Writer's festivals

Working the Circuit

Jean Chrétien may have inspired the term “Shawinigan Handshake” during the fallout of his protestor-wrangling saga in 1996 – but these days you can call the former PM, the circuit breaker.

He’s making the rounds as marquee name at the big writer’s festivals this fall. You’d think he’s done this kind of thing before.

In fact, politicians and writers aren’t often far apart. Festival season shows us just what they have in common: having to keep an audience rapt while reading eye-glazers (in the form of policy reports, or novels); shaking hands, posing for photos and generally getting out there to share their brilliant thoughts.

Chrétien’s 452-page book, My Years As Prime Minister, is being published by Knopf and goes on sale October 16, 2007. He’ll be at the following festivals:

• The Ottawa International Writers Festival running October 13-21.
• The Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival, running October 16-21.

Other literary festivals

Meanwhile, there are other star authors with long-awaited books coming out this fall.

They include Elizabeth Hay, whose book Late Nights on Air tells the tale of radio staff at a Yellowknife station in the 1970s.

Naomi Klein’s long-awaited book The Shock Doctrine follows her massive best-seller No Logo.

She and Hay can be found at some of the following festivals:

• The Word on the Street hosts its 18th annual event on September 30th in Toronto. It is the largest annual outdoor festival covering the publishing industry, including the book and magazine trades. 

• The Winnipeg International Writers Festival runs from September 23rd to 30th and features a book chat with Gil Adamson and Shauna Singh Baldwin. 

• The International Festival of Authors takes place at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto from October 17-27. 

• BookFest Windsor, running from November 2nd to 4th, takes place at the edge of the Detroit River.

• The Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival takes place from October 9th to14th and features Ray Robertson, Elizabeth Hay and Naomi Klein, among others.

Festival bets: A guide to the best

Many festival websites offer mini bios for each author, though the following sites offer deeper insight along with reviews for current Canadian releases.

• The Word on the Street web site offers links and information on the Toronto literary scene. Insider blogs offer tips and backgrounder info on authors and events. 

• The Danforth Review offers information on up-and-coming authors. Crosscheck author listings against the magazine’s reviews. 

• Quill & Quire is a trove of news, reviews, and publishing backgrounders for the bona fide lit geek. 

• The Globe and Mail’s books section offers summarized reviews from the print-version of its weekly review section.

By Fateema Sayani, September 2007