Organizers of the Word on the Lake Writers Festival have announced the names of the presenters for this year’s event.
One of B.C.’s largest writers’ festivals, the event takes place in Salmon Arm May 19 to 21.
“Once again the calibre and variety of presenters this year is exceptional,” said festival chair Kay Johnston. “This speaks well for the reputation that the festival has earned during its 14 years with both attendees and presenters”
Johnston, who is also the president of the Shuswap Association of Writers, which organizes the event, credits the diversity and quality of festival workshops for it being selected recently by British Columbia Magazine as one of the province’s best book festivals.
“The festival strives to ensure that every attendee and presenter feels welcome, included and able to take advantage of all of the festival’s opportunities,” said Johnston. “This is what has made it the largest writers’ festival in the province outside of the Lower Mainland.”
The festival takes place at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort and Okanagan College. It is a festival for every kind of writer from absolute beginners to the experienced.
“Join us for an exciting and fun weekend of meeting other writers and writing,” said Johnston.
The roster of presenters for the festival includes:
· Gail Anderson-Dargatz – author of the new best seller Spawning Grounds, a renowned writer of literary fiction
· Lorelei Fiset – social marketing specialist
· Jacqueline Guest – international award winner, writer of popular young adult fiction. Recipient of the Order of Canada 2017.
· Blu & Kelly Hopkins – acoustic musicians & songwriters. Winners of BCIMA Awards for 2007 2008. Blu & Kelly Hopkins are a songwriting multi-instrumentalist duo. Focusing on original material, they will be leading a lyrics writing workshop.
· Theresa Kishkan – multi-award winner. One of B.C.’s most respected and well known authors of 13 books of poetry, three novels (literary fiction), a memoir & novellas. Creator of Fish Gotta SwimPublishing, specializing in the novella.
· Myrna Kostash – writer of non-fiction, creative non-fiction, essayist, contributor to diverse magazines. Writer of radio dramas documentary TV & film, play scripts and theatre cabaret. Professor of journalism and winner of numerous awards.
· Halli Lilburn – author of young adult fiction, steam punk and fantasy.
· George Opacic – director of the Federation of B.C. Writers, specializing in the business aspects of writing.
· Anna Comfort O’Keeffe – managing editor for Douglas & McIntyre
· Cea Sunrise Person –author of North of Normal, specializing in memoir.
· Patrick Taylor –author of six best selling Irish Country books, including An Irish Country Doctor, An Irish Country Village. His new book, An Irish Country Love Story, was published in October, 2016.
· John Vaillant – author of two nonfiction books The Golden Spruce, a top 10 seller since its publication, and The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival. His first novel is The Jaguar’s Children.
· Sheri-D Wilson – performance poet, award-winning author of 11 books, creator of four short films. Wilson has released three albums, combining music and poetry and has performed throughout the western world and South Africa.
Registration is scheduled to open Feb. 28. For more information, visit, www.wordonthelakewritersfestival.com.
Young writers can still enter contest
The deadline for the 10th annual Young Writers Contest is approaching.
Those between the ages of five and 18 years old, and who are students in School Districts 22 and 83 are welcome to submit a short story or poem to the contest.
There are prizes for the top three in four age categories. An increased word count is permitted for older students this year.
Sponsored by the Shuswap Association of Writers, the contest closing date is April 11.
For complete details, visit shuswapassociationofwriters.ca or email, childrenswritingcontest@gmail.com.
