For Immediate Release: September 30, 2013
Media Contact:
Karen Stewart, Chair, Steering Committee
Alice Munro Writers & Readers Festival
519-523-4328
Alice Munro Writers and Readers Festival:
Festival’s 2013 Weekend Events – A Great Success
The renewed Alice Munro Writers and Readers Festival hosted over 220 guests at their events this past weekend, including two from the United Kingdom. The Ochera’s from London, England combined their visit to the Festival with a visit with family in Massachusetts. Included in the 111 story submissions, the judges also reviewed two entries in the Short Story Competition this year from Somerset, Great Britain. Ms. Munro’s stories have been translated into more than a dozen languages and her work has been published in the New Yorker magazine as well as a number of anthologies over the course of her career
The Alice Munro Writers and Readers Festival encourages emerging writers and celebrates storytelling and reading through unique events in venues across North Huron, using the communities of Wingham where Alice grew up and the Village of Blyth as locations for learning about her work and writing skills development.
Melanie Chambers, a travel and food writer and instructor at London’s Western University, kicked off the day with an energizing workshop on Editing skills in the Bainton Gallery in Blyth. Then, 37 guests enjoyed On Reading Alice Munro, an intimate examination of a selection of Alice’s stories and her skills by three dynamic panellists – Mary Wolfe, Kim Jernigan, and Gary Draper. John Cull moderated. Following a hearty lunch prepared by the Blyth Inn, more than 50 guests enjoyed Peggy Coffey’s presentation of the experiences of the women belonging to the Women’s Institute in “I was Born” in the Phillips Studio in Blyth.
Next on the day’s agenda Festival participants went to Wingham where Munro fans visited the North Huron Museum where docents highlighted the Alice Munro Collection housed there. In the vintage television station at CKNX radio Marion de Vries, Artistic Director at the Blyth Festival, hosted “Reading Aloud Allowed in Huron.” This fun event was an opportunity for creative writers to share their work with an appreciative audience. Music, poetry, comedy, non-fiction and fiction writing was showcased in this open mic event.
To cap off this exciting day of literary engagement, nearly 80 guests gathered at the Wingham Golf Course for the Gala evening. Nine of the 10 finalists read from their short story competition entries. The tenth finalist presented via recorded video. Cash prizes and complimentary copies of Alice Munro’s “Dear Life” were awarded to the top five youth and top five adult writers. The books were donated and presented by the Huron County Library.
Winning stories can be read on the website at alicemunrofestival.ca. Lyrical music on the harp and flute was provided by Sharon and Kate Johnston of Goderich and guests enjoyed a hearty Harvest Dinner. Renowned Canadian writer and teacher Wayson Choy shared his thoughts on writing, his successful career and how Alice Munro has both influenced and inspired his writing. “We have no meaning in life unless we have our stories,” he shared as he encouraged the writers to always speak from their truth, and honestly share their stories. He added that it takes tremendous courage to capture and create an honest story but these are the stories that people want to read.
"We try to keep the festival simple, inclusive, relaxed and fun in keeping with the atmosphere of the communities,” says Committee Chair Karen Stewart. “I think our guests, who came from as far as England, London (Ontario), Fergus and Etobicoke embraced our hospitality and enjoyed new experiences and shared their enthusiasm for Alice Munro’s work as well as celebrating emerging Canadian authors.”
Plans are now underway for the 2014 Alice Munro Writers and Readers Festival. to be held Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28. “We look forward to building this unique festival, to add learning options as well as opportunities for writers to present their works to a live audience. We will continue to explore the works of Alice Munro and encourage participation in the pleasures of reading.” concluded Karen Stewart, speaking on behalf of the volunteer steering committee members.
Benmiller Inn and Spa hosted special guest and keynote speaker Wayson Choy during his stay in Huron County – Ontario's West Coast and Alice's country.
The Alice Munro Readers and Writers Festival is generously supported by the Township of North Huron. Special thanks to our sponsors including Blyth Festival, CKNX Radio, Howick Mutual Insurance, Huron County Library and Cultural Services, Royal Homes and Stainton's Home Hardware.
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L-Wayson Choy with Mary Wolfe and Beth Ross