EDEN MILLS – The Eden Mills Writers’ Festival (EMWF) has announced its festival Sunday schedule.
The long-established event runs from noon to 6pm on Sept. 11 in Eden Mills and will include a full afternoon of programming for both adults and children featuring more than 40 authors.
“We’re thrilled to be back in the village of Eden Mills,” said artistic director Nicola Dufficy. “The community is very supportive of the festival and it’s wonderful to connect with them in person once again.”
Dufficy said attendees can expect panel discussions, readings and interviews with more than 40 Canadian authors, adding “we think our audience will leave the event with a big reading list.”
She noted there will be something catered to every reader, with authors offering a range of genres including literary fiction, historical fiction, memoir, thrillers, romance, poetry, picture books, middle-grade fiction and more.
Event attendees are invited to explore the ebb and flow of family life with authors Jamie Chai Yun Liew, Lisa Moore and David A. Robertson, who present their evocative new novels as part of Kim Lang’s Set: In the Family, an Aug. 11 press release notes.
The festival is an annual tradition for many, Dufficy explained, and organizers and volunteers are looking forward to welcoming audiences back.
“We’ve heard from so many people how happy they are that the festival has returned,” she said. “It’s a magical event, so warm, welcoming and laid-back.
“I think attendees recognize how unique it is, and really treasure the opportunity to participate.”
Samantha M. Bailey, Jennifer Hillier and C.S. O’Cinneide will be on hand to discuss the power of the unreliable narrator and introduce their set Who Can You Trust?, hosted by Guelph Public Library CEO Steven Kraft.
“Writing the Environment” is presented in partnership with the Guelph Institute for Environmental Research (GIER).
Audiences can join Merilyn Simonds and Julia Zarankin to hear how the science and art of birding, along with the act of writing about it, requires deep intelligence, curiosity and leaps of creativity. The conversation will be moderated by GIER director Madhur Anand.
In The Unconventional Detective, authors Kelley Armstrong, Ian Hamilton and Nita Prose will discuss the detective trope in fiction, how their characters break the mould, and what tricks they employ when crafting page-turners.
Across the village, Martha Bátiz, Chelene Knight and Heather O’Neill will discuss how they brought the compelling female characters in their new books to life in Her Story.
“I really love introducing audiences to debut authors,” Dufficy said of what she’s most looking forward to.
“So for me, I’m especially excited to introduce attendees to authors such as Jamie Chai Yun Liew, Amita Parikh and Sheila Murray. Trust me, their books are phenomenal,” she added.
Dufficy noted she’s also looking forward to the children’s presentations, the poetry readings and “some really amazing panels.
Children’s programming includes presentations by illustrator Carmen Mok and writer Deborah Kerbel, storytelling with Brad Woods, music with Mr. J, and much more.
Presenting authors will be available to sign copies of their books following their respective sets, and all books will be offered for sale from the festival’s bookselling partner, The Bookshelf.
“Everyone involved in the organization of the festival is so excited to gather together and celebrate this thing we all love, which is books,” she said.
“After three years of online programming, it’s thrilling to gather in person with kindred spirits, enjoying the outdoors, and listening to these brilliant, talented writers.”
The full schedule can be found at emwf.ca. Advance tickets are available at a reduced rate until Aug. 31.
