Star profiles 36-year-old Nicole Winstanley who was recently named publisher of Penguin Canada.
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/715821–the-girl-who-loved-books-so-much-she-grew-up-to-make-them
Rebecca James, an Australian kitchen saleswoman who dreamed of seeing her first novel published, has become the latest sensation in the publishing world. Her debut novel, Beautiful Malice, “a gritty psychological thriller for teenagers upward,” has sparked an aggressive bidding war world-wide.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125625947789002885.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
AWARDS
2009 Festival author Dany Laferrière has won the 2010 Blue Metropolis Literary Grand Prix. The $10,000 award recognizes both literary achievement and an international reputation and is given as part of the annual Blue Metropolis Montreal International Literary Festival.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2009/10/27/blue-met-prize.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
Robert Arthur Alexie’s novel Porcupines and China Dolls, about the grim and destructive legacy of the residential school system in a fictional First Nations community, is ultimately a book about redemption, writes the Georgia Straight.
http://www.straight.com/article-265144/alexie-weighs-burdens-north
The Globe & Mail reviews the latest volume of the Journey Prize Stories, selected by Camilla Gibb, Lee Henderson and Rebecca Rosenblum.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-journey-prize-stories-21/article1338508/
Michiko Kakutani of the NY Times writes that John Irving’s new novel, Last Night on Twisted River, showcases all of Irving’s liabilities as a writer while at the same time ranking as one of his most powerful works.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/books/27irving.html?_r=2&ref=books
Amit Chaudhuri, who participated in the Festival’s Tribute to Alice Munro on October 18, receives a favourable review of his novel The Immortals in the NY Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/books/review/Bahadur-t.html?ref=books
Quill & Quire writes that in her new novel Holding Still for as Long as Possible, Zoe Whittall shows off her talent for creating vivid characters.
http://www.quillandquire.com/reviews/review.cfm?review_id=6656
Karen Connelly fans will be enthralled by her latest book Burmese Lessons. Read a review in Quill & Quire.
http://www.quillandquire.com/reviews/review.cfm?review_id=6679
This reviewer has only one minor quibble with Anne DeGrace’s new novel, Sounding Line, which takes the incident of “Canada’s Roswell” as its starting point.
http://www.quillandquire.com/reviews/review.cfm?review_id=6637
The Globe & Mail reviews The Last Woman, in which John Bemrose writes with” poise and authority” about the Northern Ontario landscape he knows so intimately.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-last-woman-by-john-bemrose/article1326493/
William Deverell, author of Snow Job, admits to an obsession with proper comma placement and a neurotic phobia involving the caps lock key in this Q&A with the Toronto Star.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/festivalofauthors/article/716500–how-the-writers-write-q-a-william-deverell
Sherman Alexie talks about the commercial success of his 2007 YA novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and why he has turned down all offers to sell the film rights to the book.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/books/21alexie.html?ref=books
Malcolm Gladwell, who identifies mainly as a Canadian though he lives in New York, says that he’s never felt like such an outsider as during the current US healthcare debate: “You feel so non-American when you see these crazy people who have no clue about what it means to have universal healthcare. Never before have I been so reminded of my outsiderness than during this debate.” Read the full interview here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/oct/26/malcolm-gladwell-tipping-point-blink
EVENTS
VOYAGE TO OTHER WORLDS!
Vancouver fantasy authors D.D. Barant and A. M. Dellamonica voyage to other worlds as they read from their new alternate-universe novels. Thursday, October 29 at 7:30pm, free. Meeting Room, Level 3, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
EOIN COLFER
Author Eoin Colfer launches his commissioned sequel to Douglas Adams’s remarkable Hitchhiker series, And Another Thing… Talk. Q&A and book signing included. Show up in a Hitchhiker costume by 11:30 am for a chance to win autographed Hitchhiker series memorabilia and Chapters gift cards! Saturday, October 31 at 12:00pm. Chapters Granville.
A TRIBUTE TO ROBIN BLASER, DAVID DAWSON, GERRY GILBERT, KULDIP GILL AND BILLY LITTLE
An afternoon of remembrance and tribute to celebrate the lives and works of these fine Vancouver-area poets who passed away this past year. Featuring readings by George Bowering, Elizabeth Bachinsky, Meredith Quartermain, Oana Avasilichioaei, Jamie Reid and Miriam Nichols. Sunday, November 1 at 2:00pm. Celebration Hall at the Mountain View Cemetary. For more information, email po**********@va*******.ca.
ABBY DENSEN
Graphic novelist Abby Denson signs and reads from her new book Dolltopia. Launch party also featues cupcakes and a made-over doll contest. Sunday, November 1 at 2:00pm. Emily Carr Theatre (1399 Johnston, Granville Island). More information at www.abbycomix.com/.
