I don’t want to turn this blog into my personal shill-space, but I’m pretty proud of the fact that Keith and I (with a couple of others — and Amy is plenty involved, too!) have managed for three years to put on an annual book festival in our hometown.
It’s called Words Alive, and we bring a few authors to downtown Brandon for readings and workshops. The first year, we had more workshops than we knew what to do with. Last year, we just had readings. This year, I think we’ve got a great balance:
Two evenings of readings as well as two daytime workshops.
The evening of October 23, beginning at 7 p.m., will feature West Coast author Des Kennedy as well as Christina Penner. [That's tonight!]
The following day, at 10 a.m., freelance writer and editor Jim Chliboyko will give a workshop, guiding participants in the ins and outs of making a living as a writer. In the afternoon, novelist Michael Van Rooy will teach some of the finer points of the craft of writing.
Saturday evening, again beginning at 7 p.m., two more authors will be on hand to read and discuss their work. Margaret Sweatman will kick off things off, followed by East Coaster Joel Thomas Hynes.
We’ve had incredible success picking authors in the past few years — we’ve managed to snag several authors just before they win prizes or get TV deals. I credit Keith and his bookstore workings for that.
That authors, too, are very gracious with their time, and we’ve managed great conversation that goes late into the evening.
I’m heading out right away to pick up the booze for the weekend, so if you’re in the area, come on by!
Grant Hamilton
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UPDATE: Keith reminds me that AbsurdIntellectual.com is registered as an official sponsor of Words Alive this year. The blog (courtesy me) is covering the hosting costs of the Words Alive website, as well as printing costs for the pamphlets, the posters and some of the other promotional material. Humbly, I also note that I designed the website (such as it is) and the promotional material.
And a fine design it is. (Christina Penner called, she’s on her way to the store! Authors are my rockstars. Hence the whirlwind trip to Winnipeg last night to meet Salman Rushdie.)
Get me and my name-dropping….
Shh, I want to feature the evening with SALMAN RUSHDIE WHERE WE MET HIM AND GOT BOOKS SIGNED as a future post.
Please disregard my earlier comments about Sir Rushdie. Nothing to see here, except my signed books.
PS: Words Alive is FREE. Thanks to the generous support of the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation and Renaissance Brandon. Thanks also to the support provided by Pennywise Books and South End Sobeys.
[...] I blogged about it yesterday, the first day of this year’s festival, but today is the real meat. We’ve got workshops at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the business of writing as well as on the art and craft of writing, with Jim Chliboyko and Michael Van Rooy. [...]