Thursday, October 8, 2015

We’re already looking ahead to Festival 2016 – and so should you!


Does May 2016 seem just too far away?

Not to us!

The Festival committee is already hard at work, talking to authors, looking for sponsors (Interested? Let us know!), making some changes and getting excited about what is going to be a fantastic afternoon of books, readings and schmoozing in literary luxury on Sunday, May 29 in Aboyne Hall at the Wellington County Museum and Archives. 

We’ve already lined up two terrific authors. (Keep reading…)

And we’re talking about hosting our second annual Books & Beer event this winter too. Details TBA.

Okay, so, Festival 2016:

We’re changing up the format a bit. No more standing like wallflowers at a dance, gathered awkwardly around the perimeter of the hall, trying to juggle wine glasses, delicious snacks and a coherent Q&A with the authors during the post-reading reception. This year, our five authors will take over the stage – together! – for the last session of the afternoon.

Don’t worry – there will be food! But this year you’ll be able to sit comfortably and enjoy the fun. And yes, there will still be lots of opportunities to chat with the authors, up close and personal, throughout the afternoon.

As soon as last year’s festival ended, the committee was already talking about who to invite this year, and there was one name we all agreed on: a two-time presenter, a wonderful reader, and a terrific author too! Stephen Leacock Award-winner Terry Fallis will join us for the third time (apparently he loves coming to Elora as much as we love having him!). His latest comic novel, Poles Apart, comes out October 20.



We’ve also lined up Douglas Gibson, editor, publisher and author of the memoir Across Canada by Story: A Coast-to-Coast Literary Adventure (which, incidentally, is also a stage show) to share his insider knowledge of the Canadian literary icons he’s worked with over the course of a 40-year career in publishing. (Will he dish some dirt on his friend Terry Fallis? We shall see...)

Our committee said good-bye to long-time members Patricia Reimer and David Campbell, but new faces have joined us around the table, and new ideas are burbling. We’ll introduce our revamped committee soon.

Some things will not change, of course: our commitment to providing an afternoon of entertaining, thought-provoking readings by Canadian authors; our invitation to meet the authors face-to-face and buy their books at our on-site Festival bookstore (provided by Roxanne’s Reflections of Fergus); and our promise that you’ll have a unique and rewarding afternoon as part of the best little literary festival in Ontario (OK. Bragging a little….!)

And don’t forget the EWF Writing Contest! Some things are untouchable, and the contest falls into that category. Writers of all ages – get working on those short stories. We’ll kick things off later this fall.

It’s October and we’re already looking ahead to May 29, 2016. Hope you are too.

Feeling nostalgic? Here's a look back...


Author Brad Smith (right) on the Q&A hot seat with Festival quizmaster,
Dave Beynon at January's Books & Beer event at the Drew House in Elora.


Mystery writer Ian Hamilton in action at the 2015 Festival (later we surprised him
with a chorus of Happy Birthday and big, very big, cake...)




At Festival 2015, Kim Moritsugu left us laughing - during her reading,
and later in the Q&A.


In 2014, graphic novelist Scott Chantler wowed us with his tales
of war heroes.



Hey! Isn't that Terry Fallis (far right)? Yup. The year was 2013, and Terry
was making his second appearance at our festival. Here, he's joined
by fellow authors (left to right) Carrie Snyder, Robert Rotenberg and
Festival Contest sponsor, Ron MacKinnon.