Ten Thompson-Okanagan writers are about to share their craft and writing expertise at the inaugural Spoke Literary Festival in Vernon.
The festival, taking place Aug. 19-21 at the Caetani Cultural Centre, is for anyone new to writing, whether a closet novelist, an aspiring script writer, or a published poet.
“Vernon’s been waiting for a literary festival like Spoke Literary Festival for years,” said John Lent, writer and former creative writing teacher at Okanagan College. “There is such a need for this kind of high-end experience here, and now it’s finally happening.”
Festival participants will be able to attend four workshops from an eclectic range, each one focused on either fiction, poetry, nonfiction, playwriting, mixed genre, or expressive writing.
Workshop facilitators include Natalie Appleton, Jeremy Beaulne, Hannah Calder, Michelle Doege, Kerry Gilbert, Gary Gottfriedson, Sean Johnston, Laisha Rosnau, Adam Lewis Schroeder and Sharon Thesen, who all bring years of experience in writing, editing and publishing.
“The truth is you would be hard-pressed to attend a literary festival anywhere else in Canada this summer that would offer such an outstanding spectrum of professional writers as teachers and mentors,” said Lent. “Writers should register early because there will be a rush for seats.”
Workshop participants will also be invited to attend three literary and social gatherings to meet with other writers, including a feature public reading by the facilitators.
The event is being hosted by Vernon’s Spoke Literary Collective, a group of seven women writers who have been working together since 2013.
“As a writing group, we support and encourage each other in our writing endeavors and create a space where the writing life is valued and supported,” said Spoke member Kerry Gilbert.
“For Spoke Literary Festival 2016, we have invited only writers that live and work in the area – from Penticton to Kamloops – as we value the importance of showcasing local talent.”
Cost of the four workshops and three social gatherings is $175, which includes the public reading by the workshop facilitators, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Vernon library.
Registrants are accepted on a first come, first served basis, with a maximum of 40 participants.
For more information and to register, visit www.spokefestival.com.