Words Alive author reading
Sharon, ON
The Words Alive Literary Festival is back at the Sharon Temple on Sunday, September 21st. This family friendly event is a celebration of Canada’s rich literary heritage and provides a showcase for authors, storytellers, poets, and musicians.
“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 Karolyn Smartz Frost writing about the Underground Railroad, to the paranormal worlds of Kelley Armstrong. I hope everyone will be inspired by wandering the Temple grounds listening to storytellers and musicians.”
“Poetry plays an important role in the Words Alive Festival,” says Stone, with readings from award winning poets Barry Dempster, bill bissette, Allan Briesmaster, and Maureen Scott Harris. Aspiring poets can also participate in the On-the-Spot Poetry Contest for the chance to win great prizes.
The jam-packed schedule includes workshops for writers, such as “What an Agent Can Do for You” by literary agent, Marie Campbell. Editor Allyson Latta will conduct a workshop on memoir writing. Storytellers Heather Whaley, Fay Wilkinson, Brenda Byers and Jim Blake will be weaving their tales throughout the day.
Words Alive is a literary festival like no other. The beautiful and historic Sharon Temple is located just 40 minutes north of Toronto and proudly plays host for again for the second annual festival. Admission is $4, although children under 16 are free, as is parking. For more on the festival, visit http://www.wordsalive.ca
Speakers and Performers at the Festival Include:
o Allan Briesmaster – poet and publisher
o Allyson Latta – literary editor conducting a memoir workshop
o Anthony De Sa – “…an astonishing talent,” says Wayson Choy
o Barry Dempster – award-winning poet and author
o Beverley Stone – reading from her acclaimed debut novel
o bill bissette – unconventional, perhaps anti-conventional, poet
o Brenda Byers – director for Storywyse Oral Tradition Storytelling
o Christopher Dewdney – award-winning poet and author
o Fay Wilkinson – masked storyteller extraorindaire
o Heather Whaley – storyteller and singer/songwriter
o Jim Blake –curator of “Fabled City – the Lost Stories of Toronto”
o Karolyn Smartz Frost – archaeologist, historian and author
o Katherine Belrose – presenting the Forgotten Voices of East Gwillimbury
o Kelley Armstrong – author of the NYT bestselling Otherworld paranormal suspense series
o Kim Michele – musical troubadour
o Marie Campbell – literary agent with over 20 years experience in the publishing industry
o Marina Cohen – children’s author
o Mary Swan – winner of the O. Henry Award
o Maureen Jennings – creator of the famed Detective Murdock series
o Maureen Scott Harris – Trillium Prize-winning poet and essayist
o Menaka Thakkar – internationally renowned classical Indian dancer
o Peter Unwin – author of the acclaimed Nine Bells for Man
o Sommerset – a Celtic quartet with a melodious and distinct sound
o Uma Parameswaran – author of the acclaimed Mangoes on the Maple Tree
o Valentino Assenza – engaging spoken word performer and Words Alive emcee
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Contacts:
Karen Henderson (local media)
(905) 953-4081
info@wordsalive.ca
Edward Fenner (major media)
(416) 736-2100 x 40635
efenner@yorku.ca
http://www.wordsalive.ca
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
