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Wallflowers is a debut collection of 17 virtuosic short stories from a 27-year-old Canadian. Eliza Robertson, who was born in Canada but now lives in Britain, says she is drawn to “a particular, slanted reality.” Her intriguing stories deal with themes of moving on from loss, finding love, and achieving intimacy.  Great review from NY … Read more

Donald Gutstein is a SFU adjunct professor in the School of Communication and co-director of NewsWatch Canada, a media-monitoring project. He taught in the areas of news media, propaganda analysis and documentary research. His concerns are to understand how and why the Right is winning the war of ideas and to encourage the Left to … Read more

Renowned Canadian author Michael Crummey coming next week! We are excited to have an islander from Atlantic Canada join us for next week’s festival. Newfoundlander Michael Crummey is a nationally respected poet and novelist who writes on themes of hard work, harsh climate, and ironic humour to describe the disappearing rural life in his province. … Read more

Moderator Jo-Ann Roberts of CBC Radio fame is joined by distinguished poet and novelist Aislinn Hunter, rising literary star Eliza Robertson and sparkling young slam poet Siling Zhang to consider the creative forces that inspire their stories. Friday, July 17, 7:30-9:30 Community Hall Jo-Ann Roberts is a veteran journalist, best known as the previous host of … Read more

Vancouver poet Renee Saklikar is a lawyer who did advocacy work for families of the Air India tragedy, then later turned to writing to express the stories of those involved in the event. Her book, children of air india: un/authorized exhibits and interjections, is also a personal story for Renee who lost her aunt and … Read more

Siling Zhang – Slam Poetry performance and “Poetic Tangents” workshop Coming to us from Vancouver’s Slam Poetry competitions, Siling Zhang will bring her dynamic and creative performance to Denman during the festival. Preview her performance by following this link.  There will also be a chance to attend her workshop titled “Poetic Tangents” which you can … Read more

The father renowned Canadian folk singer Bob Bossin knew while growing up in Toronto in the 1950s was a quiet, conservative booking agent.  The father he subsequently discovered was Davy the Punk, a pivotal figure in Canada’s gambling business of the 30s and 40s, whose trials and tribulations with the law created precedents that affect … Read more

Aislinn Hunter, one of the authors coming to the Readers and Writers Festival in July, has been named the winner of the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize for 2015.  This is the top award for BC fiction writers. Her novel, “The World Before Us” has received critical acclaim.  She will be reading from this book at a solo … Read more

Stewart Goodings From Charles Dickens to George Orwell to James Baldwin to Naomi Klein, writers have been including social and political messages in their prose.  Whether in novels or non-fiction books, the urge to change the world, or a part of it, has always been an element of the creative process. And at this year’s … Read more