GUY DAUNCEY
Author presents his book, The Climate Challenge: 101 Solutions to Global Warming. Drawing on working solutions from around the world, he reveals how we can reduce our carbon footprint. Tuesday, November 3 at 7:30pm, free. Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
TRACTORINA’S TRAVELS
Marina Sonkina, refugee of the Soviet Union, now a university professor in British Columbia, reads from her new book Tractorina’s Travels and Other Stories. Wednesday, November 4 at 7:30pm, free. Peter Kaye Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
VANCOWRIMO
Ever wanted to write a novel? Want to have a lot of fun writing with other people from the Lower Mainland? VancoWrimo is the Vancouver chapter of a writing challenge that takes place across the world every year in November. Thursday, November 5 at 6:30pm, free. For more information and additional dates and times, please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603. Sponsored by VancoWrimo (http://www.vancowrimo.ca).
ON EDGE READING SERIES
Reading by spoken word performer Al Hunter. Thursday, November 5 at 7:00pm, free. SB406, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Granville Island.
YARN BOMBING
Arsenal Pulp Press and the Book Warehouse present demonstrations by Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain and signings of their new book Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti. Thursday, November 5 at 7:00pm, free. Book Warehouse (1051 Davie Street).
DAL RICHARDS AND JIM TAYLOR
Dal Richards and author Jim Taylor lovingly look back on seven decades of keeping the music alive. Their new book, One More Time: The Dal Richards Story recounts the life story of the legendary bandleader. Thursday, November 5 at 7:30pm, free. Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
VANCOUVER: THE IMAGINED AND THE PROSPECTED
Green College writer-in-residence Oana Avasilichioaei hosts a discussion on writing about Vancouver with poets Roger Farr and Sachiko Murakami and novelist and short-story writer Lee Henderson. Thursday, November 5 at 8:00pm, free. Coach House, Green College (6201 Cecil Green Park Rd., UBC). More information at www.greencollege.ubc.ca.
POET AND PAINTER: A NORTH COAST COLLABORATION
Event featuring writer Leanne Boschman and illustrator Edward Epp who collaborated on the book, Precipitous Signs: A Rain Journal. Saturday, November 7 at 3:00pm. The Marion Scott Gallery, 308 Water Street.
JUNE HUTTON
June Hutton presents her debut novel, Underground, in a unique reading for Remembrance Day that recognizes Canada’s forgotten veterans of the Spanish Civil War. Monday, November 9 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.
HAIKU DEATH MATCH
Part of the Vancouver Poetry Slam series. Costumes encouraged. Featuring David Silverberg. Monday, November 9 at 8:00pm. Cost: $5-$10 at the door. Café Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Drive. Sign up at va************@gm***.com.
Upcoming
STEPHEN VOGLER
Author launches his book Only in Whistler: Tales of a Mountain Town. Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00pm, free. Aphrodite’s Organic Café (3598 West 4th Avenue, Whistler, BC). For more information, call 1-800-667-2988 or visit www.harbourpublishing.com.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Reading of 4 Poets with Daniela Elza, Peter Mortin, Al Remple and Onjana Yawnghwe. Thursday, November 12 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Library Robson Square, 800 Robson Street.
NOT A CONSPIRACY THEORY
Simon Fraser University researcher Donald Gutstein discusses his new book Not A Conspiracy Theory: How Business Propaganda Hijacks Democracy. Thursday, November 12 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level Central Library 350 West Georgia Street.
BOOK LAUNCH
Reading of The Life & Art of Frank Molnar, Jack Hardman & LeRoy Jensen, the second book in the series, The Unheralded Artists of B.C. Friday, November 13 at 7:00pm. Ferry Building Gallery (1414 Argyle Avenue, West Vancouver). RSVP to in**@mo********************.com.
ANTHONY PAGDEN
Author reads from his work, Worlds at War, which delves deep into the roots of the clash of civilizations between East and West that has always been a battle over ideas. Friday, November 13 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level Central Library 350 West Georgia Street.
JOYLAND
Vancouver writers from the online short fiction project, Joyland, read. Featuring Michael Turner, Rhonda Waterfall, Alex Leslie and Rachel Knudsen. Friday, November 13 at 8:00pm, free. W2 Perel Gallery, 112 West Hastings.
CELEBRATING BOOKS THAT MOVE YOU
An evening of adventure, art and wild beauty and celebrate Fall books that move you. Monday, November 16 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.
CYNTHIA FLOOD
Author reads from her book The English Stories. Monday, November 16 at 7:30pm, free. Peter Kaye Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
AFTER THE QUAKE
Pi Theatre and Rumble Productions present ‘after the quake’, based on the novel by Haruki Murakami, November 19-December 5 at Studio 16, Vancouver. Tickets available through www.vancouvertix.com. See http://pitheatre.com/quake for more info.
Produced by the Book News Collective: Hal Wake, Clea Young, Brenda Berck, Ann McDonell and Sandra Millard.
To unsubscribe, please visit http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/booknews.
Hal Wake
Artistic Director
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2009 Festival – 18-25 October inclusive
Vancouver International Writers Festival
Suite 202, 1398 Cartwright Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R8
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