Fall 2015 Preview Part I: Edmonton Literary Festivals and Events
So much for a preview: these festivals are underway! Get out there, #yeg.
LitFest
This will be my third LitFest and I’m most looking forward to the Femme Memoir Hour event, featuring local memoirist Miji Campbell (I’ll review her book Separation Anxiety,) Aspen Matis (I’ll review her memoir Girl in the Woods which, between the on-trend “Girl” title and the Lena Dunham endorsement, is sure to be huge,) and Ann Walmsley (just added to the roster, author of The Prison Book Club, which sounds a lot more interesting than Orange is the New Black,) and moderated by Edmonton’s own Liz Withey and Laverne. See you there on Saturday October 24, 1:00 PM, downtown library.
Check out the whole lineup here, get your tickets for headliner Jon Ronson, and peruse these events that caught my eye:
- Free Word on the Square events taking place Tuesdays at lunchtime in Churchill Square Sept. 15 through Oct. 6. Follow #wordonthesquare for schedule & updates.
- Free lunch time events Take Back Your Food Thursday October 15 and Gender Talks Friday October 16, both at noon, both at CBC Centre Stage, which is in the downtown mall just before you get to Winners.
- Just Words #MMIW October 18 at 2:00 PM at the downtown library – social justice writers “discuss the challenges, setbacks, and struggle to find justice for Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women.”
- Wab Kinew launches The Reason You Walk October 19 at 6:00 PM, Garneau Theatre.
STARFest
It’s too late; you already missed Lawrence Hill. Now, make haste! Tickets are sellin’ fast. I could just list every event but here are my must-sees:
- Sandra Gulland, Friday October 16, 7:00 PM, Forsyth Hall: The Josephine B. Trilogy was one of my first historical fiction loves. Those titles, for one thing. It’s been many years, but I recall something YA about them (and I guess I was a Young Adult back then too,) but these books are certified classics, no matter the category.
- Clare Cameron, Wednesday Oct. 21, 7:00 PM Forsyth Hall: Cameron broke my heart and put it back together again with The Bear. I’m just going to try and not make a fool of myself when I meet her.
- Heather O’Neill, Friday October 23, 7:00 Forsyth Hall: Lullabies for Little Children is one of those reading experiences I can remember in such vivid detail – not just the book, but where I was (on holiday with family,) what I was doing (ignoring family,) and part of the reason I haven’t picked up her subsequent books is I’m afraid to break that spell. I might be convince to try, though.
Readings and Bookclubs and more
- Check Audrey’s and YegWrites for plenty of readings, including Jennifer Quist reading from Sistering on September 29.
- Upcoming #yegbookclub picks are Every Blade of Grass by Thomas Wharton on September 14, and Love Letters of the Angels of Death by Jennifer Quist on September 21. Join the chat on Twitter at 7:00 PM. Both books are heartbreaking and beautiful.
Reading in Bed 
This makes me wish I was in Edmonton… I did add a couple of books to me list, though. 🙂
Have fun at the events!
What an amazing line up of events! I’m dying to hear what you think of Girl in the Woods. I read it a few weeks ago and loved it!
Wow the StarFest has an incredible lineup of authors coming per their site. I wouldnt mind seeing Chris Hadfield, Heather O’Neill, Sean Michaels and maybe Lori Lansens too. But alas, I likely won’t get to the Edmonton area for them. O’Neill’s novel The Girl Who Was Saturday Night is a refreshing and terrific read, unique. She’s quite a talent. I’m down here in Cowgary and will go to a lot of the upcoming WordFest where I plan to hear Lawrence Hill in a couple weeks. I will give the lowdown on my site of the talks. cheers.