It’s no secret that I am a big fan of the written word and I have a natural inclination to seek out Canadian writerly talent (shout out to Lynn Coady for winning the Giller Prize this week!) So, it’s a really good week when the second annual Wild Writers Literary Festival appears on the calendar.
And the festival is upon us: November 8-10, right in Uptown Waterloo (and a little bit in downtown Kitchener.)
Brought to us by Waterloo Region’s award-winning literary journal, The New Quarterly (TNQ), this festival is for writers and readers, bringing big-deal Canadian writers to town as well as shining a spotlight on our local big-deal talent, such as Carrie Snyder and Tamas Dobozy.
“The festival is about recognizing that KW is a hotspot of literary talent, and turning it into a literary destination,” says TNQ’s managing editor, Melissa Krone. “It’s also a way for us to do in person what we do on the page–identify and support talented, emerging writers and present them alongside more established writers we admire.”
Melissa says the festival also builds a community of Canlit lovers, both readers and writers, who can share their passion for what is usually a solitary activity. And this weekend, we will all be doing non-solitary activities together when readers and writers converge on CIGI, the Walper Hotel and the Jazz Room to talk about the art of blogging, poetry, prose and publication.
Author Michael Winter
Literary dazzlers such a Michael Winter, Helen Humpreys, Wayne Johnston and Andrew Pyper, and literary blogger Kerry Clare will be talking about the art and science of what they do, with some jazz and a brunch thrown in.
If you are looking for me this weekend, you know where to find me. Hope to see you there.
Red leather booth 