20+ Literary Festivals in Canada

From BC to Newfoundland--a year full of literary festivals.

the panel discussion before the panel discussion--that's me on the right
photo by bdyck

I've greatly benefitted from attending writing festivals in so many ways--skill development and inspiration and encouragement and networking and improved self-esteem and... Whether you're attempting to write your first story or just released your 50th book, I highly recommend attending one or several. Here's a year's worth--for your consideration (this isn't a complete list, but I've tried). If you're disappointed by the brevity of the list--bless you--there are more extensive lists at the end of the post.

March

Growing Room:  A Feminist Literary Festival
Vancouver, BC

Reviewing Lit Fest New West

April

Sidney Lit Fest
Sidney, BC

Festival Frye Festival

News Brunswick

the largest literary event in Atlantic Canada

bilingual

Imagination Writers' Festival

Quebec

May

Festival of Literary Diversity (Fold)
Brampton, Ontario


Ottawa International Writers Festival
Ottawa, Ontario


Festival of Trees
'the largest literary event for young readers in Canada'
Waterloo, Ontario 
London, Ontario 
Toronto, Ontario 

Alice Munro Festival of the short story
Huron County, Ontario

June

Take a break. Read a book. Write a story.

July

Lakefield Literary Festival
Lakefield, Ontario


Read by the Sea
River John, Nova Scotia

WordPlay

Children's Festival

River John, Nova Scotia

Ochre Fest

Ochre Pit Cove

Conception Bay, Newfoundland

Saskatchewan Festival of Words
Moose Jaw

August

Writers at Woody Point
Bonne Bay, Newfoundland

Ignite Your Soul Author Event

London, Ontario

September 

The Word on the Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Word on the Street
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Telling Tales Festival
'inspiring a love of reading and raising awareness of literacy'
Rockton, Ontario


The Winnipeg International Writers Festival (Thin Air)
Winnipeg, Manitoba


Kingston Writers Fest
Kingston, Ontario


Word Vancouver
Vancouver, BC

Reviewing Word Vancouver

Victoria Festival of Authors
Victoria, BC

Lunenburg Lit Festival

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

October

Whistler Writers Festival
Whistler, BC


Book Bash Canadian Literature Festival
Chatham-Kent, Ontario


Ottawa International Writers Festival
Ottawa, Ontario


Toronto International Festival of Authors
Harbourfront Centre
Toronto, Ontario


Stratford Writer's Festival
Stratford, Ontario

Surrey International Writers' Conference
Surrey, BC

November

WordsFest

London, Ontario

December, January

Cuddle up with a good book and dream of next year's literary festivals

more extensive lists...

Canadian Festivals and Reading Series
The Writers' Union of Canada



Question:  (maybe you have the same one) Why are there no Canadian literary festivals in June? Huh?

Lit Fest New West Photojournalism by Leanne Dyck

The overriding lesson of this festival:  there's value in "free".

Friendly, helpful volunteers to greet me.

"Yes. It's just around the corner. Here I'll go with you."

"Oh, there it is. Just around the corner. Thank you."

Lit Fest New West understands...

that authors who are working to establish their career don't have much money--so there's no admission

that authors' time is valuable:  so they pay participating authors

Lit Fest New West obtains financial support from...

the city of New West

the province of B.C.

the country of Canada? Um. Nope.

Lit Fest New West was held in Douglas College

Next year?

It will be held in a new venue.

Workshop:  Crafting a Killer Mystery

Colleen Cross (thriller author), Sharon Rowse (historical mystery author), Robin Spano (traditional mystery author)

What I got from this workshop...

Know the rules so that you know what you're breaking.

Characters should be...

-clever, resourceful

-excellent at their profession

-courageous

-self-sacrificing

-out-law (follow their own moral code--which is the author's code)

-wounded (i.e. have flaws)

In every story the character must face professional, personal, and private challenges.

The villain should be a good match for the hero.

About the story...

The story is the reason the reader keeps reading.

Why should the reader care?

