The ninth edition of Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival is fast approaching, with events set to take place Thursday, Nov. 3 to Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Holiday Inn Sudbury.
The festival, which is a celebration of the written word, includes three days of sessions for readers, writers and lovers of words. The festival is hybrid again with all four masterclasses and 15 sessions being offered in-person and live streamed featuring over 25 authors.
Highlights for this year’s festival include Louise Halfe, ninth Parliamentary poet laureate, back in Sudbury to start the festival off. She will be reading with five of Greater Sudbury’s own past and present poet laureates: Kim Fahner, Tom Leduc, Chloe Laduchesse, Vera Constantineau and Kyla Heyming. Discover why a poet laureate is important to any community.
“Literary festivals across Canada have transformed over the pandemic but one thing is for sure, our audiences are eager to get back together,” said Heather Campbell, festival director, in a press release.
“All of our invited guest artists are joining us in person but we will still have live streaming for those unable to attend in person for whatever reason.”
Masterclasses include craft building sessions for editing, writing multiple genres and creating and performing spoken word poetry. David Delisca, poet/actor will be leading a masterclass on Spoken Word and Poetry Slam on Thursday afternoon.
Masterclasses are a great opportunity for writers to learn from seasoned writers and sessions are only $30 or $15 for students and those on fixed incomes.
“We have a mix of authors who live and write in Northern Ontario and authors from across Canada,” said Campbell.
Northern Ontario authors include award-winning multigenre author Danielle Daniel with her debut best selling adult novel “Daughters of the Deer” and her debut young adult novel “Forever Birchwood.”
Those coming to Sudbury for the festival include Indigenous multi-genre award winning author David A. Robertson (“Theory of Crows”), Aimee Wall, author/translator (“We, Jane”), Amy Jones (“We’re All In This Together”), Farzana Doctor (“Seven”), Shani Mootoo (“Polar Vortex”) and Ali Hassan, host of CBC Canada Reads, comedian and author.
Hassan will also be performing with the Laugh Out Loud Comedy festival on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 9 p.m. at Little Montreal’s.
Those wanting to find out more about the traditional publishing industry can participate in the From Inside CanLit session with a rights agent, publisher, festival director and author.
The winners of the annual Youthwords Writing Contest will be announced at the festival opening on Thursday, Nov. 3. Winners receive a cash prize and publication in The Sudbury Star.
The annual Open Mic, in partnership with Fierté Sudbury Pride and Black Lives Matter Sudbury will be held on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Holiday Inn and offers a stage to share new material.
A bookshop will be available at the Holiday Inn along with author signings. Tickets range from an All Access Pass for $130 or $100 for students and those on fixed incomes to $20 for individual sessions.
For more information about all of the activities planned and purchasing tickets, visit www.wordstocksudbury.ca.
