The 2019 Festival of Words is underway, with another phenomenal collection of workshops, panels, readings, and competitions featuring an impressive selection of Canadian literary names.
From poets to musicians, cookbooks to graphic novelists, the four-day schedule includes a chance to be immersed in whatever literary genre or medium interests you most. Spread across a number of venues, the Festival of Words invites everyone to take a look at what’s going on and join in.
Here’s a few highlights to consider attending this weekend:
Thursday morning will begin with several workshops to help aspiring authors hone their craft. Jillian Tamaki is bringing her expertise in graphic novels to the Public Library with a free comic-making workshop from 9am until noon, with a few other notable workshop sessions taking place simultaneously as well.
In the afternoon, crime-enthusiasts can join in a book club with Peter Robinson about his crime novel Careless Love. The first day will conclude with a showing of the 2017 drama The Bookshop, at the Mae Wilson Theatre, followed by Readception — a marathon of mini-readings from an array of authors.
Friday morning has individual panels with authors going on from 9am to noon, in various locations around the city. Following will be an interview with Dave Williams, astronaut and non-fiction novelist, by Maryse Carmichael, this first female pilot with the Snowbirds.
Trivia Night at Bobby’ Place will return, getting started at 6pm with a fish and chip dinner and the Author Auction. The evening will close out with the Poetry Slam Competition at the Mae Wilson Theatre, featuring a pay-what-you-can admission that is new this year.
Saturday begins with a dramatic reading of Yvette Nolan’s The Art of War, and the Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association will host a blanket exercise in Crescent Park once again this year.
At 4pm, Jael Richardson will interview prize-winning author Eden Robinson in a feature sure to be worth sitting in on, and Sierra Noble will take the stage at the Mae Wilson Theatre at 8:30pm with her Canadian musical charm.
Wrapping up the weekend, Sunday morning will begin with the annual Breakfast and Panels event, followed by public panel discussions on how to market your own books and how to structure a book in the best possible way.
As always, there are numerous other events going on over the weekend, a full schedule for which can be found at the Saskatchewan Festival of Words website.
Stay tuned for coverage of the festival as it progresses through the weekend.
