Lots of goings on in the reading and writing community this fall. Festivals are everywhere including Halifax where I attended AFTERWORDS—an intimate local festival that started in 2019 and was co-founded by Stephanie Domet and Ryan Turner who are also the co-executive directors. Like the Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival, it has the charms of friendly people, small venues, and talented writers. Bookmark, my favourite, independent Halifax bookseller is a supporter.
Three finalists for the 2023 Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Prize.
Three of the finalists for the 2023 Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Prize read. Most of you will have encountered work by Irish Canadian author, playwright and screenwriter, Emma Donoghue, for example, the novel, film or play Room. And who knew that this personable and prolific writer walks on a treadmill installed under her writing desk while she’s doing historical research? I guess I could set up the bike trainer by my desk to improve my output. And I’m sure would help me if I’d done a PhD in eighteenth-century literature like she has.
On the plane ride to Halifax, I listened to the audiobook of her short story collection, inspired by curious and well-documenent, historical events involving women, The Woman Who Gave Birth To Rabbits. If you enjoyed the fully fictional book and film, The Wonder perhaps this collection is for you.
Her latest book, Learned by Heart, is also a historical fiction telling the story of the boarding school romance between orphaned biracial heiress Eliza Raine and the diarist Anne Lister. She read a cinematographic ballroom scene, so vivid and detailed.
New to me were the Métis writers, Amanda Peters and Michelle Porter who interviewed each other nestled into a comfy couch in St Matthew’s United Church. Both are fictionalized multi-generational family stories and I’m looking forward to reading both. For my bones, the pews (even with the pads) were a bit more challenging but the acoustics in the space were incredible.
We’ll find out who the winner is on November 21st.
Federation of BC Writers 2021 Literary Contest Anthology Launch
In my own writing life, the Federation of BC Writers is launching an anthology containing my short story, The Hummingbird. I’ll be reading a brief excerpt at the virtual event on Sunday, November 19th. You can register here. https://bcwriters.ca/event-5477800
Thanks for the update and your thoughts, Carolyne. And congratulations on the publication of your short story. I’m going to read it now!