Billing itself as “the biggest book launch on the West Coast,” the second annual Powell River Writer’s Festival serves as a launching ramp for several author’s book tours April 15 – 17.
Featuring a writing contest, workshops, food, a literary trade fair, food, readings, silent auction, more food and a banquet, this weekend promises to be a feast both figuratively and actually.
From the kickoff literary trade fair and Meet the Authors event at 7 pm Friday, April 15, to the Sunday publishers’ panel and announcement of the contest winners, the days are just packed. At $175 for the whole weekend (or $90 for Saturday only, $75 for Sunday only) including all meals, this is a real bargain for writers and readers. Full details and registration are available online at www.prmicro.com/festivalofwriters for the festival. Aspiring writers may also register online for the contest (theme: “And the burning question is…”) before April 9. There’s no age limit to submit up to 16 lines of poetry or 500 words of prose and the entry fee is the price of a Starbuck’s latte – just $5.
For a fledgling event, the Powell River Writers Festival has drawn an interesting spectrum of presenters.
Award-winning author and poet Harold Rhenisch mines “ten years of literary isolation in the mountains” for the images found Living Will (to be launched at the Festival.) This translation of Shakespeare’s sonnets into the living language of the New World chronicles Shakespeare’s life, passions and vivid emotions in a passionate celebration of love and language. It also breathes audacious new life into his sonnets. A gifted editor, Rhenisch will lead the workshop Revision: The Second Literary Art. Learning to view one’s work with clear objectivity is “all about running with possibilities,” he says. From Victoria, Jay Ruzesky of Outlaw Editions Press will lead the workshop Working the Poetry Muscle. An award-winning poet of strong national significance (Roberts Creek’s Nightwood Editions Press brought out his Blue Himilayan Poppies in 2001) Ruzesky notes that “being a conduit for the poems of others is as important as writing for me.”
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Karleen Bradford writes for children and young adults, with more than 20 books to her credit. The beautifully-written Angeline follows the events and outcomes of the ill-starred Children’s Crusade and does not shy away from difficult topics, treating its readers with straightforward respect. Bradford’s workshop will highlight A Most Rewarding Challenge – Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Best known as a sports fishing writer/photographer (Maximum Salmon, 2004 and The Man Behind the Fish, 2005) Victoria Times-Colonist columnist Dennis Reid’s poetry and novels are internationally acclaimed. Reid will be leading a workshop on Freelancing in Two Hours.
The festival wraps up on Sunday with a Publishers Panel. Representatives from Talon Books and Victoria’s First Choice Books will be joined by the Sunshine Coast’s own Paul Blakey, founder of the Self-Publishers Club. Coast writers Natasha Rosewood, Jeanette Panagapka, and Geri Griever will also be among the festival participants.
Festival co-organizer Barb Rees will lead the Retreat 2 Write at the exquisite Desolation Sound Resort April 18 and 19. For more information on either event, contact her at 1.866.373.2607.
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