-to see the character develop

-to see what happens next

-to see what is going to challenge the hero

How you write is individual

Find your style and go with that

Keep your interest in the story and the story will continue to be interesting for the reader

How to build tension...

-Know the hero's goal and keep him from reaching it.

-Layer in smaller goals

-Weave in sub-plots with main plot

Write the entire scene then cut it off before the conclusion. This creates cliff hangers.

Always be aware of the ticking clock

Books recommended by the authors...

The Writers' Journey

Save the Cat

On Writing

(Photo from the web)

Presentation:  Memoir:  The Long and Short of Writing

Presenter:  J. J. Lee

What I learnt...

-The reader will feel something because I, the writer, felt something

-To continue to writer your memoir--continue to wonder as you are wondering

-Your reader will love you because you've shared something profound

-Writers are time travelers

-Your writing should open you up and give you something

3 Things the Writing Can Do

1) develop the character

2)advance the plot

3)reinforce the theme or nature of the conflict

Authors and Small Publishers Panel Discussion

Anvil Press and Leaf Press

Anvil Press 'Contemporary Canadian Literature with a Distinctly Urban Twist' Publisher:  Brian Kauffman

Leaf Press 'is an independent press located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Ursula Vaira founded Leaf in 2001 as a poetry chapbook publisher.'

I'm very glad I attended this panel discussion as it gave me a unique insight into life on the other side of the pen. What's it like to be a small publisher in Canada? What challenges do you face? How do you survive? 

It's my pleasure to report that I found dedicated people who truly care about not only their books but also their authors. And as one of the publishers pointed out, the relationship between a publisher and an author is like dating. It's nothing personal. Sometimes it's not just a good fit. 

Somewhere deep inside I knew this. But it was nice to hear a publisher say it. (Instead of read on a rejection letter.)

Recommended sites:

Association of Canadian Publishers

The Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia

A Critical View of the Arts

Presenter:    Max Wyman

This presentation had a profound effect on me. In fact, it made me change the name of one of the pages of this blog from 'Book Reviews' to 'Book Raves'. I knew I wasn't a reviewer. But I didn't realize how erroneous it was to title my page 'Book Reviews'. This error wasn't pointed out by the presenter. But as he outlined the qualities necessary to write reviews I realized I didn't possess them. Nor did I care to acquire them. The net is a negative place. As Mr. Wyman did pointed out, thanks to the social media, everyone is playing critic and not signing their names. This lack of accountability is dangerous. But now that the animal has been unleashed there doesn't seem to be anything that can be done. Balance is called for. That's why I'm proud to re-title my page 'Book Raves'. Will I rave about your book, if you ask me? Um, no. However, if I read your book and enjoy it I will be happy to sing its praises as well as yours.

A critic is not a...

consumer reporter

booster

judge

A critic needs to...

be willing to make connections

go into the experience with an open-mind

be able to describe the experience--how they've been changed

pay attention all at once

to be honest

be able to and love to write well

write without the use of jargon

must have a passion for the media (dance, music, art, literature) that you are engaged with.

must be able to say why you liked/disliked

to be aware of your own limitations

do their homework

In the past critics were policed by their editor. No one is policing them now.

Mr. Wyman would like to receive your critics on a novel he was recently written. Visit:  www.maxwyman.com

And there's still more...

That's a lot for free. But add to this a over two hour showcase mixing author readings, spoken word, dramatizations and music and you have Lit Fest New West. And so I ask you, where will you be next April?

Showcase At Douglas College (from the LitFest NewWest 2013 brochure)

Act I

Candice James - Poet Laureate

Don Hauka - Author

Michael Hetherington - Author

Sylvia Taylor - Author

Bob Robertson & Linda Cullen - Author

Intermission

Act II

Douglas College/Kwantlen University Percussion Ensemble

Royal City Literary Arts Society

Renee Saklikar - Poet and John Oliver - Composer

Shadows & Dreams Theatre Company

J. J. Lee - Author

C. R. Avery - Music & Spoken Word