EDEN MILLS – Officials say the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival (EMWF) strives to present literary events that resonate deeply, ignite imaginations and reveal worlds previously unknown.
In 2021 and 2022, in lieu of the annual outdoor festival in the village of Eden Mills, the EMWF provided free access to a diverse and engaging series of virtual events that connected readers and writers across the country.
With funding recently received from the Government of Ontario, the EMWF will continue to offer online programming this winter, with three new Book of the Month events scheduled for January, February and March. All events are free and include closed captioning.
On Jan. 26 at 7pm, award-winning author Myriam J. A. Chancy will join host Bee Quammie for a discussion about her novel What Storm, What Thunder, a fictional account of the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, described by the Washington Post as “a stunning commentary on racism, sexual violence, capitalism and the resilience required to rebuild a life.”
On Feb. 23 at 7pm, acclaimed historian Rosemary Sullivan joins Deborah Dundas, the Toronto Star’s books editor, to share The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation.
The non-fiction book is an account of the investigation into the mystery that has haunted generations since the Second World War. Who betrayed Anne Frank and her family? And why?
Wrapping up the series is beloved Canadian author Helen Humphreys, who will be interviewed by Susan G. Cole on March 16 at 7pm, about her newest release And a Dog Called Fig.
The memoir, a story of companionship, loss and creativity, explores Humphrey’s life as a writer through the dogs she has lived with and loved over a lifetime, culminating with the recent arrival and settling in of Fig, a Vizsla puppy.
Following each event, Guelph Public Library will host a post-event book club discussion, providing event attendees with the opportunity to discuss the book further with fellow readers.
The EMWF is partnering with booksellers across the country for this event series and copies of the books featured can be purchased at Magic Pebble Books (Elora), The Bookshelf (Guelph), Words Worth Books (Kitchener-Waterloo), Octopus Books (Ottawa), Another Story Bookshop (Toronto), McNally Robinson Booksellers (Saskatoon and Winnipeg) and Black Bond Books (Lower Mainland, B.C.
Further details can be found at emwf.ca.
