Words Alive Literary Festival is Back – and Bigger!
Mark Your Calendar for the Festival on Sunday, September 20th
The Words Alive Literary Festival is back at the Sharon Temple on Sunday, September 20th from 10am-6pm. This family-friendly event is a celebration of Canada’s rich literary heritage and provides a showcase for authors, poets, storytellers, and musicians. The all-day event is only $5 for those age 16 and up. Children admitted free.
“The Festival has something for everyone,” says Words Alive Founder, Vali Stone. “For aspiring authors and poets, there are workshops, contests and the chance to participate in public readings. For readers and book club members our diverse author line-up ranges from the non-fiction of broadcaster Ted Barris writing about the experiences of soldiers from the past 100 years. Sisters Kristen Den Hartog and Tracey Kasaboski reflect on their families experiences in wartime Holland For fiction fans we have the splendid and tender writings of Priscila Uppal, Lauren Kirshner, Lee Gowan, Diana Fitzgerald Bryden, and Bruce Hunter. I hope everyone will also be inspired by wandering the Temple grounds listening to storytellers and musicians such as Red Slam Collective who will open this year’s fest.”
Award-winning and nominated writers of mystery fiction will be reading. Andrew Pyper, Jeffrey Round and Timothy Quinn will be reading from their latest books. First-time novelists with fabulous reviews include Andrea Gunraj and Lauren Kirshner (who is being mentored by Margaret Atwood), and humourist David Mckee.
“Poetry is an integral part of the Words Alive Festival,” says Stone, with readings from this year’s Griffin Poetry Prize winner A.F. Moritz. Other poets appearing range from award winners and nominees to new talents. GG nominee Barry Dempster will be there as will Molly Peacock, David Clink, Domenico Capilongo, Richard Grove, and Phoebe Tsang. As a special treat sonic poet Penn Kemp will perform at the Temple accompanied by musician Brenda McMorrow. Aspiring poets can also participate in the On-the-Spot Poetry Contest for the chance to win great prizes.
“Teens, tweens, and children have plenty to enjoy as well,” says Stone. We have Natalie Ghent, Tish Cohen, Mags Storey, and Rich Meyrick as well as five storytellers performing.
Two new features are also on the slate. Graphic novelist and artist Shane Rosenblatt together with illustrator and animator Kurt Lehner will hold workshops and be autographing their artworks. Two short plays by newcomer and Existere publisher Edward Fenner will also be read at the fest who will also hold a workshop for new writers on “Getting through the slush pile.”
The jam-packed schedule also includes workshops by Barry Dempster, Marie Campbell, Allyson Latta, Timothy Quinn, Marina Cohen, and Dulcimerhead. Storytellers Janice Turner, Lena Recollett, Bruce Lord, and Bruce Carmody will be weaving their tales throughout the day.
Words Alive is a literary festival like no other. The beautiful and historic Sharon Temple National Historic Site is located just 40 minutes north of Toronto. Admission is $5, though children under 16 are free, as is parking – your best all-day entertainment value. The local Lions Club will sell food and drink or you can bring a picnic lunch. For more on the festival, visit http://www.wordsalive.ca.
Prior to the festival will be the second of our new series of readings. Join us September 17th at 7pm at Cafe/Books and Things, 208 Main St.S., Newmarket for our Words Alive Open Mic Prose Night with Existere. Last month’s poetry event had over 40 attendees defying tornadoes to hear and speak some fine poetry!